Podcast Summary
Chente Ydrach – Masacote
Episode: WALDO CORTES: EL DOMINICANO QUE ESTÁ CARGANDO LOS PESOS PESADOS EN LA UFC
Date: December 2, 2025
Host: Chente Ydrach
Guests: Waldo Cortés Acosta (UFC Heavyweight fighter), Javier (Waldo’s coach/corner)
Episode Overview
In this dynamic and insightful episode, Chente Ydrach welcomes back Waldo Cortés Acosta, the rising Dominican heavyweight who has shaken up the UFC’s heavyweight division in 2025. Alongside his coach Javier, Waldo discusses his unprecedented journey through a year filled with high-stakes fights, dramatic victories, personal and family struggles, as well as the transformation of his career and public persona. The episode is a deep dive into the challenges and triumphs of chasing UFC glory, balancing life and family, and embracing the pressure of being called “the division’s star.”
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Opening and Context: Waldo’s Meteoric UFC Year
- Chente notes Waldo’s presence for a “fourth time,” highlighting his rise from an undercard fighter to one of the division’s most talked-about names in only a year:
- Record in 2025: 5 fights, 4 wins, mostly by knockout, and becoming a pivotal player after an eye-poke controversy led to two high-drama fights in quick succession.
- Reference to a recent divisional title fight ending anticlimactically with an eye-poke DQ, amplifying the importance of Waldo’s subsequent bouts.
- Waldo’s quick turnaround: Fighting—and winning—again less than three weeks later in Qatar, on extremely short notice.
“20 días después volvió a pelear en corto aviso...y ganó por knockout en el primer asalto con un gancho de derecha.” – Chente (01:30)
Timestamp: [00:01–02:45]
2. Eye Poke Controversy and Instant Replay in MMA
- Waldo recounts the confusion during his fight halted due to an alleged KO, but a replay (newly adopted) revealed an eye poke:
“El árbitro solamente se metió para parar la pelea... y decir ¿qué está pasando?... pusieron el replay... vieron el pico de ojo que me pasó.” – Waldo (03:20)
- Coach Javier discusses the surreal build-up:
“Esto no se pudo haber escrito más como de película...el referee nos dice todo lo que pasó atrás... va a usar lo que se llama Instant Replay.” – Javier (04:15)
- The tension and clarity instant replay brought; the odd hypnosis of “él dijo, ella dijo” among fighters and corners.
Memorable: Waldo’s attitude—“Si me pican los ojos, tengo otro. Yo voy para el frente.” (04:15)
Timestamp: [02:45–07:03]
3. Waldo’s Evolving Status in the UFC
- Transition from the UFC “bad guy” (after a grappling-heavy, criticized win over a Cuban favorite) to “el nene de la división.”
- Recognition from Dana White, who shows Waldo’s UFC card after legends like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones.
“De repente un año y medio después tú eres el nene de la división. ¿Cómo se siente eso?” – Chente (07:03) “Pero me han visto... cómo soy dedicado a mi deporte y qué tanto puedo sacrificar para conseguir una victoria.” – Waldo (09:11)
Timestamp: [07:03–09:44]
4. Rivalries, Respect, and Locker Room Culture
- The story of veteran Andrei Arlovski snubbing Waldo’s handshake multiple times, flipping the script on expected respect:
“Arlovski... le faltó respeto a una leyenda dentro de la jaula” – Javier (09:47)
- Chente and Javier reflect on the unwritten rules of respect in fight sports and “trash talk.”
- Waldo’s preference for humility and limited pre-fight interaction:
“Cuando yo voy a pelear, veo el contrincante... lo saludo de lejos, la voz y ya...” – Waldo (11:33)
Timestamp: [09:44–12:08]
5. Short-Notice Fights, Travel Struggles, and Weight Cuts
- Waldo details fighting on just three days’ notice, traveling from the Dominican Republic and Arizona to Qatar after an exhausting family crisis and little training.
“No he entrenado ni una sola vez... ya ha pasado 8, casi 9 días que no he entrenado... y le digo al coach tres veces... si, para pelear.” – Waldo (16:22)
- Emphasizes his constant year-round readiness and discipline with weight—vital for last-minute opportunities.
“Por eso hago esto, estar en shape todo el año para cualquier tiempo que se ofrezca pelea.” – Waldo (20:16)
- Anecdotes about Dominican food, family, and how his community celebrated his homecoming after a historic win.
Timestamp: [12:08–22:20]
6. Fight Strategy and Execution on Short Notice
- Preparation for the Qatar fight meant reviewing opponent clips mid-flight and sketching a strategy literally on the plane:
“Vi la última pelea... OK. Persona no mueve la cabeza... si le tiro un derechazo... se lo va a tragar.” – Waldo (21:10)
- Coach Javier’s boxing background is key—Mexican fight culture meets Dominican toughness:
“Yo boxeo mucho en México, soy de Obregón, Sonora, donde nació Julio César Chávez.” – Javier (23:16)
- Waldo’s right hand as signature weapon, and focus on jab–cross approach.
