Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Curtis Blaydes set for UFC 331 on Sept. 19

Curtis Blaydes and Waldo Cortes-Acosta have been booked to meet in a heavyweight showdown at UFC 331 on September 19, adding a high-profile matchup to what figures to be a stacked card.

Blaydes, known as "Razor," enters the bout ranked fourth in the heavyweight division. The 35-year-old American out of Elevation Fight Team carries a 19-6 record and has built his reputation as one of the most relentless wrestlers in the weight class. Standing six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach, he averages an elite 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands 3.56 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy, a combination that has worn down opponents across his UFC tenure.

Cortes-Acosta, nicknamed "Salsa Boy," comes in ranked tenth at heavyweight with a 17-3 record. The 34-year-old also stands six-foot-four but holds a slightly shorter reach at 78 inches. Where Blaydes leans on the grappling, Cortes-Acosta is primarily a striker, averaging a heavy 5.54 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy — one of the higher output rates among active heavyweights.

Why it matters

• A Blaydes win keeps him in contention for a title shot from the number-four spot; a loss would be a significant setback at 35.
• Cortes-Acosta, ranked tenth, has a chance to vault into the top five with a victory over an established contender.
• The stylistic contrast is sharp: Blaydes will look to neutralize the fight on the mat while Cortes-Acosta will aim to keep it standing and leverage his striking volume advantage.
• Both fighters are orthodox heavyweights of identical height, making reach and timing critical factors in the stand-up exchanges.