Waldo Cortes Acosta just called Tom Aspinall a P*SSY. 😱🔥 "Salsa Boy" didn't hold back when asked about Aspinall's prolonged absence, questioning why the heavyweight champion hasn't returned to fight Ciryl Gane after having months to recover from his eye injury. 👀🥊 Aspinall has undergone multiple eye surgeries since being forced out of action at UFC 321, while Dana White recently saying the heavyweight division will keep rolling while Tom remains sidelined. 👀 Waldo, meanwhile, has a fight of his own this Saturday against Curtis Blaydes at Noche UFC. 🔥 Is Waldo speaking FACTS or just trying to farm heavyweight clout before his own fight? 👀💀 via @fullsend_mma #ufc #mma #tomaspinall #nocheufc #british
Waldo Cortes Acosta publicly took aim at UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall this week, calling him a profanity-laced name and questioning why the Englishman has not yet returned to defend his title after months of recovery from an eye injury.
Speaking in an interview with Full Send MMA, Cortes Acosta — who goes by "Salsa Boy" — pointed specifically to Aspinall's failure to fight number-one contender Ciryl Gane, suggesting the champion has had ample time to heal and should be back in the cage by now. Aspinall has undergone multiple eye surgeries since being forced out of action at UFC 321, and UFC president Dana White has indicated the heavyweight division will continue moving forward while the champion remains on the sideline.
Aspinall, 33, carries a 15-3 record and holds the heavyweight title while also sitting sixth in the pound-for-pound rankings. The six-foot-five Team Kaobon product is one of the most prolific finishers in the division, averaging 7.63 significant strikes landed per minute at a remarkable 67 percent accuracy.
Gane, the man waiting for that title shot, is 14-2 and ranked first in the heavyweight division. The Frenchman stands six-foot-four with an 81-inch reach and brings a measured, technical striking game, landing 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy.
Cortes Acosta's comments come days before he steps into the cage himself. The heavyweight contender faces sixth-ranked Curtis "Razor" Blaydes this Saturday at Noche UFC. Blaydes, 35, owns a 19-6 record and presents a serious grappling threat, averaging an elite 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career. The six-foot-four American out of Elevation Fight Team brings plenty of experience and physicality to the matchup.
Why it matters
- Aspinall's continued absence has left the heavyweight title picture in limbo, with Gane stuck waiting for a fight he has seemingly earned
- Dana White's comments signal the division may move on without the champion, which could complicate Aspinall's return and title reign
- Cortes Acosta's outspoken comments keep his name in the heavyweight conversation ahead of a pivotal fight against a ranked opponent this weekend
