Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs Shamil Gaziev matchup features short-notice striking power against patient knockout precision. Both fighters are looking to secure their positions in the heavyweight pound division. These contenders will clash at UFC Qatar on November 22nd.
Cortes-Acosta stands 6’4″ with a 78 inch reach and a 15-2 record. He showcases aggressive striking at 5.53 per minute with 48% accuracy while absorbing 3.52. His striking defense sits at 55% and his grappling presents minimal threat with 0.36 takedowns per fight at 50% accuracy and 0.1 submission attempts. He has a solid 72% takedown defense that keeps scrambles in his favor when opponents shoot.
Gaziev measures 6’4″ with a 78 inch reach and 14-1 record. He showcases conservative striking at 2.57 per minute with matching 48% accuracy while absorbing 3.87. His striking defense registers at 44% and his grappling shows minimal threat with 0.96 takedowns per fight at 30% accuracy and 0.3 submission attempts. He has an impressive 83% takedown defense that presents challenges against any wrestling approaches.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs Shamil Gaziev Predictions And Picks
This UFC fight breaks down to whether Cortes-Acosta’s striking volume and short-notice confidence can overcome Gaziev’s patient knockout power and full training camp preparation. Cortes-Acosta holds clear advantages in striking output at 5.53 per minute, more than doubling Gaziev’s conservative 2.57. His recent first-round TKO victory over Ante Delija as the underdog, coming just three weeks prior, demonstrates improved striking accuracy and confidence with minimal damage sustained.
However, Gaziev’s full training camp and ability to exploit defensive lapses cannot be ignored. His 3-1 UFC record with recent back-to-back first-round knockouts demonstrates finishing consistency. The only loss came against elite striker Jairzinho Rozenstruik, proving Gaziev competes effectively at high levels.
If we bet on this fight, we are going with Shamil Gaziev to win via KO/TKO.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs Shamil Gaziev MMA Betting Odds
Waldo Cortes-Acosta enters as a slight favorite at -134 on FanDuel. Meanwhile, Shamil Gaziev comes in as the +114 underdog. The near pick’em odds reflect uncertainty around Cortes-Acosta’s three-day notice versus Gaziev’s full training camp.
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The odds for the fight going the distance stand at +130. The odds favor an early finish at -166, reflecting heavyweight knockout power from both fighters.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs Shamil Gaziev Best Bets
Gaziev Moneyline (+114)
Excellent value on the fully-prepared power striker. His back-to-back first-round knockouts combined with Cortes-Acosta’s extreme three-day notice creates perfect upset conditions.
Gaziev By KO/TKO (+270)
Premium odds for the precision finisher’s most likely victory path. His deceptive speed and devastating power exposed in recent knockouts exploits volume strikers who sacrifice defense. Cortes-Acosta’s aggressive volume striking creates perfect counter-striking opportunities for Gaziev.
Gaziev To Win In Rounds 1 Or 2 By KO/TKO (+360)
Outstanding value for early knockout finish. Gaziev’s recent first-round stoppages demonstrate consistent early finishing ability. Short-notice circumstances compromise Cortes-Acosta’s preparation and conditioning, making early rounds his most vulnerable period.
(All odds taken from FanDuel. Bet on the most up-to-date MMA odds, lines, and spreads with FanDuel Sportsbook)
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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!
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