MMA Match Preview: Waldo Cortes-Acosta (14-2-0) vs. Ante Delija (26-6-0)
Venue & Fight Details
Event: UFC Fight Night 263
Location: UFC Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada
Time: 8:00 PM ET (Main Card)
Division: Heavyweight (265 lbs)
Broadcast: ESPN+
Injury Report
Waldo Cortes-Acosta: No reported injuries; cleared after August 2025 loss to Sergei Pavlovich.
Ante Delija: Healthy; enters after September 2025 TKO win over Marcin Tybura.
Fighter Matchups
Waldo Cortes-Acosta:
Style: Orthodox striker with high-volume output.
Strengths: 5.61 significant strikes landed per minute, durable chin, relentless pace.
Weaknesses: Limited grappling arsenal; no submission wins in career.
Ante Delija:
Style: Balanced heavyweight with grappling and KO power.
Strengths: 6 career submissions, strong clinch game, PFL champion experience.
Weaknesses: Durability at age 35 is a question; has been stopped in past losses.
Recent Form
Waldo Cortes-Acosta:
Loss – Sergei Pavlovich (UD, Aug 2025)
Win – Serghei Spivac (UD, UFC 316)
Win – Lukasz Brzeski (KO, 2024)
Ante Delija:
Win – Marcin Tybura (TKO, R1, Sep 2025)
Win – PFL 2023 Heavyweight Championship (UD vs. Denis Goltsov)
Win – Matheus Scheffel (TKO, 2023)
Fight History & Styles Clash
This is a volume striker vs. seasoned grappler/power puncher matchup:
Cortes-Acosta thrives on output and durability, often outlasting opponents in striking exchanges.
Delija brings finishing power and grappling versatility, with experience against elite heavyweights in PFL and UFC.
Expect Cortes-Acosta to push pace with boxing combinations, while Delija looks to close distance, clinch, and test Cortes-Acosta’s takedown defense.
Betting Trends
Cortes-Acosta: 5 of last 7 wins by decision; tends to go long.
Delija: 4 of last 5 wins by finish (TKO or SUB).
Totals: Cortes-Acosta fights often go Over; Delija fights trend Under due to finishing ability.
Head-to-Head: First meeting.
FIGHT ODDS
Waldo Cortes-Acosta + 130
Ante Delija – 150
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, October 31, 2025