Timestamp: [21:10–24:32]
7. Public Persona & Embracing the Spotlight
- Unexpected confidence and comfort emerges during media appearances; Waldo credits his English improvement and composure:
“Soy una persona que me siento que he progresado mucho en ese ámbito de estar más tranquilo ahora en las peleas y hablar más inglés, aprendiendo mucho.” – Waldo (24:57)
- Iconic “patch over the eye” moment after the Qatar win, orchestrated by coach Javier—including a tribute to Michael Bisping, famously blinded in one eye:
“Voy a agarrar unos parches, vamos a hacer una movida, vamos a romperla, vamos a poner unos parches ahí en la pelea.” – Javier (26:27)
Timestamp: [24:32–27:25]
8. Looking Ahead: The UFC 224 Clash vs. Derrick Lewis
- Waldo’s ambition for a record sixth fight in a year, but ultimately announced as fighting Derrick Lewis in January.
- On Derrick Lewis:
“Derek Lewis, el tipo que más knockouts tiene en toda la UFC... El reto más grande de tu carrera hasta el momento.” – Chente (28:14)
- Waldo’s anticipation of fighting on a superstar-stacked card in Las Vegas, broadcast on UFC’s new Paramount platform.
“No he tenido la sensación de saber cómo se siente... voy a pelear entre tantas estrellas... estoy muy emocionado por eso, orgulloso de mí mismo para llevar una pelea así para mi país.” – Waldo (29:20)
- Coach Javier points out Waldo’s composure and mental toughness rooted in his baseball pitching past.
Timestamp: [27:25–30:45]
9. Personal Hardship: Family, Loss, and Resilience
- Waldo’s background as a professional baseball pitcher (Cincinnati Reds) ended by a fight, but fate intervened to steer him to top-level MMA.
- Intense struggles during 2025—his wife’s near-death experience in the hospital around the time of important fights, and their premature baby in ICU:
“Mi esposa... tuvo mucho riesgo de que la perdamos... la pusieron en el edificio que ya donde se van a despedir la gente para morirse.” – Waldo (34:11) “La bebé había nacido con casi tres libras... no podía juntarla... tenía que hacerme la prueba Covid yo mismo afuera para pasar.” – Waldo (35:05)
- Family now adjusting and thriving, despite scars of the year.
Timestamp: [30:45–36:19]
10. Heavyweight Division Analysis and the Burden of Stardom
- Chente presses Waldo on his views of the stagnant heavyweight division after Jon Jones’ absence.
- Waldo critiques Thomas Aspinall’s title fight and behaviors, hinting at mental weakness under fire:
“Cuando yo veo que Sirigan conecta su primer jab... Tom Espinal no le está gustando... un campeón del mundo que todo el mundo lo da de un dios... ya cuando estaban afuera... dijeron tú no tienes nada. Y él estaba diciendo que él no ve.” – Waldo (37:12)
- Chente playfully asks:
“¿No te duele la espalda cargando esa jodia división aquí encima tuyo?” – Chente (39:40)
“Tengo que tirarme la división en la espalda, me la voy a tirar y la voy a cargar...” – Waldo (40:01)
Timestamp: [36:19–40:08]
11. Closing Sentiments and Aspirations
- Waldo addresses fans—immense pride in representing the Dominican Republic, gratitude for support, and a promise to keep delivering exciting fights:
“Tranquilo, que sigan mirando las peleas y que sigan apoyando y que muchas gracias, que Dios me lo bendiga a todos en su casa.” – Waldo (40:47)
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
Chente:
- “20 días después volvió a pelear en corto aviso...y ganó por knockout en el primer asalto con un gancho de derecha.” (01:30)
- “¿No te duele la espalda cargando esa jodia división aquí encima tuyo?” (39:40)
-
Waldo Cortés Acosta:
- “Si me pican los ojos, tengo otro. Yo voy para el frente, yo voy para adelante.” (04:15)
- “Por eso hago esto, estar en shape todo el año para cualquier tiempo que se ofrezca pelea.” (20:16)
- “Tengo que tirarme la división en la espalda, me la voy a tirar y la voy a cargar...” (40:01)
- “Tranquilo, que sigan mirando las peleas y que sigan apoyando y que muchas gracias, que Dios me lo bendiga a todos en su casa.” (40:47)
- “La bebé había nacido con casi tres libras... no podía juntarla... tenía que hacerme la prueba Covid yo mismo afuera para pasar.” (35:05)
-
Javier (Coach):
- “Esto no se pudo haber escrito más como de película...” (04:15)
- “Voy a agarrar unos parches, vamos a hacer una movida, vamos a romperla, vamos a poner unos parches ahí en la pelea.” (26:27)
Recommended Listening Timestamps
- 00:01–02:45: Waldo’s introduction & 2025 recap
- 03:20–07:03: Eye-poke controversy and instant replay
- 09:11–09:44: Turning from underdog to poster boy
- 16:22–22:20: Short-notice fight logistics and family hardship
- 24:32–27:25: Embracing media, Michael Bisping moment, “parcho del ojo”
- 29:20–30:45: Anticipating Derrick Lewis and UFC 224
- 34:11–36:19: Health crisis in Waldo’s family
- 37:12–40:08: Division analysis, burden of stardom
Summary & Takeaway
This episode offers a raw, candid look at the making of an MMA star—not just in the octagon, but in the context of adversity, sacrifice, and pride. Waldo Cortés Acosta’s 2025 is painted as both heroic and deeply human, with an emphasis on dedication, Dominican pride, and an unbreakable mindset.
If you want to understand what makes a modern fight star—inside and outside the cage—don’t miss this inspiring and entertaining conversation.