Ion Cuțelaba

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Ion Cuțelaba
Born (1993-12-14) 14 December 1993 (age 30)
Chișinău, Moldova
Other namesThe Hulk
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st)
DivisionHeavyweight
Light Heavyweight
Reach75 in (191 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofChișinău, Moldova
TeamTimoshkov Sport Club[1]
CSA Moldova[2]
MMA Factory[3]
Years active2012–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total29
Wins17
By knockout13
By submission2
By decision2
Losses10
By knockout3
By submission4
By decision2
By disqualification1
Draws1
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Ion Cuțelaba (born 14 December 1993) is a Moldovan professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background[edit]

Born and raised in Chișinău, Cuțelaba began training and competing in Greco-Roman wrestling as an adolescent.[2] He additionally competed in Sambo and Judo, becoming a national champion in both.[1] In 2012, representing Moldova, Cuțelaba finished first in the 90 kg category of the European Sambo Championships.[2]

Mixed martial arts career[edit]

Early career[edit]

Cuțelaba made his professional debut in April 2012, competing primarily for regional promotions across Eastern Europe. He amassed a record of 11-1 (1) before signing with the UFC in the spring of 2016.[1]

Ultimate Fighting Championship[edit]

2016[edit]

Cuțelaba made his promotional debut against Misha Cirkunov on 18 June 2016, at UFC Fight Night 89.[4] He lost the fight via submission in the third round.[5]

Cuțelaba next faced Jonathan Wilson on 1 October 2016, at UFC Fight Night 96. He won the fight via unanimous decision.[6]

Cuțelaba next faced Jared Cannonier on 3 December 2016, at The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale.[7] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[8] Subsequently, both fighters earned Fight of the Night honors.[9]

2017[edit]

Cuțelaba faced Henrique da Silva on 11 June 2017, at UFC Fight Night 110.[10] He won the fight via knockout in the opening minute of the first round.[11]

Cuțelaba was expected to face Gadzhimurad Antigulov on 4 November 2017, at UFC 217.[12] However, Antigulov pulled out of the fight on 26 September citing an injury and was replaced by newcomer Michał Oleksiejczuk.[13] In turn after the weigh-ins, Cuțelaba was pulled from the event by USADA due to a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from its investigation into voluntary disclosures by Cuțelaba during an out-of-competition sample collections on 18 and 19 October. He was provisionally suspended and the bout was scrapped.[14] USADA handed down a six-month suspension for ozone therapy involving a blood transfusion which is prohibited under 2018 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list on manipulation of blood component. Cuțelaba became eligible to fight again on 6 May 2018.[15]

2018[edit]

The bout with Antigulov eventually took place on 28 July 2018, at UFC on Fox 30.[16] Cuțelaba won the fight via TKO in the first round.[17]

2019[edit]

Cuțelaba was scheduled to face Glover Teixeira on 19 January 2019, at UFC Fight Night 143.[18] However, on 10 January 2019, Cuțelaba was pulled out of the bout due to an injury.[19] The pair was rescheduled to meet at UFC Fight Night: Jacaré vs. Hermansson on 27 April 2019.[20] Cuțelaba lost via a rear-naked-choke submission at 3:37 in the second round.[21]

Cuțelaba faced Khalil Rountree Jr. on 28 September 2019, at UFC Fight Night 160.[22] He won via TKO in the first round.[23]

2020[edit]

Cuțelaba faced Magomed Ankalaev on 29 February 2020, at UFC Fight Night 169.[24] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.[25] The loss was controversial as referee Kevin MacDonald stopped the bout believing Cuțelaba was out on his feet after a flurry of strikes from Ankalaev, which Cuțelaba immediately protested.[26] The stoppage was heavily criticized by media outlets, fighters, and fans as being premature.[27][28][29] Cuțelaba appealed the loss, which was subsequently denied by the Virginia athletic commission.[30][31][32]

