Dana White did not hold back when evaluating Waldo Cortes-Acostavictory at UFC Fight Night 241.
Cortes-Acosta (12-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) scored a huge surprise victory over the highly touted heavyweight Robelis Despaigne (5-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) in the opening of last Saturday’s main card at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis.
The UFC CEO was unhappy with Cortes-Acosta’s performance in front of the electrifying St. Louis crowd.
“When you have that kind of atmosphere and fans like here in St. Louis, it takes everyone to the next level – except that fight,” White said during the UFC on ESPN 56 post-fight press conference.
Cortes-Acosta, who is on a three-fight winning streak, used a heavy-handed approach to stay out of trouble against the dangerous Despaigne. He landed three takedowns and logged nearly two rounds of control time en route to a lopsided unanimous decision.
“He won, but if you had to pick every fight on the card and open the show by going to the (main card), we’re live on ESPN, you’re opening the show, it’s your time to shine and show everyone who are you and this is your performance? I don’t know,” White said. “If you guys went through the card and I gave you a bonus for the shittiest fight of the night, who would you give it to? Yes, everyone agrees.”
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC on ESPN 56.
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Waldo Cortes-Acosta defeated. Robelis Despaigne, UFC on ESPN 56 1
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-St. Louis-Acosta x Despaigne
May 11, 2024; Louis, Missouri, USA; Waldo Cortes Acosta (red gloves) fights Robelis Despaigne (blue…
May 11, 2024; Louis, Missouri, USA; Waldo Cortes Acosta (red gloves) fights Robelis Despaigne (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-St. Louis-Acosta x Despaigne
May 11, 2024; Louis, Missouri, USA; Waldo Cortes Acosta (red gloves) fights Robelis Despaigne (blue…
May 11, 2024; Louis, Missouri, USA; Waldo Cortes Acosta (red gloves) fights Robelis Despaigne (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-St. Louis-Acosta x Despaigne
May 11, 2024; Louis, Missouri, USA; Waldo Cortes Acosta (red gloves) fights Robelis Despaigne (blue…
May 11, 2024; Louis, Missouri, USA; Waldo Cortes Acosta (red gloves) fights Robelis Despaigne (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-St. Louis-Acosta x Despaigne
May 11, 2024; Louis, Missouri, USA; Waldo Cortes Acosta (red gloves) fights Robelis Despaigne (blue…
May 11, 2024; Louis, Missouri, USA; Waldo Cortes Acosta (red gloves) fights Robelis Despaigne (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-St. Louis-Acosta x Despaigne
May 11, 2024; Louis, Missouri, USA; Waldo Cortes Acosta (red gloves) fights Robelis Despaigne (blue…
May 11, 2024; Louis, Missouri, USA; Waldo Cortes Acosta (red gloves) fights Robelis Despaigne (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-St. Louis-Acosta x Despaigne
May 11, 2024; Louis, Missouri, USA; Waldo Cortes Acosta (red gloves) fights Robelis Despaigne (blue…
May 11, 2024; Louis, Missouri, USA; Waldo Cortes Acosta (red gloves) fights Robelis Despaigne (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-St. Louis-Acosta x Despaigne
May 11, 2024; Louis, Missouri, USA; Waldo Cortes Acosta (red gloves) fights Robelis Despaigne (blue…
May 11, 2024; Louis, Missouri, USA; Waldo Cortes Acosta (red gloves) fights Robelis Despaigne (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-St. Louis-Acosta x Despaigne
May 11, 2024; Louis, Missouri, USA; Waldo Cortes Acosta (red gloves) fights Robelis Despaigne (blue…
May 11, 2024; Louis, Missouri, USA; Waldo Cortes Acosta (red gloves) fights Robelis Despaigne (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-St. Louis-Acosta x Despaigne
May 11, 2024; Louis, Missouri, USA; Waldo Cortes Acosta (red gloves) fights Robelis Despaigne (blue…
May 11, 2024; Louis, Missouri, USA; Waldo Cortes Acosta (red gloves) fights Robelis Despaigne (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-St. Louis-Acosta x Despaigne
May 11, 2024; Louis, Missouri, USA; Waldo Cortes Acosta (red gloves) fights Robelis Despaigne (blue…
May 11, 2024; Louis, Missouri, USA; Waldo Cortes Acosta (red gloves) fights Robelis Despaigne (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-St. Louis-Acosta x Despaigne
May 11, 2024; Louis, Missouri, USA; Waldo Cortes Acosta (red gloves) fights Robelis Despaigne (blue…
May 11, 2024; Louis, Missouri, USA; Waldo Cortes Acosta (red gloves) fights Robelis Despaigne (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-St. Louis-Acosta x Despaigne
May 11, 2024; Louis, Missouri, USA; Waldo Cortes Acosta (red gloves) fights Robelis Despaigne (blue…
May 11, 2024; Louis, Missouri, USA; Waldo Cortes Acosta (red gloves) fights Robelis Despaigne (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-USA TODAY Sports
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Waldo Cortes-Acosta defeated. Robelis Despaigne, UFC on ESPN 56 Scorecard
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