Ion Cutelaba
The Hulk
Moldova
Finished after fast start
Cutelaba lost to Navajo Stirling via TKO (strikes) at 3:32 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
This was a strange fight. Entering as a +265 underdog, Cutelaba was competitive the entire way, winning Round 1 on all three scorecards. He had a one very deep submission attempt early on and landed five takedowns on seven attempts. Ion was predictably dominated at range, with the finish coming under strange circumstances. Cutelaba realized he was in a bad position following an exchange along the fence and instead of trying to move, just sat that. That allowed Stirling to unload with unanswered shots until referee Kerry Hatley finally stepped in, a good 10-15 seconds late. Now 32 years old and a member of the UFC roster for more than a decade, Cutelaba is essentially a .500 fighter at this stage of his career.
This was a strange fight. Entering as a +265 underdog, Cutelaba was competitive the entire way, winning Round 1 on all three scorecards. He had a one very deep submission attempt early on and landed five takedowns on seven attempts. Ion was predictably dominated at range, with the finish coming under strange circumstances. Cutelaba realized he was in a bad position following an exchange along the fence and instead of trying to move, just sat that. That allowed Stirling to unload with unanswered shots until referee Kerry Hatley finally stepped in, a good 10-15 seconds late. Now 32 years old and a member of the UFC roster for more than a decade, Cutelaba is essentially a .500 fighter at this stage of his career.
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Stirling up next
Cutelaba will fight fellow light heavyweight Navajo Stirling at UFC Vegas 119 on June 20, according to Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Cutelaba's next fight is against an undefeated light heavyweight coming off a TKO win over Bruno Lopes. The former himself also has positive momentum, having submitted Oumar Sy back in March.
Cutelaba's next fight is against an undefeated light heavyweight coming off a TKO win over Bruno Lopes. The former himself also has positive momentum, having submitted Oumar Sy back in March.
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.
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.