Due to the controversy of the stoppage, the UFC rebooked the pair on 18 April 2020, to meet at UFC 249.[33] However, Ankalaev was forced to withdraw from the event due to COVID-19 pandemic travel restriction, with Cuțelaba being rescheduled to face Ovince Saint Preux on April 25, 2020.[34] However, on 9 April, UFC president Dana White announced that the event was postponed to a future date[35] The rematch with Ankalaev was expected to take place on 15 August 2020, at UFC 252.[36] Cuțelaba then pulled out on 11 August after testing positive for COVID-19 and the bout was rescheduled for UFC Fight Night 175.[37] However, the day of the event, the bout was once again scrapped after Cuțelaba tested positive for COVID-19 for a second time.[38] The bout rescheduled for the third time and they met on 24 October 2020 at UFC 254.[39] Cuțelaba lost the fight via knockout in round one.[40]

2021[edit]

Cuțelaba was scheduled to face Devin Clark on 1 May 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka.[41] However, Clark pulled out from the event, citing injury, and he was replaced by Dustin Jacoby.[42] Cuțelaba dominated the first round, however Jacoby came back in the second and third rounds with the fight ending in a split draw.[43]

The bout between Cuțelaba and Clark took place on 18 September 2021, at UFC Fight Night 192.[44] Cuțelaba knocked down Clark in round one, going on to dominate the bout and won by unanimous decision.[45]

2022[edit]

Cuțelaba was scheduled to face Ryan Spann on 26 February 2022, at UFC Fight Night 202.[46] However, Spann was pulled from the event due to injury[47] and the bout was rescheduled for UFC on ESPN 36.[48] He lost the bout via guillotine choke in the first round.[49]

Cuțelaba faced Johnny Walker on 10 September 2022, at UFC 279.[50] He lost the fight by a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.[51]

Cuțelaba faced Kennedy Nzechukwu on 19 November 2022, at UFC Fight Night 215.[52] He lost the fight via technical knockout in round two.[53]

2023[edit]

Cuțelaba faced Tanner Boser on 15 April 2023, at UFC on ESPN 44.[54] He won the fight via first-round technical knockout.[55]

Cuțelaba was scheduled to face Ovince Saint Preux on 5 August 2023, at UFC on ESPN 50.[56] However, the bout was cancelled on 20 July for unknown reasons.[57]

Cuțelaba was scheduled to face Philipe Lins on 7 October 2023 at UFC Fight Night 229.[58] However the bout was cancelled the day of the event for unknown reasons.[59]

2024[edit]

Cuțelaba faced Philipe Lins at on March 9, 2024, at UFC 299.[60] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[61]

Personal life[edit]

Cuțelaba and his wife Olga have two daughters.[62][63]

Championships and accomplishments[edit]

Mixed martial arts[edit]

Sambo[edit]

  • European Combat Sambo Federation
    • 2012 European Combat Sambo Championships Gold (90 kg)[2]

Mixed martial arts record[edit]

