Waldo Cortes Acosta believes Johnny Walker is getting ahead of himself. Walker made a successful UFC heavyweight debut last month, but Cortes Acosta says the Brazilian knockout artist is in for a reality check when the two headline UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
The matchup is a short-notice opportunity for both men, though the stakes differ considerably. Cortes Acosta, the UFC's sixth-ranked heavyweight, risks his standing against an unranked opponent, while Walker can accelerate his climb up the division at the risk of moving too fast.
Cortes Acosta, a Dominican former professional baseball player, was not intimidated by Walker, especially after hearing what his opponent said about training with Alexander Volkov, the contender who beat Cortes Acosta earlier this year. 'What is he learning from Alexander Volkov? Kicking and running away for his life,' Cortes Acosta said. 'If this is what you're learning, I'll chase you anywhere. I prepare for people like you or him. I'm well prepared, and I'll go for your head.'
Cortes Acosta also dismissed Walker's debut victory over Mick Parkin as a fortunate introduction to the weight class, saying the Brazilian would be better served returning to light heavyweight. 'I think he'll have more success at light heavyweight than as a heavyweight,' he said. 'He got lucky to get a chance to fight Parkin first. Every other heavyweight would knock him out in the first round.. Now you have a real heavyweight.'
There is plenty at stake across the division as the year comes to a close. Ciryl Gane and Josh Hokit fight for the UFC heavyweight title next week at UFC 334, and whoever leaves Madison Square Garden with the belt will likely face the winner of Sergei Pavlovich vs. Alex Pereira at UFC 335 one month later.
Hokit forced his way into the MMA collective consciousness with crude remarks and bizarre media appearances, and his quick success inside the Octagon earned him the title shot. Before he blew past Cortes Acosta in the title picture, he had angled to fight the Dominican standout.
Cortes Acosta said he has confronted Hokit on two separate occasions, first for calling him out and later for mentioning his family. In the first encounter, he said, an intimidated Hokit apologized. 'I think I scared him that time because I finished a fight. I was ready to continue fighting,' Cortes Acosta said. 'He saw me and said, I'm sorry, man. I think you and I can make good money in the future.'
The second run-in was far less amicable. According to Cortes Acosta, Hokit doubled down on him after allegedly apologizing behind the scenes, this time referencing the fighter's nine children. The next time they crossed paths, Hokit had someone else to worry about. 'My wife wanted to fight with him,' Cortes Acosta said. 'She's one person who won't tolerate nothing from a woman or a man either.'
For now, Cortes Acosta's focus is on Walker, whom he meets on nine days' notice in what will be his ninth fight in less than two years. Flying to Las Vegas for an unranked opponent is a risky gamble, but he says that daring is exactly why the UFC called on him to headline the card. 'I say yes to any fighter who wants to fight me, or any fighter the UFC puts in there. I never say no,' he said. 'I risk everything every time I fight. It's normal for me. I've risked a lot of things in my life, but this is one of the things that has put me in the position I'm in now.'
