By Nelson Santana
June 10, 2025
Leer en español: De Barahona al Octágono: Waldo Cortes-Acosta rompe barreras en UFC 316
A Heavyweight from Fundación: The Rise of “Salsa Boy”
Born October 3, 1991, in Fundación—a modest town nestled in the Dominican Republic's Barahona province—Waldo Cortes-Acosta embodies the transformative power of Dominican immigration to the United States. Like countless Dominican youth, his earliest ambitions centered around baseball. He threw with power and demonstrated genuine promise on the mound. However, when an elbow injury derailed his diamond dreams, Cortes-Acosta found himself thousands of miles from home, struggling to navigate life in the United States without English proficiency. During that time, he made a choice that would redefine not just his future, but the possibilities for an entire community: he embraced mixed martial arts.
Today, at age 33, he fights out of Phoenix, Arizona, proudly representing both his Caribbean roots and his adopted home. Known by the nickname “Salsa Boy,” a nod to his vibrant personality and Dominican heritage, Cortes-Acosta is now a rising force in the UFC’s heavyweight division.
UFC 316: Cortes-Acosta Outlasts Spivac in a Gritty Showcase
On June 7, 2025, at UFC 316, Cortes-Acosta accepted a short-notice assignment against Moldovan powerhouse Serghei Spivac. The betting lines favored his opponent. Spivac launched aggressively from the opening bell, pressuring the Dominican with crisp jabs, leg kicks, and persistent clinch work. Yet Cortes-Acosta remained unshaken. As the second round unfolded, he began dictating the pace—connecting with sharp jabs, stuffing takedown attempts, and methodically punishing Spivac's legs.
The third frame saw both men displaying moments of dominance, but Cortes-Acosta's resilience and calculated counterattacks ultimately secured victory. All three judges scored the contest in his favor: 30-27, 29-28, 29-28. Though the audience's lukewarm response suggested a closer battle than the scorecards indicated, the decision remained undisputed.
In an interview with Cageside Press, Cortes-Acosta stated:
“I always tell people, I’m very happy with the support that I’m given, that I’ve been receiving. And I always give back the same amount of support that I get from everybody. And I always tell people, keep having at it, keep going at it, because I wasn’t born fighting, I didn’t grow up fighting. I turned to fighting after baseball at age 25, and then I had to learn. I had to learn how to grapple, I had to learn how to wrestle, I had to learn how to punch and actually exchange and little by little you start learning things and bringing in new things, and here I am.”
Per an interview with Hablemos MMA, Salsa Boy did not keep his promise of knocking out Spivac. Nonetheless, this triumph elevates Cortes-Acosta's record to 14–1 overall (6–1 in the UFC) and positions him for a legitimate climb toward the division's elite tier.
Why This Victory Resonates
Though Cortes-Acosta's bout represented a hard-fought contest between two skilled heavyweights, its cultural significance ran deeper. This wasn ot merely one athlete's success—it marked a pivotal moment for a community that represents one of America's most dynamic immigrant populations. Dominican migrants have fundamentally shaped American cities, from New York's Washington Heights to Lawrence, Massachusetts, bringing entrepreneurial energy, cultural vibrancy, and an unshakeable work ethic that has strengthened communities nationwide.
“What began as an experiment became a life mission. Cortes-Acosta now stands as the most prominent Dominican fighter in UFC history. ”
Yet in the realm of combat sports—where Dominican boxers have historically commanded global respect—the MMA landscape has remained largely untapped. Cortes-Acosta's success illuminates what happens when immigrant communities gain access to new pathways of achievement: they do not just participate, they transform the very nature of competition.
The Untapped Potential of Dominican Talent in MMA
Dominican immigrants have proven their excellence across countless fields in America. They've revolutionized baseball, elevating the sport's technical sophistication while bringing an infectious joy to the game. In boxing, they've produced world champions who combine technical precision with warrior hearts. In music, fashion, and business, Dominican immigrants have enriched American culture while maintaining deep connections to their homeland.
Yet in mixed martial arts, this community's immense potential remains largely unrealized—not due to lack of ability, but lack of opportunity. The sport lacks established infrastructure across the Dominican Republic. Training facilities are scarce, and youth development programs are virtually nonexistent. Culturally, MMA is often perceived as foreign entertainment rather than a legitimate path to U.S. success.
“I always tell people, I’m very happy with the support that I’m given, that I’ve been receiving. And I always give back the same amount of support that I get from everybody. ”
This context makes Waldo Cortes-Acosta's journey truly extraordinary—and deeply representative of the Dominican immigrant experience. He isn't simply a competitor—he's a testament to what Dominican immigrants bring to America: unrelenting determination, cultural pride that fuels excellence, and the ability to succeed in spaces others never imagined they belonged.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta is shattering barriers not just for himself, but for future generations of U.S. Dominicans who will see in his success a roadmap to their own. Each Octagon victory transmits a powerful message across Dominican communities: Dominican immigrants don't just survive in America—they innovate, they lead, and they redefine what's possible.