Professional record breakdown
29 matches 17 wins 10 losses
By knockout 13 3
By submission 2 4
By decision 2 2
By disqualification 0 1
Draws 1
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 17–10–1 (1) Philipe Lins Decision (unanimous) UFC 299 March 9, 2024 3 5:00 Miami, Florida, United States
Win 17–9–1 (1) Tanner Boser TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Holloway vs. Allen 15 April 2023 1 2:05 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Loss 16–9–1 (1) Kennedy Nzechukwu TKO (flying knee and punches) UFC Fight Night: Nzechukwu vs. Cuțelaba 19 November 2022 2 1:02 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 16–8–1 (1) Johnny Walker Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 279 10 September 2022 1 4:37 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 16–7–1 (1) Ryan Spann Submission (guillotine choke) UFC on ESPN: Błachowicz vs. Rakić 14 May 2022 1 2:22 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 16–6–1 (1) Devin Clark Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Spann 18 September 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Draw 15–6–1 (1) Dustin Jacoby Draw (split) UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka 1 May 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 15–6 (1) Magomed Ankalaev KO (punches) UFC 254 24 October 2020 1 4:19 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Loss 15–5 (1) Magomed Ankalaev TKO (head kicks and punches) UFC Fight Night: Benavidez vs. Figueiredo 29 February 2020 1 0:38 Norfolk, Virginia, United States
Win 15–4 (1) Khalil Rountree Jr. TKO (elbows) UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Cannonier 28 September 2019 1 2:35 Copenhagen, Denmark
Loss 14–4 (1) Glover Teixeira Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Jacaré vs. Hermansson 27 April 2019 2 3:37 Sunrise, Florida, United States
Win 14–3 (1) Gadzhimurad Antigulov TKO (punches and elbows) UFC on Fox: Alvarez vs. Poirier 2 28 July 2018 1 4:25 Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Win 13–3 (1) Henrique da Silva KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt 11 June 2017 1 0:22 Auckland, New Zealand
Loss 12–3 (1) Jared Cannonier Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions Finale 3 December 2016 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 12–2 (1) Jonathan Wilson Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lineker vs. Dodson 1 October 2016 3 5:00 Portland, Oregon, United States
Loss 11–2 (1) Misha Cirkunov Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Thompson 18 June 2016 3 1:22 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Return to Light Heavyweight.
Win 11–1 (1) Malik Merad KO (punch) WWFC: Cage Encounter 4 19 September 2015 1 0:08 Paris, France Catchweight (209 lb) bout.
Win 10–1 (1) Vitali Ontishchenko Submission (omoplata) WWFC: Cage Encounter 3 4 April 2015 1 2:37 Kyiv, Ukraine
Win 9–1 (1) Yuri Gorbenko TKO (punches) WWFC: Ukraine Selection 5 28 February 2015 1 1:10 Kyiv, Ukraine
Win 8–1 (1) Izidor Bunea TKO (punches) WWFC: Cage Encounter 2 13 December 2014 1 1:13 Chișinău, Moldova
Win 7–1 (1) Alexandru Stoica KO (punch) WWFC: Cage Encounter 1 14 June 2014 1 0:07 Chișinău, Moldova
Win 6–1 (1) Constantin Padure KO (punch) CSA FC: Adrenaline 4 April 2014 1 1:05 Chișinău, Moldova
Win 5–1 (1) Igor Gorkun KO (punch) GEFC: Battle on the Gold Mountain 21 December 2013 1 0:28 Uzhhorod, Ukraine
Loss 4–1 (1) Michał Andryszak DQ (punches to back of head) Cage Warriors 58 24 August 2013 1 4:07 Grozny, Russia
NC 4–0 (1) Murod Hanturaev NC (referee error) Alash Pride: Grand Prix 2013 7 July 2013 1 0:24 Almaty, Kazakhstan Originally a TKO win for Hanturaev; overturned due to a referee error.
Win 4–0 Anatoli Ciumac TKO (punches) ECSF: Battle of Bessarabia 24 March 2013 2 0:29 Chișinău, Moldova
Win 3–0 Igor Kukurudziak Submission (omoplata) ECSF: Adrenaline 14 December 2012 1 0:42 Chișinău, Moldova Heavyweight debut.
Win 2–0 Julian Chilikov TKO (punches) The Battle For Ruse 22 June 2012 1 0:25 Ruse, Bulgaria
Win 1–0 Daglar Gasimov TKO (punches) CIS Cup 2012 5 April 2012 1 0:27 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

