Jun 7, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, UNITED STATES; Serghei Spivac (red gloves) fights Waldo Cortes Acosta (blue gloves) during UFC 316 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

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Sergey Spivac vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta Preview, Predictions And MMA Betting Odds for UFC 316

Get to know the betting odds, predictions and picks for the upcoming Sergey Spivac vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta fight at UFC 316!

Big men throwing heavy leather creates some of the most exciting moments in mixed martial arts. One punch can change everything in an instant, which makes every heavyweight fight a potential highlight reel waiting to happen. Saturday night at UFC 316 brings fans a classic heavyweight clash between two ranked contenders with something to prove. Sergey Spivac sits at number seven in the rankings while Waldo Cortes-Acosta holds the eleventh spot.

Both fighters stand at a crossroads where a victory could launch them toward title contention, but a loss might send them sliding down the heavyweight ladder. This matchup perfectly captures the unpredictable nature of heavyweight MMA, where technical skill meets raw knockout power!

Sergey Spivac vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta Preview

Sergey Spivac brings a well-rounded skill set that has served him well during his UFC journey. The Moldovan fighter owns a 17-5 record with an impressive finishing rate that includes seven knockouts and eight submissions. His recent form shows some inconsistency though, going 1-2 in his last three fights after enjoying a solid three-fight winning streak.

Waldo Cortes-Acosta represents the new generation of heavyweight boxers who can actually box. The Dominican Republic native brings fluid combinations and technical striking that’s rare in a division known more for power than precision. His 13-1 record includes six knockouts, with his most recent victory being a beautiful left hook knockout of Ryan Spann. That performance showcased exactly why many consider him one of the division’s most promising prospects.

Sergey Spivac vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta MMA Betting Odds

The oddsmakers see this as a competitive matchup. According to BetMGM, Sergey Spivac opened as a slight -150 favorite. Meanwhile, Waldo Cortes-Acosta comes back at +125, indicating the betting public expects a close fight.

These odds suggest Spivac’s experience and grappling skills give him a small edge, but not by much. The -150 line means fans would need to bet $150 to win $100 on Spivac. Cortes-Acosta’s +125 odds offer decent value for those believing in his boxing skills. A $100 bet on the Dominican would return $125 if he wins.

Sergey Spivac vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta Predictions And Picks

This fight comes down to whether Spivac can implement his grappling game plan effectively. His best path involves using his reach advantage to set up takedowns and control Cortes-Acosta against the cage. Once on the ground, Spivac’s experience and technique should give him clear advantages. However, his recent passive approach makes this strategy questionable.

Cortes-Acosta needs to keep this fight standing at all costs. His boxing skills represent a significant upgrade over most heavyweights Spivac has faced recently. If he can stuff takedown attempts and force Spivac into boxing exchanges, his technical advantages should accumulate over time. His size and strength make it difficult for wrestlers to hold him down consistently.

If we bet on the fight, we are going against the grain and betting on Waldo Cortes-Acosta to win the fight by KO/TKO.

(Image Credit: Vincent Carchietta – Imagn Images)

Sergey Spivac

UFC 316

Waldo Cortes Acosta

Zaid Quraishi

mma

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!