Overview
- The No. 2-ranked Alexander Volkov meets No. 4 Waldo Cortes-Acosta on Saturday in Newark in a matchup viewed as pushing the winner toward a title shot.
- Sportsbooks list Volkov as the favorite, with previews pointing to his long kicks, reach, and recent split-decision win over Jailton Almeida.
- Cortes-Acosta rides a three-fight knockout streak after stopping Derrick Lewis and says a win could set up a fight with champion Tom Aspinall.
- At media day, Cortes-Acosta said he and his wife confronted Josh Hokit at the UFC Apex and that Hokit apologized, a claim Hokit has not confirmed.
- The wider picture features Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane for an interim title next month, with the winner expected to face a returning Aspinall later this year.