A pivotal heavyweight clash between Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Curtis Blaydes is in the works for Noche UFC 4 on Sept. 19.
The bout is being targeted for the event with the location still to be determined. The matchup was confirmed by Mike Heck and Damon Martin with sources with knowledge of the bout after it was first reported by MMA Junkie. Cortes-Acosta is currently ranked No. 7 in the heavyweight division, while Blaydes sits at No. 8.
Cortes-Acosta is coming off a strong 2025 campaign that saw him pick up five wins in six fights, including a second-round knockout over Derrick Lewis. He dropped a decision to Alexander Volkov at UFC 328 in his first appearance of 2026.
Blaydes has lost three of his past five fights and most recently went the distance with Josh Hokit at UFC 327, dropping a decision in a bout that earned both fighters a $100,000 Fight of the Night bonus.
