UFC heavyweight Waldo Cortez-Acosta believes a victory over Derrick Lewis at UFC 324 will give him a shot on the title on the historic White Home occasion scheduled for June 2026. The No. 5 ranked contender outlined his championship schedule in an interview with Ariel Helwani, naming each reigning champion Tom Aspinall and prime contender Cyril Gane.
Cortez-Acosta will face Ruiz on January twenty fourth at T-Cell Enviornment in Las Vegas, marking his first battle in the identical venue after seven earlier bouts within the metropolis. The Dominican heavyweight, who went 4-1 in 5 fights in 2025, expressed confidence in his place within the division as Aspinall recovers from eye surgical procedure.
Waldo Cortez-Acosta eyes Tom Aspinall or Cyril Gane for White Home title shot after UFC 324
“What is going to occur subsequent 12 months? I feel mine will probably be 12 months,” Cortez-Acosta stated in an interview with Ariel Helwani. “Fortunately, if the UFC provides me a title alternative, or provides me Cyril or one of many No. 3 or 2 guys, I feel I might see myself preventing for a title someday in Could or July. White Home, child. They are saying June is White Home. If Tom Aspinall desires to battle, I feel June or July can be time.”
The 34-year-old particularly talked about the White Home occasion that President Donald Trump confirmed will probably be held on June 14 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence. The cardboard marks the primary skilled sporting occasion to be held within the presidential mansion, with the weigh-in scheduled to happen on the Lincoln Memorial.
Aspinall has been sidelined since his UFC 321 title protection towards Gane in October led to a no-contest after he was by accident poked within the eye. The British champion was identified with bilateral traumatic Brown syndrome and underwent surgical procedure on his proper eye in early January, with a second surgical procedure scheduled for mid-January. UFC commentator Joe Rogan stated on his podcast that Aspinall “may by no means battle once more” relying on the result of the surgical procedure, however the champion expressed his dedication to return.
Coach Cortez-Acosta acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Aspinall’s restoration timeline when discussing potential opponents. “If Tom Aspinall desires to battle for the title, I feel June or July can be time, however I do not know what the UFC desires to do due to his surgical procedure,” he stated. “Possibly they’re going to make one title, perhaps they want somebody lively.”
The heavyweight challenger indicated he was keen to simply accept a title alternative whatever the circumstances. “For me, if they are going to provide it after the derrick, why not?” Cortez-Acosta stated. “Let’s go for the large battle, larger issues, larger every part. We’re not afraid of anybody.”
Regardless of the battle being dominated a no-contest, Gane presently holds the primary spot within the heavyweight rankings attributable to his efficiency towards Aspinall. The Frenchman bloodied Aspinall early within the first spherical and was in command of the middle of the octagon, however an unintended double eye bulge stopped the competition at 4:35 of the primary spherical.
Cortez-Acosta enters UFC 324 because the betting favourite towards Ruiz, who’s ranked No. 8 within the division. The bout will seem on the primary card of Paramount+’s debut occasion, which can function an interim light-weight title bout between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett in the primary occasion.
Lewis, 40, has been competing within the UFC since 2014 and holds the document for essentially the most knockouts within the heavyweight division. The Houston native gained back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025 by stopping Rodrigo Nascimento and Talison Teixeira. However Cortez Acosta and coach Javier Torres consider the veteran is previous his prime.
When requested if Lewis is previous his prime, Torres replied, “I feel so.” “I feel he was extra harmful 5 years in the past. Now he likes preventing for cash.”
Cortez Acosta has maintained an lively schedule since becoming a member of the UFC, posting a 9-2 document within the promotion with 4 knockouts. His latest performances embrace back-to-back first-round knockouts over Ante Delja and Shamil Gazzhiev in November 2025, each wins in brief order. This successful streak has seen him rise to fifth place within the rankings, nonetheless forward of Lewis.
