UFC Fight Night Predictions & Picks: Cortes Acosta vs Walker
UFC Fight Night: Cortes Acosta vs Walker takes place Saturday, November 7 at Meta APEX, Las Vegas United States, headlined by Waldo Cortes Acosta vs. Johnny Walker. The main card also features Tatiana Suarez vs. Virna Jandiroba and Davey Grant vs. Elijah Smith.
Who do our experts like to get their hands raised at UFC Fight Night?
UFC Fight Night Main Event: Waldo Cortes Acosta vs. Johnny Walker
HayJive – Waldo Cortes Acosta
- “I don’t love the price on Waldo Cortes-Acosta, but I have a hard time seeing Johnny Walker avoiding a big shot for 25 minutes, especially considering Waldo’s significant durability advantage. The smaller cage should also limit Walker’s ability to move around and utilize his length to stay out of danger. I expect Waldo to eventually find his shot and put Walker away by knockout.”
Nolan – Waldo Cortes Acosta
- “Costa is a true heavyweight with high level experience. I also think the boxing will be too much for Johnny, along with the power.”
The Fight Analyst – Waldo Cortes Acosta
- “Walker’s speed and unpredictable attacks make him dangerous early, but Cortes-Acosta’s durability and heavier boxing should give him the edge once they start trading. I’m picking Cortes-Acosta by second-round TKO, catching Walker with a right hand as he closes the distance.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Waldo Cortes Acosta
- “As much as I would love for Waldo to get knocked out, I just can’t see it. Walker has no basic boxing ability over 5 Rounds which is what you need, if you wish to defeat Waldo in a striking battle.”
Austin Swaim – Waldo Cortes Acosta
- “This seems like a nightmare matchup for Walker despite how interesting his heavyweight debut was. Cortes Acosta’s granite chin, strong boxing in the pocket, and patience are all the right attributes to eventually find a KO here — or win a horrible-to-watch decision.”
Pap – Waldo Cortes Acosta
- “Johnny Walker has looked great since the move to HW, however I still don’t trust the chin and I believe Waldo is the better counter striker here. The reach advantage could pose a problem but I expect Waldo to remain defensive and catch Johnny on a sloppy mistake.”
UFC Fight Night Co-Main Event: Tatiana Suarez vs. Virna Jandiroba
HayJive – Virna Jandiroba
- “I’m taking Jandiroba primarily because of the betting line, as I believe this matchup is much closer to a 50-50 fight than the odds suggest. Suarez may be the better traditional wrestler, but Jandiroba’s dangerous ground game should create problems, even if Suarez is able to secure takedowns. Neither fighter is particularly impressive on the feet, but I slightly favor Jandiroba’s willingness to exchange, making her my underdog pick in a fight I’m not overly confident in.”
Nolan – Tatiana Suarez
- “This will be grappler/grappler where one is younger, stronger, and most likely has the better cardio. I think Suarez can use her physicality to win this.”
The Fight Analyst – Tatiana Suarez
- “Suarez’s wrestling pressure and positional control should help her dictate where this fight takes place, although Jandiroba’s submission threats will demand patience on the ground. I expect Suarez to prioritize control over chasing a finish and earn a unanimous decision.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Tatiana Suarez
- “Virna’s run has come to an end again. Suarez not only is a far better grappler, is also a better striker.”
Austin Swaim – Tatiana Suarez
- “I initially leaned Virna at the number, but I think Suarez’s physicality should be the difference. Virna hasn’t responded well to punches in high-level matchups, and I really didn’t like Jandiroba’s stand-up tendency to Dern in grappling sequences. If Suarez can find mount or her back, I’m not sure it ends well.”
Pap – Tatiana Suarez
- “These girls match up well, however I can’t ignore the obvious wrestling advantage Suarez has. I expect any grappling Virna may try to implement to be nullified and I believe Suarez can take her down and control her here.”
Davey Grant vs. Elijah Smith
HayJive – Elijah Smith
- “There’s a lot for Grant to overcome in this matchup, starting with a massive 16-year age gap against a younger, faster, and more athletic Elijah Smith. Smith brings solid wrestling, dangerous grappling, fast hands, and has shown impressive composure when facing adversity in longer fights. I expect Smith to utilize his speed on the feet, mix in his grappling, and potentially find a finish against the aging veteran.”
Nolan – Elijah Smith
- “Elijah Smith is the younger, far more explosive fighter. Grant being over 40 is tough to find value on against a guy who’s powerful, and also has great wrestling.”
The Fight Analyst – Elijah Smith
- “Grant’s varied striking and veteran composure could make the exchanges competitive, but Smith’s explosiveness and wrestling give him more ways to win rounds. I’m taking Smith by unanimous decision, using takedowns and sustained pressure to limit Grant’s opportunities to build momentum.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Elijah Smith
- “As much as we appreciate Grant, Smith’s age, momentum, athleticism and skill will be too much for Grant. I expect a finish.”
Austin Swaim – Davey Grant
- “Eljiah Smith has made two stops through Road to UFC competition since a competitive split with Vince Morales, where he was in a deep d’arce choke late. His early athleticism is extremely dangerous for Davey, but the Blackshear fight was a good showing for the Englishman’s grappling defense, and striking efficiency here isn’t even close.”
Pap – Elijah Smith
- “Davey Grant is a legend and has been impressive over his career, however I like the youthful side of Elijah Smith here. He has great wrestling, high level jiu jitsu, and good striking with some pop in his shots. I could see an Elijah Smith finish here.”
