UFC heavyweight Waldo Cortes-Acosta believes a victory over Derrick Lewis at UFC 324 may place him for a title shot on the historic White Home occasion scheduled for June 2026. The fifth-ranked contender outlined his championship timeline throughout an interview with Ariel Helwani, calling out each present champion Tom Aspinall and prime contender Ciryl Gane.
Cortes-Acosta faces Lewis on January 24 at T-Cell Enviornment in Las Vegas, marking his first bout on the venue after seven earlier fights within the metropolis. The Dominican heavyweight, who went 4 wins and one loss throughout 5 fights in 2025, expressed confidence about his place within the division as Aspinall recovers from eye surgical procedure.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta Eyes Tom Aspinall or Ciryl Gane After UFC 324, Targets White Home Title Shot
“How do I see subsequent yr? I see my yr being nicely,” Cortes-Acosta mentioned in an interview with Ariel Helwani. “I say if, thank God, the UFC offers me a title shot or offers me Ciryl or a type of quantity three or two guys, I see myself between Could or July preventing for the title. White Home, child. They are saying June, the White Home. I believe it’s a very good time for Tom Aspinall by June or July if he needs to combat.”
The 34-year-old particularly referenced the White Home occasion, which President Donald Trump confirmed will happen on June 14 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence. The cardboard represents the primary skilled sporting occasion staged on the presidential residence and is predicted to characteristic weigh-ins on the Lincoln Memorial.
Aspinall has been sidelined since his UFC 321 title protection in opposition to Gane led to a no-contest in October after an unintended eye poke. The British champion was recognized with bilateral traumatic Brown’s syndrome and underwent surgical procedure on his proper eye in early January, with a second operation scheduled for mid-January. UFC commentator Joe Rogan said on his podcast that Aspinall “might not ever combat once more” relying on the surgical procedure end result, although the champion has expressed dedication to return.
Cortes-Acosta acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Aspinall’s restoration timeline when discussing potential opponents. “I believe it’s a very good time for Tom Aspinall by June or July if he needs to combat for the title, however together with his surgical procedure I don’t know what the UFC needs to do,” he mentioned. “Possibly they make one title, perhaps they want somebody lively.”
The heavyweight contender indicated he would settle for a title alternative whatever the circumstances. “For me, if they provide it after Derrick, why not?” Cortes-Acosta mentioned. “Large combat, larger issues, larger every part, let’s go for it. We’re not afraid of no person.”
Gane at the moment holds the primary rating within the heavyweight division after his efficiency in opposition to Aspinall, regardless of the bout being dominated a no-contest. The Frenchman bloodied Aspinall early within the first spherical and was controlling the middle of the octagon earlier than the unintended double eye poke stopped the competition at 4:35 of spherical one.
Cortes-Acosta enters UFC 324 because the betting favourite in opposition to Lewis, who ranks eighth within the division. The combat seems on the primary card of the Paramount+ debut occasion, which options an interim light-weight title bout between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett in the primary occasion.
Lewis, 40, has competed within the UFC since 2014 and holds the promotion’s report for many heavyweight knockouts. The Houston native secured back-to-back victories in 2024 and 2025, stopping Rodrigo Nascimento and Tallison Teixeira. Nonetheless, Cortes-Acosta and his coach Javier Torres consider the veteran has handed his prime.
“I consider sure,” Torres mentioned when requested if Lewis is previous his prime. “I believe there was 5 years in the past was extra harmful. Proper now he like the cash fights.”
Cortes-Acosta has maintained an lively schedule since becoming a member of the UFC, compiling a 9-2 report within the promotion with 4 knockout victories. His current efficiency included back-to-back first-round knockouts in opposition to Ante Delija and Shamil Gaziev in November 2025, with each wins approaching brief discover. The streak pushed him to fifth within the rankings, the place he stays forward of Lewis.
