Cortes-Acosta vs Walker Headlines UFC Vegas 124

Waldo Cortes-Acosta will face Johnny Walker in a new five-round heavyweight main event at UFC Vegas 124 on Nov. 7 after Sean Brady withdrew from the original welterweight headliner against Gabriel Bonfim.

Brazilian reporter Laerte Viana first broke the news of the booking, which pairs the No. 8-ranked Cortes-Acosta against the No. 12-ranked Walker inside Meta Apex in Las Vegas. MMA Mania confirmed the switch after Brady pulled out of the card.

Cortes-Acosta Looking To Halt Skid

The 35-year-old Dominican has dropped back-to-back fights to Curtis Blaydes and Alexander Volkov after knocking out Derrick Lewis, Shamil Gaziev, and Ante Delija in three straight. Before that tear, he lost a decision to Sergei Pavlovich in China. Cortes-Acosta had rattled off five consecutive wins from 2023 to 2025 before that setback.

Walker moved up to heavyweight after a decision loss to Dominick Reyes at light heavyweight and flattened Mick Parkin with a knee in under four minutes at UFC 332 earlier this month. The 34-year-old Brazilian earned a $100,000 performance bonus for the finish and had been asking for another fight on social media this week.

Cortes-Acosta can snap his losing streak and protect his top-10 ranking. Walker can crack the heavyweight top 10 with a win in his first five-round bout at 265 pounds.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Report: Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs Johnny Walker now headlines UFC Vegas 124