Sergei Pavlovich Vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta

The upcoming UFC matchup between Sergei Pavlovich and Waldo Cortes-Acosta is set to take place on August 23, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 257. This heavyweight clash carries significant stakes as both fighters are highly ranked in the UFC heavyweight division, with Pavlovich currently ranked #3 and Cortes-Acosta ranked #6.

Sergei Pavlovich vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta – Odds

Pavlovich is generally favored to win according to several predictions and betting analyses, with winning probabilities around 70%. Pavlovich is known for his striking power and knockout ability, which shapes the expectation that he might secure the victory via knockout – historically his most common method of winning. Play more numbers at Wisconsin Sportsbooks.

Cortes-Acosta, meanwhile, is considered a solid contender with a good mix of boxing and grappling skills, and he is seen as a tough opponent who could challenge Pavlovich’s dominance.

Regarding the likely method of victory, knockout remains the top expectation for Pavlovich due to his history of first-round knockout streaks. For Cortes-Acosta, the path to victory would more likely involve a mix of boxing-based striking and grappling to control the fight and potentially win by decision or a late stoppage.

Sergei Pavlovich is a seasoned heavyweight with a strong background in Combat Kung Fu, Greco-Roman wrestling, and Combat Sambo. He began his MMA career in 2014 and quickly rose to prominence by winning the Fight Nights Global heavyweight title before moving to the UFC. Known for his devastating striking, Pavlovich holds the longest first-round knockout win streak in UFC history and has an aggressive style that favors knockouts, with 15 of his 19 wins coming by way of knockout or technical knockout.

Waldo Cortes-Acosta, on the other hand, comes from a different sporting background, having originally played professional baseball and then transitioned into boxing and mixed martial arts in his mid-20s. He turned professional in MMA in 2018 and earned his UFC contract through a first-round TKO victory on Dana White’s Contender Series.

The storyline for this bout centers around a classic clash between Pavlovich, the powerful knockout artist with a well-rounded combat sports background and championship experience, and Cortes-Acosta, the athletic and technically skilled boxer with a steady rise through the ranks. This fight serves as a critical test for Cortes-Acosta to prove he belongs among the elite heavyweights, while Pavlovich is aiming to reaffirm his status as a top contender and push toward another title shot.

The bout is a critical one for both fighters, with Pavlovich aiming to reinforce his top contender status and Cortes-Acosta looking to make a statement to break into the elite ranks of the heavyweight division. This creates a compelling storyline for the fight on August 23, 2025, at UFC Fight Night in Shanghai.