What began as an experiment became a life mission. Cortes-Acosta now stands as the most prominent Dominican fighter in UFC history.
Professional MMA Record (14–1)
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 14–1 | Serghei Spivac | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 316 | Jun 7, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Newark, NJ |
| Win | 13–1 | Ryan Spann | KO (Punches) | UFC Fight Night 254 | Mar 15, 2025 | 2 | 4:48 | Las Vegas, NV |
| Win | 12–1 | Robelis Despaigne | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC on ESPN 56 | May 11, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | St. Louis, MO |
| Win | 11–1 | Andrei Arlovski | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC Fight Night 234 | Jan 13, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, NV |
| Win | 10–1 | Łukasz Brzeski | KO (Punches) | UFC Fight Night 225 | Aug 26, 2023 | 1 | 3:01 | Singapore |
| Loss | 9–1 | Marcos Rogério de Lima | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC on ESPN 45 | Apr 29, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, NV |
| Win | 9–0 | Chase Sherman | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC Fight Night 215 | Nov 19, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, NV |
| Win | 8–0 | Jared Vanderaa | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC Fight Night 213 | Oct 29, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, NV |
| Win | 7–0 | Danilo Suzart | TKO (Punches) | Dana White's Contender Series | Aug 2, 2022 | 1 | 3:40 | Las Vegas, NV |
| Win | 6–0 | Thomas Petersen | TKO (Punches) | LFA 129 | Apr 15, 2022 | 3 | 4:53 | Prior Lake, MN |
| Win | 5–0 | Derrick Weaver | TKO (Punches) | LFA 124 | Feb 11, 2022 | 2 | 0:22 | Phoenix, AZ |
| Win | 4–0 | Muhammed DeReese | Decision (Unanimous) | Bellator 271 | Nov 12, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Hollywood, FL |
| Win | 3–0 | Jordan Powell | Decision (Unanimous) | RUF 43 | Aug 29, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Phoenix, AZ |
| Win | 2–0 | Edison Lopes | Submission (Kimura) | RUF 42 | Jul 31, 2021 | 1 | 3:12 | Phoenix, AZ |
| Win | 1–0 | Odell Pantin | KO (Punch) | Iron Boy MMA 11 | May 19, 2018 | 2 | 1:23 | Phoenix, AZ |
Fighter Profile: From Baseball Dreams to Octagon Stardom
Personal Information:
Full Name: Waldo Cortes-Acosta
Nickname: Salsa Boy
Date of Birth: October 3, 1991
Birthplace: Fundación, Barahona Province, Dominican Republic
Current Residence: Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Physical Attributes:
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 262 lbs
Reach: 78 inches
Fighting Details:
Fighting Style: Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Blue Belt)
Team: Ultimate Kombat Training Center
Trainer: Javier Torres
Personal Life:
Marital Status: Married to Sophia Lastra
Children: Father of four
Following his relocation to the United States, Cortes-Acosta launched his MMA career in 2018, competing across regional promotions before earning recognition on Dana White's Contender Series. He secured his UFC contract through a devastating first-round TKO—characteristic of the knockout power that has defined his ascent.
The Path Forward: Investing in Immigrant Excellence
With six UFC victories and an expanding fanbase, Cortes-Acosta appears poised for top-10 rankings and potentially high-profile matchups ahead. Potential bouts against established contenders like Jairzinho Rozenstruik or Tai Tuivasa would thoroughly test his skillset while amplifying his profile considerably.
But his impact extends far beyond individual achievement. Cortes-Acosta represents a compelling case study for why the United States benefits when immigrant communities are empowered to pursue excellence in new fields. His success should inspire investment in MMA infrastructure within Dominican communities—from youth programs in Washington Heights to training facilities in Miami's Doral.
The economic potential alone is staggering. Combat sports generate billions in revenue, from pay-per-view sales to merchandise to tourism. When Dominican immigrants succeed in MMA, they create pathways for others while generating economic activity that benefits entire communities. They also showcase the cultural richness that immigrant communities bring to U.S. sports—the passion, the family connection, the celebration of achievement that makes competition more meaningful.
Regardless of future opponents, one reality remains undeniable: Waldo Cortes-Acosta competes not solely for personal glory—he battles for the recognition that Dominican immigrants deserve as vital contributors to excellence in the United States. He fights for the understanding that when we invest in immigrant communities, we invest in America's future champions.
Thanks to his pioneering efforts, young Dominican-Americans from Santo Domingo's bustling streets to the South Bronx's vibrant neighborhoods are starting to believe the Octagon might welcome them too. More importantly, they're learning that in the United States, with opportunity and determination, any dream is possible—even ones that haven't been dreamed yet.
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