[64]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Zane Simon (30 March 2016). "Welcome to the UFC, Cutelaba & Elmose". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d "Ion Cutelaba". Tapology. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  3. ^ "Les élèves du MMAFACTORY". Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  4. ^ Staff (29 March 2016). "Multiple fight bookings made official for UFC Fight Night 89". themmareport.com. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  5. ^ Steven Marrocco (18 June 2016). "UFC Fight Night 89 results: Misha Cirkunov taps Ion Cutelaba with third-round arm-triangle choke". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  6. ^ Ben Fowlkes (1 October 2016). "UFC Fight Night 96 results: Ion Cutelaba sweeps Jonathan Wilson for first UFC victory". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  7. ^ Staff (20 October 2016). "Jared Cannonier vs. Ion Cutelaba added to TUF 24 Finale". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  8. ^ Ben Fowlkes (3 December 2016). "TUF 24 Finale results: Jared Cannonier outworks Ion Cutelaba in move to light heavyweight". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  9. ^ a b Staff (4 December 2016). "TUF 24 Finale bonuses: What bout upset Benavidez-Cejudo to win 'Fight of the Night'?". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  10. ^ Staff (31 May 2017). "2 new bouts complete next week's UFC Fight Night 110 lineup in New Zealand". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  11. ^ Ben Fowlkes (10 June 2017). "UFC Fight Night 110 results: Ion Cutelaba destroys Henrique da Silva in 22 seconds". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  12. ^ Adam Haynes (13 August 2017). "UFC 217: Ion Cutelaba announces bout with Gadzhimurad Antigulov". mmanews.com. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  13. ^ "Michał Oleksiejczuk w UFC – powalczy z Ionem Cutelabą na UFC 217". Lowking.pl (in Polish). 13 October 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  14. ^ "Ion Cutelaba flagged for possible USADA violation, removed from UFC 217". MMAjunkie. 3 November 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  15. ^ "UFC's Ion Cutelaba accepts six-month USADA suspension for ozone therapy administration". MMAjunkie. 8 March 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  16. ^ Staff (27 April 2018). "UFC on FOX 30 official for Calgary, eight fights added to lineup". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  17. ^ "UFC on FOX 30 results: Ion Cutelaba turns tables on Gadzhimurad Antigulov for first-round TKO". MMAjunkie. 28 July 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  18. ^ "Glover Teixeira vs. Ion Cutelaba set for first UFC on ESPN+ card". www.mmafighting.com. 9 November 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  19. ^ Jay Pettry. "Ion Cutelaba injured, out of bout with Glover Teixeira at UFC Brooklyn". Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  20. ^ DNA, MMA (6 February 2019). "Poging twee: Glover Teixeira vs. Ion Cutelaba tijdens UFC on ESPN 3 in Miami". Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  21. ^ "UFC on ESPN+ 8 play-by-play and live results". MMA Junkie. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  22. ^ Staff (12 July 2019). "Ion Cutelaba vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. officially confirmed for UFC Copenhagen". mmadnanl.com (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  23. ^ Anderson, Jay (28 September 2019). "UFC Copenhagen Results: Ion Cuțelaba Smashes Khalil Rountree Jr". Cageside Press. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  24. ^ Nolan King (2 January 2020). "Three bouts added to growing UFC on ESPN+ 27 lineup". www.mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  25. ^ Fuentes, Jon (29 February 2020). "UFC Norfolk Results: Magomed Ankalaev Gets Controversial Stoppage Win Over Ion Cuțelaba". Cageside Press. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  26. ^ MMAJunkie Staff (29 February 2020). "UFC on ESPN+ 27 results: Magomed Ankalaev takes controversial TKO over Ion Cutelaba". www.mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  27. ^ Chris Taylor (29 February 2020). "UFC Fighters react to terrible stoppage in Ankalaev vs. Cutelaba fight". bjpenn.com. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  28. ^ "'Unbelievably bad': UFC fans erupt over 'worst stoppage ever'". au.sports.yahoo.com. March 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  29. ^ "UFC 169: UFC Fight Night 169, referee stoppage, worst stoppage ever, Magomed Ankalaev, Ion Cutelaba". Fox Sports. 1 March 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  30. ^ Marrocco, Steven (2 March 2020). "Virginia commission to review expected Ion Cutelaba appeal after UFC Norfolk loss to Magomed Ankalaev". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  31. ^ "Virginia athletic commission likely to review controversial TKO stoppage at UFC Norfolk". www.sportskeeda.com. 3 March 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  32. ^ Tristen Critchfield (21 April 2020). "Virginia Commission Denies Ion Cutelaba's Appeal of Loss to Magomed Ankalaev". sherdog.com.