Billy Elekana vs. Lucas Fernando
HayJive – Lucas Fernando
- “I believe Fernando is the much more well-rounded striker, with the ability to attack the legs, body, and head while maintaining a high volume of offense. That diverse striking approach should be particularly effective at light heavyweight, where many fighters rely heavily on power, and I don’t see Elekana’s grappling presenting a significant threat. Considering Elekana hasn’t faced particularly strong competition and doesn’t possess overwhelming knockout power, I favor Fernando to outwork him on the feet.”
Nolan – Lucas Fernando
- “Lucas showed he’s elite with his striking. If Elekana can’t land takedowns he’s in serious trouble.”
The Fight Analyst – Lucas Fernando
- “Fernando’s powerful kicks and more dangerous striking should give him the advantage at distance, provided he avoids letting Elekana turn a scramble into a submission opportunity. I expect Fernando to attack the legs and body before finding a second-round TKO.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Lucas Fernando
- “Elekana doesn’t pass that much confidence. Fernando on the other end is a dangerous opponent.”
Austin Swaim – Billy Elekana
- “Lucas Fernando’s kickboxing is excellent. Everything else is suspect. I don’t think he’s a great finisher, and he’s never been forced to grapple at 205 pounds since a 2023 loss to Azamat Bekoev at middleweight that has aged like milk. After rewatching that bout, I think Elekana can close the distance and potentially even submit the Brazilian if he hasn’t made massive improvements.”
Pap – Lucas Fernando
- “Lucas Fernando really impressed me in his last fight. He has beautiful boxing with an elite jab. Unfortunately I believe Elekana gets sloppy at times and lacks more defensively. I think Fernando can win by knockout or decision here.”
Priscila Cachoeira vs. Nina Milošević
HayJive – Nina Milošević
- “Cachoeira appears to be well past her prime and continues to rely on the same predictable approach of marching forward, brawling, and hunting for knockouts. Nunes is the younger, more technically sound fighter who should have plenty of opportunities to land clean strikes and potentially mix in takedowns. While the betting line is extremely wide, I expect Nunes to comfortably outclass Cachoeira.”
Nolan – Nina Milošević
- “Cachoeira’s durability is starting to decline, and Milosevic has that pressure style that wears you down until the takedown comes. When the fight hits the mat respect Nina to start to take over.”
The Fight Analyst – Nina Milošević
- “Cachoeira’s willingness to trade gives her an upset route, but Milosevic should have the cleaner path to victory by closing distance and taking the fight to the mat. I’m picking Milosevic by first-round submission rather than expecting her to entertain a prolonged slugfest.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Nina Milošević
- “Cachoeira isn’t the best but she shouldn’t be this big of an underdog given her power. With all that said, I expect Nina to find a finish.”
Austin Swaim – Nina Milošević
- “I’ve still got questions about Milosevic, whose two-fight run through Hailey Cowan and Priscila Cachoeira couldn’t be easier. But, this is “Zombie Girl”, whose faint power threat doesn’t make up for all-time horrendous striking efficiency and grappling defense in this division. Nina probably gets her down for a ground finish quickly.”
Pap – Nina Milošević
- “Priscila Cachoeira doesn’t really haven’t anything left at this point in her career. She makes horrible decisions inside the cage and Nina Milosevic is elite. Nina should get the finish here in rounds 1-2.”
Mitch Raposo vs. Marcos Degli
HayJive – Marcos Degli
- “I really like Degli as a prospect, and I believe he presents legitimate finishing threats both on the feet and on the ground against Raposo. Raposo will likely look to slow the fight down, avoid dangerous exchanges, and potentially rely on takedowns and control to neutralize Degli’s offense. However, the smaller cage should force more engagements, and I expect Degli’s dangerous, well-rounded skill set to shine in those exchanges.”
Nolan – Mitch Raposo
- “I’ll take UFC experience here. Degli can be low volume, Raposo will be throwing more, and for whatever reason Judges love scoring Raposo in close fights.”
The Fight Analyst – Marcos Degli
- “Raposo’s grappling could disrupt Degli’s rhythm early, but the Brazilian’s varied offense and finishing power should make his takedown entries increasingly difficult. I’m taking Degli by second-round TKO after he creates separation and starts landing the cleaner, more damaging shots.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Marcos Degli
- “Degli by KO. Expect a volume masterclass by Degli. His DWCS was completely different from what most people expected.”
Austin Swaim – Marcos Degli
- “Welcome to the Raposoverse, where everything is a low-volume split decision that somehow favors him. Skill-for-skill, Degli is one of the best DWCS prospects of the season. We know he’s an elite boxer, and he showed excellent top control and submission skills on the show. Raposo tends to hang around, but there’s not a single attribute where he’s got the edge. Scraping a tight decision is his ceiling again here.”
Pap – Marcos Degli
- “Marcos Degli is coming off a dominant performance on DWCS against a good prospect. Mitch Raposo has had a bit of a disappointing run inside the ufc so far, I think Degli is more dangerous everywhere. I expect another dominant performance.”
🔍 Want to know more about UFC Fight Night? Visit homeoffight.com or any of our social media accounts for more articles, fighter interviews, and plenty of additional coverage.
💰 Want to get in on the UFC Fight Night action? Visit homeoffight.com/picks to tail all of the Home of Fight experts’ picks & bets each week!
