Ion Cutelaba
The Hulk
Moldova
Finds submission win early
Cutelaba defeated Oumar Sy via submission (guillotine choke) at 4:24 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Cutelaba got no help from the judges in a split decision loss to Modestas Bukauskas his last time out in May, so he wisely decided to leave them out of the proceedings entirely this evening. Cutelaba managed to end up in top position and do some damage before Sy was able to free himself. Unfortunately for the latter, right after emerging, he shot for a foolish takedown, leaving his neck exposed in the process. Cutelaba took full advantage, earning his second submission win in his past three fights. The 32-year-old Moldovan is essentially a .500 fighter at this stage of his career, but he's still clearly capable of a standout performance such as this one at times.
Cutelaba got no help from the judges in a split decision loss to Modestas Bukauskas his last time out in May, so he wisely decided to leave them out of the proceedings entirely this evening. Cutelaba managed to end up in top position and do some damage before Sy was able to free himself. Unfortunately for the latter, right after emerging, he shot for a foolish takedown, leaving his neck exposed in the process. Cutelaba took full advantage, earning his second submission win in his past three fights. The 32-year-old Moldovan is essentially a .500 fighter at this stage of his career, but he's still clearly capable of a standout performance such as this one at times.
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Sy scrap scheduled
Cutelaba is scheduled to compete against Oumar Sy in a light heavyweight fight at UFC Vegas 114 on March 14, per Nolan King of MMA Junkie.
ANALYSIS
Cutelaba logged a mixed 2025, upsetting Ibo Aslan in Seattle before losing to Modestas Bukauskas via split decision. That same year, Cutelaba's next opponent also logged a 1-1 record.
Cutelaba logged a mixed 2025, upsetting Ibo Aslan in Seattle before losing to Modestas Bukauskas via split decision. That same year, Cutelaba's next opponent also logged a 1-1 record.
Gets no help from judges in defeat
Cutelaba lost to Modestas Bukauskas via split decision (27-30, 30-27, 28-29) at UFC 315 on Saturday in Montreal.
ANALYSIS
Cutelaba wasn't happy with the decision, and he has a legitimate gripe. The 30-27 scorecard in Bukauskas' favor is particularly laughable. To be fair, not a ton was happening either way in this bout. There wasn't a whole lot of notable damage landed. It sure seemed as if Cutelaba deserved Rounds 1 and 2 based on output and effort alone. Things certainly got more even in the final frame. Now 31 years old, Cutelaba retained his roster spot despite a three-fight losing streak from May-November 2022. He's gone 3-2 since, which obviously isn't great, but should be enough to ensure he isn't looking at a release any time soon.
Cutelaba wasn't happy with the decision, and he has a legitimate gripe. The 30-27 scorecard in Bukauskas' favor is particularly laughable. To be fair, not a ton was happening either way in this bout. There wasn't a whole lot of notable damage landed. It sure seemed as if Cutelaba deserved Rounds 1 and 2 based on output and effort alone. Things certainly got more even in the final frame. Now 31 years old, Cutelaba retained his roster spot despite a three-fight losing streak from May-November 2022. He's gone 3-2 since, which obviously isn't great, but should be enough to ensure he isn't looking at a release any time soon.
Books fight with Bukauskas
Cutelaba will take on Modestas Bukauskas in a light heavyweight bout at UFC 315 in Montreal on May 10, per MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
Cutelaba will be looking to record his third straight victory after taking care of Ivan Erslan and Ibo Arslan consecutively in his last two fights. That pushed his UFC record to 8-9-1, and he'll look to get back to .500 against a fighter in Bukauskas who is also coming off two straight victories. Cutelaba gives up two inches of height and three inches of reach to his opponent.
Cutelaba will be looking to record his third straight victory after taking care of Ivan Erslan and Ibo Arslan consecutively in his last two fights. That pushed his UFC record to 8-9-1, and he'll look to get back to .500 against a fighter in Bukauskas who is also coming off two straight victories. Cutelaba gives up two inches of height and three inches of reach to his opponent.
Pulls upset in Seattle
Cutelaba defeated Ibo Aslan via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 2:51 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Seattle.
ANALYSIS
Cutelaba is typically known as one of most reckless brawlers in the sport. He has real power and a poor gas tank. It typically leads to short fights. That was again the case here, but he deserves credit this time for taking advantage of a clear weakness of his opponent. Ion ate a few big blows early on before he was able to get to his wrestling game. He dominated Aslan on the mat and eventually worked to an arm-triangle choke that easily closed the show. Don't look now, but the 31-year-old Moldovan has won three of four on the heels of a three-fight losing streak.
Cutelaba is typically known as one of most reckless brawlers in the sport. He has real power and a poor gas tank. It typically leads to short fights. That was again the case here, but he deserves credit this time for taking advantage of a clear weakness of his opponent. Ion ate a few big blows early on before he was able to get to his wrestling game. He dominated Aslan on the mat and eventually worked to an arm-triangle choke that easily closed the show. Don't look now, but the 31-year-old Moldovan has won three of four on the heels of a three-fight losing streak.
Will take on Aslan
Cutelaba will take on Ibo Aslan in a light heavyweight bout at a UFC event on February 22 in Seattle, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Cutelaba is coming off a win in his last fight over Ivan Erslan via split decision, but is still looking to get his UFC record to a better place as it sits at 7-9-1. He'll get the chance to come a step closer to a .500 mark in the promotion with a win over Aslan, who is off to a great start in his UFC career at 2-0.
Cutelaba is coming off a win in his last fight over Ivan Erslan via split decision, but is still looking to get his UFC record to a better place as it sits at 7-9-1. He'll get the chance to come a step closer to a .500 mark in the promotion with a win over Aslan, who is off to a great start in his UFC career at 2-0.