Wild Turn of Events Sees Waldo Cortes-Acosta Go From Poke to KO of Ante Delija in UFC Vegas 110 Co-Main

Ante Delija faced Waldo Cortes-Acosta in the UFC Vegas 110 co-main event, with Cortes-Acosta ranked sixth at heavyweight. Early exchanges saw Delija pressuring to the fence while Cortes-Acosta used size to reverse and hunt a double-leg. An exchange led to a ref stoppage for review after Delija landed shots and Cortes-Acosta covered up; replay showed an initial eye poke. Cortes-Acosta elected to continue after confirming improving vision, and immediately attacked when action resumed. Moments later Cortes-Acosta dropped Delija and finished with hammer fists, producing a controversial turn of events.

"Early on. Delija backed Cortes-Acosta up to the fence, but the larger heavyweight, by over twenty pounds, reversed, changing levels and looking for a double-leg takedown. Ref Mark Smith threatened to take the position for lack of action, only for Delija to peel away soon after. They'd wind up back in a similar spot, Delija taking the fight to the fence, Cortes-Acosta reversing. Less time spent in it, however."

"Just when things seemed to be moving along, they exploded. Delija landed a couple of shots in an exchange, and Cortes-Acosta covered up, fired back, and covered up some more. Delija began picking his shots, and the ref halted the action - but did not wave off the fight. He went to the replay official, which showed the initial contact made was an eye poke, which forced Cortes-Acosta to cover up. Delija, however, had been celebrating a win that was not forthcoming."

"Coincidentally, Delija's teammate Tom Aspinall had been the victim of an accidental eye poke a week ago. Waldo-Cortes was given the option to continue, and could be heard saying his vision was improving. As with Aspinall, if Waldo could not continue, the bout would be a No Contest. Cortes-Acosta, after another minute or so, chose to carry on. No point taken, and Cortes-Acosta went on the attack immediately when the action resumed. Moments later, he dropped Delija, and followed up with hammer fists!"

Read at Cageside Press