Sergei Pavlovich vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta
UFC Shanghai Event
Mercedes-Benz Arena, Shanghai, China
Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025
On Saturday, August 23, 2025, Sergei Pavlovich is set to face Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC Shanghai. The opening odds feature Pavlovich at -220 and Cortes-Acosta at +185.
Sergei Pavlovich aims to enhance his impressive record of 19 wins and 3 losses. At 33 years old, he weighs in at 257 lbs and stands 6’3″ tall, boasting a reach of 84″. Meanwhile, Waldo “Salsa Boy” Cortes-Acosta, also 33, measures 6’4″ and weighs 260 lbs. He is looking to improve his record of 14 wins and 1 loss and has a reach of 78″. In terms of significant strikes, Pavlovich averages 4.54 landed strikes per minute, whereas Cortes-Acosta achieves 5.98 strikes per minute. Pavlovich connects with 43% of his significant strikes, while Cortes-Acosta connects with 48%. When it comes to defense, Pavlovich absorbs 3.81 significant strikes per minute and manages to block 54% of the strikes aimed at him. On the other hand, Cortes-Acosta takes 3.43 significant strikes per minute and defends against 55% of inbound shots.

UFC Shanghai Events | Sergei Pavlovich | Waldo Cortes-Acosta |
---|---|---|
Opening Odds | -220 | +185 |
Record | 19-3-0 | 14-1-0 |
Average Fight Duration | 4:47 | 11:50 |
Height | 6’3″ | 6’4″ |
Weight | 257 lbs | 260 lbs |
Reach | 84″ | 78″ |
Strikes Landed Per Minute | 4.54 | 5.98 |
Striking Accuracy | 43% | 48% |
In wrestling and grappling statistics, Sergei Pavlovich demonstrates superior capabilities, averaging 0.63 takedowns per 15 minutes and successfully completing 40% of his attempts while defending against 75% of opponents’ takedowns. In contrast, Cortes-Acosta completes 50% of his takedown attempts and successfully defends against 66%. When it comes to submission attempts, Pavlovich averages 0.7 finishes per 15 minutes compared to Cortes-Acosta’s 0.1.
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In his previous match, Sergei Pavlovich faced Jairzinho Rozenstruik and secured a victory by unanimous decision in round 3. Rozenstruik managed to connect on 23 of 63 total strikes during the bout, while Pavlovich successfully landed 145 of 208 total strikes. In significant strikes, Rozenstruik landed 17 of 55, achieving a 30% accuracy rate with 7 of 43 being head strikes. Pavlovich achieved 41% accuracy, landing 25 of 60 significant strikes, with 21 of 55 aimed at the head. Notably, all significant strikes thrown in this fight were targeted from a distance.
In his last outing, Waldo Cortes-Acosta clashed with Serghei Spivac and secured a unanimous decision win in round 3. Spivac had a notable 93% accuracy with significant strikes at distance, while Cortes-Acosta achieved 95%. Cortes-Acosta landed 46% of the significant strikes he attempted, totalling 110 of 235 strikes thrown, including 76 directed to the head. In this fight, Spivac landed 48 of 119 significant strikes, with an accuracy of 39% for head strikes. In total, Spivac landed 53 of 124 strikes, contrasting with Cortes-Acosta’s 111 of 236 total throws.
Other Noteworthy Fights on the Card
An exciting matchup to watch features Sumudaerji battling Kevin Borjas. With a record of 17-7-0, 29-year-old Sumudaerji weighs 125 lbs and stands 5’8″ with a 72″ reach. Borjas, 27, measures 5’5″ and weighs 126 lbs, entering the Octagon with a record of 10-3-0 and a reach of 68″. Statistically, Sumudaerji averages 0.18 takedowns over 3 rounds, while Borjas averages 0.40. In terms of striking, Sumudaerji connects at 4.40 strikes per minute with 51% accuracy, while Borjas strikes at 5.10 per minute with a 44% connection rate.
Don’t miss the enticing clash between Kiefer Crosbie and Taiyilake Nueraji. Nueraji, boasting a record of 11-1-0 (1 NC), weighs 170 lbs and stands 6’2″ with a 75″ reach. Crosbie, at 5’11” and 171 lbs, aims to improve his 10-5-0 record, with a 70″ arm span. In grappling, Nueraji stops 10% of takedown attempts against him and succeeds in his own 10% of the time. Crosbie mirrors these stats, with similar percentages. For striking, Nueraji absorbs 7.39 strikes per minute, delivering 11.01, while Crosbie takes 4.97 strikes per minute and dishes out 6.27.
Who do you believe will triumph in tonight’s UFC matchup against the spread?
Josh Schonwald’s Prediction: Back Sergei Pavlovich (-220)
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