  33. ^ Martin, Damon (5 March 2020). "Ion Cutelaba vs. Magomed Ankalaev re-booked for UFC 249 following controversial stoppage". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  34. ^ DNA, MMA (7 April 2020). "Verschillende gevechten voor aankomende evenementen bekend gemaakt". Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  35. ^ Brett Okamoto (9 April 2020). "Dana White says UFC 249 will not happen April 18". espn.com. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  36. ^ Staff (12 June 2020). "Rematch after controversial first game between Magomed Ankalaev and Ion Cutelaba at UFC 252". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 12 June 2020. (in Dutch)
  37. ^ Steven Marrocco and Damon Martin (11 August 2020). "Ion Cuțelaba tests positive for COVID-19, rematch against Magomed Ankalaev bumped from UFC 252 to August 29 event". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  38. ^ Guillherme Cruz (29 August 2020). "Ion Cutelaba vs. Magomed Ankalaev pulled from UFC Vegas 8 due to positive COVID-19 test". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  39. ^ Zane Simon (9 September 2020). "Fifth time's a charm - UFC re-books Cutelaba vs. Ankalaev again". Bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  40. ^ Doherty, Dan (24 October 2020). "UFC 254 Results: Magomed Ankalaev Settles Score, Sleeps Ion Cutelaba". Cageside Press. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  41. ^ Redactie (17 February 2021). "Ion Cutelaba vs. Devin Clark added to UFC event on May 1". mma.dna.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  42. ^ DNA, MMA (20 April 2021). "Short notice partij voor Dustin Jacoby tegen Ion Cutelaba op 1 mei in Las Vegas". MMA DNA. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  43. ^ "UFC on ESPN 23 results: Heated Ion Cutelaba vs. Dustin Jacoby fight ends in draw". MMA Junkie. 2 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  44. ^ DNA, MMA (16 June 2021). "BREAKING: Ion Cutelaba vs. Devin Clark opnieuw geboekt, ditmaal voor 18 september". MMA DNA. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  45. ^ "UFC Vegas 37 Highlights: Ion Cutelaba Dominates Devin Clark". MMA News. 19 September 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  46. ^ DNA, MMA (30 December 2021). "Light-Heavyweight partij tussen Ryan Spann en Ion Cutelaba op 26 februari in Las Vegas". MMA DNA. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  47. ^ "Ion Cuțelaba vs. Ryan Spann off UFC Fight Night 202 on Feb. 26". MMA Junkie. 3 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  48. ^ "UFC | Spann vs. Cutelaba opnieuw ingepland, ditmaal voor 14 mei in Las Vegas". Eurosport (in Dutch). 23 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  49. ^ Doherty, Dan (15 May 2022). "UFC Vegas 54: Ryan Spann Chokes Out Ion Cutelaba in First". Cageside Press. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  50. ^ Dinks Heck (21 July 2022). "Johnny Walker vs. Ion Cutelaba on tap for UFC 279". mma fighting.com. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  51. ^ Doherty, Dan (10 September 2022). "UFC 279: Johnny Walker Quickly Submits Ion Cutelaba in First Round". Cageside Press. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  52. ^ Mike Bohn and Nolan King (28 October 2022). "Ion Cutelaba vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu added to UFC Fight Night 215 on Nov. 19". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  53. ^ Dewar, Val (19 November 2022). "UFC Vegas 65: Kennedy Nzechukwu Finishes Ion Cutelaba in Impromptu Main Event". Cageside Press. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  54. ^ Mike Heck (19 February 2023). "Tanner Boser moving down to 205 pounds, will face Ion Cutelaba at UFC Kansas City". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  55. ^ Anderson, Jay (15 April 2023). "UFC Kansas City: Ion Cuțelaba Stuns Tanner Boser, Secures TKO Finish". Cageside Press. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  56. ^ King, Nolan (7 June 2023). "Tennessee's Ovince Saint Preux meets Ion Cutelaba at UFC Fight Night expected for Nashville". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  57. ^ "BREAKING: Another fight called off from UFC Nashville card". sportskeeda.com.
  58. ^ Desk, ITN News (1 September 2023). "Philipe Lins vs Ion Cutelaba Reported for UFC Vegas 80". www.itnwwe.com. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  59. ^ Dan Hiergesell (6 October 2023). "Report: UFC Vegas 80 loses light heavyweight barn burner in final moments". mmamania.com. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  60. ^ Meshew, Jed (9 February 2024). "Philipe Lins takes on Ion Cutelaba at UFC 299". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  61. ^ Law, Eddie (10 March 2024). "Philipe Lins Decimates Cutelaba's Lead Leg To Decision Win". Cageside Press. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  62. ^ Tudor Leonte (26 April 2020). "Ion Cutelaba Unlikely to Fight in Virginia Again After Having Appeal Denied". sherdog.com.
  63. ^ Ion Cuțelaba [@ioncutelaba] (25 February 2021). "Welcome my little princess!" – via Instagram.
  64. ^ Sherdog.com. "Ion". Sherdog. Retrieved 10 November 2018.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ion_Cuțelaba&oldid=1213053111"