The heavyweight clash between Waldo Cortes Acosta and Derrick Lewis at UFC 324 was expected to be a close and explosive matchup.
Fans anticipated a wild back-and-forth battle filled with heavy swings and dramatic moments.
Instead, the fight went in a completely different direction as Waldo Cortes Acosta controlled the pace, stayed composed, and defeated Derrick Lewis with an impressive TKO finish that showcased his growth and maturity as a rising contender in the division.
From the opening seconds to the referee’s stoppage, Waldo looked sharper, faster, and more disciplined. The performance not only surprised many fans but also raised questions about what comes next for both fighters.
A Calm First Round with Measured Striking
The first round began with both fighters stepping in cautiously, testing each other with jabs and low kicks.
Instead of the typical Derrick Lewis chaos that fans expect, the round stayed fairly calm. Lewis threw a few big shots early, but Waldo stayed out of danger with smart footwork and tight defense.
Waldo kept mixing his punches, working the body and head while circling away from Lewis’ power hand. Every time Lewis tried to step in aggressively, Waldo countered with cleaner and quicker combinations.
While neither fighter landed anything too damaging in the first round, Acosta clearly looked more settled and confident as the minutes passed.
Second Round Shift: Derrick Lewis Misses, Waldo Capitalizes
The turning point came early in the second round.
Derrick Lewis, known for ending fights in a single moment, swung a heavy punch that completely missed the target.
This mistake left him slightly off balance, and Waldo reacted instantly. He stepped in with a sharp right hand that landed clean on Lewis’ chin.
The impact was obvious, Lewis dropped to the ground, stunned and unable to recover as quickly as he usually does.
Instead of rushing wildly, Waldo followed with precision. He moved into the top position and began delivering strong ground-and-pound strikes. Each punch landed clean as Lewis covered up, unable to mount any defense.
Ground-and-Pound Finish: Referee Steps In
As Derrick Lewis stayed on his back, trying to survive the barrage, Waldo Cortes Acosta continued landing punches from a dominant position. Lewis wasn’t fighting back, and after several unanswered shots, the referee had no choice but to step in and stop the fight.
The TKO was official, and Waldo raised his hands in a victory that many didn’t expect to be so one-sided.
This was more than just a win—it was a statement.
A Huge Win for Waldo Cortes Acosta
This victory marks one of the biggest achievements in Waldo’s UFC career so far. Beating Derrick Lewis, a veteran knockout specialist with massive power, is a milestone for any heavyweight.
But doing it so easily and with complete control puts Acosta on a different path moving forward.
A few things stood out from his performance:
Improved striking accuracy
Waldo’s shots were clean and calculated, especially the right hand that changed the fight.
Better cage control
He kept the fight where he wanted it—not giving Derrick Lewis any wild exchanges that could end the night suddenly.
Smart ground strategy
Once Lewis fell, Waldo didn’t rush recklessly. He landed controlled, powerful shots until the referee stepped in.
This level of composure is something fans hadn’t consistently seen from Acosta before, making the win even more impressive.
What This Loss Means for Derrick Lewis
For Derrick Lewis, the result is disappointing. Fans always expect him to deliver explosive knockouts or dramatic comebacks.
But this time, he simply couldn’t get going. His missed punch in round two started the end, and his inability to defend himself on the ground forced the referee to stop the fight.
Lewis has been in this position before and has always found a way back. However, this defeat might push him to rethink his approach, especially in the early rounds where he tends to wait too long for a perfect counter shot.
The question now is: How many more runs does Derrick Lewis have left?
What’s Next for Waldo Cortes Acosta?
With such a strong showing on a big stage, Waldo Cortes Acosta has positioned himself for bigger fights in the heavyweight division.
His name will now be mentioned among rising challengers, and fans will be curious to see whether he can continue this momentum.
Potential next steps could include:
- A top-10 opponent
- A co-main event spot
- A fight against another knockout specialist
Whatever comes next, this dominant win has boosted his profile in a major way.
Conclusion
Waldo Cortes Acosta’s TKO victory over Derrick Lewis at UFC 324 was one of the most surprising outcomes of the night.
Fans expected a competitive striking war, but instead they witnessed a disciplined and commanding performance from Waldo.
From the smart first round to the clean right hand in the second and the final ground-and-pound finish, Waldo proved he is ready for bigger challenges.
Derrick Lewis now faces questions about what’s next, while Acosta leaves the event with momentum and confidence.
This fight may not have gone how the fans predicted, but it certainly delivered a clear message: Waldo Cortes Acosta is becoming a serious threat in the heavyweight division.