Imagine surviving a horrifying eye poke only to come back moments later and deliver a knockout so brutal it leaves your opponent crumpled on the canvas. That’s exactly what Waldo Cortes-Acosta did at UFC Vegas 110, turning what could’ve been a devastating injury into a jaw-dropping victory over Ante Delija. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was Delija’s eye poke intentional, or just a freak accident in the heat of battle? Let’s dive in.
Veteran combat sports journalist Damon Martin (https://www.mmafighting.com/authors/damon-martin) breaks down the wild sequence that had fans on the edge of their seats. It all started when Cortes-Acosta took a vicious eye gouge from Delija, followed by a barrage of punches that forced referee Mark Smith to pause the action. Replays clearly showed Delija’s finger making contact with Cortes-Acosta’s eye—a foul that could’ve ended the fight right there. And this is the part most people miss: Despite the obvious pain, Cortes-Acosta chose to continue, even though his vision was reportedly reduced to just 20%.
What happened next was nothing short of extraordinary. With sheer determination, Cortes-Acosta unleashed a perfectly timed counter right hand that flattened Delija, sealing the deal with ground-and-pound before Smith could step in. The stoppage came at 3:59 of the first round, capping off one of the most dramatic comebacks in recent UFC history.
In his post-fight interview, Cortes-Acosta was both defiant and ambitious. “I feel a finger go deep inside my eye,” he said. “I decided to continue because I feel I can continue… I’m mad. I’m Dominican. That’s in my blood. I want to be champion of the world.” His callout of Tom Aspinall added fuel to the fire, signaling his hunger for bigger challenges.
Here’s the bold question: Did Cortes-Acosta’s decision to continue after the eye poke showcase unparalleled toughness, or was it a risky move that could’ve backfired? Let’s not forget, he was still covering his injured eye with a towel during his interview, a stark reminder of the fight’s brutality.
This win is massive for Cortes-Acosta, who rebounds from his loss to Sergei Pavlovich, while Delija suffers his first UFC defeat after a promising debut. It’s a fight that will be remembered not just for its violence, but for the heart and resilience on display. What do you think? Was Cortes-Acosta’s comeback a testament to his warrior spirit, or should the fight have been stopped earlier? Sound off in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to spark opinions!
