UFC sixth-ranked heavyweight Waldo Cortes Acosta will headline UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas against unranked Johnny Walker on nine days' notice.
Cortes Acosta dismissed Walker's confidence stemming from training with Alexander Volkov, who defeated Cortes Acosta earlier this year. "Did Alexander Volkov knock me out? No. What is he learning from Alexander Volkov? Kicking and running away for his life," Cortes Acosta said. "If this is what you're learning, I'll chase you anywhere. I prepare for people like you or him. I'm well prepared, and I'll go for your head."
The Dominican fighter believes Walker's future lies at light heavyweight, calling Walker's debut win over Mick Parkin fortunate. "Every other heavyweight would knock him out in the first round... Now you have a real heavyweight," Cortes Acosta added.
The heavyweight title picture remains active: Ciryl Gane faces Josh Hokit for the title at UFC 334 next week, with the winner likely meeting the victor of Sergei Pavlovich versus Alex Pereira at UFC 335.
Cortes Acosta has previously clashed with Hokit, including an incident where Hokit referenced Cortes Acosta's nine children. Cortes Acosta, who fights for the ninth time in under two years, emphasized his willingness to accept any opponent. "I say yes to any fighter who wants to fight me, or any fighter the UFC puts in there. I never say no," he said.
