Ion Cutelaba

Ion Cutelaba
Born (1993-12-14) 14 December 1993 (age 32)
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 of
Chișinău, Moldova
TeamTimoshkov Sport Club
CSA Moldova
MMA Factory
Years active2012–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total33
Wins20
By knockout13
By submission4
By decision3
Losses11
By knockout3
By submission4
By decision3
By disqualification1
Draws1
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

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

Background

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

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Cutelaba 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.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

2016

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

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

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

2017

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

Cutelaba was expected to face Gadzhimurad Antigulov on 4 November 2017, at UFC 217. However, Antigulov pulled out of the fight on 26 September citing an injury and was replaced by newcomer Michał Oleksiejczuk. In turn after the weigh-ins, Cutelaba was pulled from the event by USADA due to a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from its investigation into voluntary disclosures by Cutelaba during an out-of-competition sample collections on 18 and 19 October. He was provisionally suspended and the bout was scrapped. 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. Cutelaba became eligible to fight again on 6 May 2018.

2018

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

2019

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

Cutelaba faced Khalil Rountree Jr. on 28 September 2019, at UFC Fight Night 160. He won via TKO in the first round.

2020

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

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

2021

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

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

2022

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

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

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

2023

Cutelaba faced Tanner Boser on 15 April 2023, at UFC on ESPN 44. He won the fight via first-round technical knockout.

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

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

2024

Cutelaba faced Philipe Lins on 9 March 2024, at UFC 299. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Cutelaba faced promotional newcomer Ivan Erslan on 28 September 2024 at UFC Fight Night 243. He won the fight by split decision.

2025

Cutelaba faced Ibo Aslan on 22 February 2025 at UFC Fight Night 252. He won the fight via an arm-triangle choke submission in the first round.

Cutelaba faced former Cage Warriors Light Heavyweight Champion Modestas Bukauskas on 10 May 2025 at UFC 315. He lost the fight by split decision.

2026

Cutelaba faced Oumar Sy on 14 March 2026 at UFC Fight Night 269. He won the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the first round.

Cutelaba faced Navajo Stirling on 20 June 2026 at UFC Fight Night 279. He lost the fight by technical knockout in the second round.

Personal life

Cutelaba and his wife Olga have two daughters.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Sambo

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
34 matches 20 wins 12 losses
By knockout 13 4
By submission 4 4
By decision 3 3
By disqualification 0 1
Draws 1
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 20–12–1 (1) Navajo Stirling TKO (punches and elbows) UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Horiguchi 20 June 2026 2 3:23 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 20–11–1 (1) Oumar Sy Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Vallejos 14 March 2026 1 4:24 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 19–11–1 (1) Modestas Bukauskas Decision (split) UFC 315 10 May 2025 3 5:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 19–10–1 (1) İbo Aslan Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Song 22 February 2025 1 2:51 Seattle, Washington, United States
Win 18–10–1 (1) Ivan Erslan Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Saint Denis 28 September 2024 3 5:00 Paris, France
Loss 17–10–1 (1) Philipe Lins Decision (unanimous) UFC 299 9 March 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) World Warriors FC: Cage Encounter 4 19 September 2015 1 0:08 Paris, France Catchweight (209 lb) bout.
Win 10–1 (1) Vitali Ontishchenko Submission (omoplata) World Warriors FC: Cage Encounter 3 4 April 2015 1 2:37 Kyiv, Ukraine
Win 9–1 (1) Yuri Gorbenko TKO (punches) World Warriors FC: Ukraine Selection 5 28 February 2015 1 1:10 Kyiv, Ukraine
Win 8–1 (1) Izidor Bunea TKO (punches) World Warriors FC: Cage Encounter 2 13 December 2014 1 1:13 Chișinău, Moldova
Win 7–1 (1) Alexandru Stoica KO (punch) World Warriors FC: Cage Encounter 1 14 June 2014 1 0:07 Chișinău, Moldova
Win 6–1 (1) Constantin Padure KO (punch) Combat Sambo Federation of Moldova: Adrenaline 4 April 2014 1 1:05 Chișinău, Moldova
Win 5–1 (1) Igor Gorkun KO (punch) Grand European FC: 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 (punches) win for Hanturaev; overturned due to a referee error.
Win 4–0 Anatoli Ciumac TKO (punches) European Combat Sambo Federation: Battle of Bessarabia 24 March 2013 2 0:29 Chișinău, Moldova
Win 3–0 Igor Kukurudziak Submission (omoplata) European Combat Sambo Federation: 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 Pankration Cup 2012 5 April 2012 1 0:27 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia Light Heavyweight debut.

See also

References

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  3. ↑ "Les élèves du MMAFACTORY". Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  4. ↑ DNA, MMA. "Ion Cutelaba". MMA DNA. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  5. ↑ Staff (29 March 2016). "Multiple fight bookings made official for UFC Fight Night 89". themmareport.com. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ Staff (20 October 2016). "Jared Cannonier vs. Ion Cutelaba added to TUF 24 Finale". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  9. ↑ 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.
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  11. ↑ 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.
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  17. ↑ Staff (27 April 2018). "UFC on FOX 30 official for Calgary, eight fights added to lineup". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
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  34. ↑ Martin, Damon (5 March 2020). "Ion Cutelaba vs. Magomed Ankalaev re-booked for UFC 249 following controversial stoppage". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
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  36. ↑ Brett Okamoto (9 April 2020). "Dana White says UFC 249 will not happen April 18". espn.com. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
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  53. ↑ 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.
  54. ↑ Dewar, Val (19 November 2022). "UFC Vegas 65: Kennedy Nzechukwu Finishes Ion Cutelaba in Impromptu Main Event". Cageside Press. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  55. ↑ 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.
  56. ↑ Anderson, Jay (15 April 2023). "UFC Kansas City: Ion Cutelaba Stuns Tanner Boser, Secures TKO Finish". Cageside Press. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  57. ↑ 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.
  58. ↑ "BREAKING: Another fight called off from UFC Nashville card". sportskeeda.com.
  59. ↑ "Philipe Lins vs Ion Cutelaba Reported for UFC Vegas 80". www.itnwwe.com. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  60. ↑ Dan Hiergesell (6 October 2023). "Report: UFC Vegas 80 loses light heavyweight barn burner in final moments". mmamania.com. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  61. ↑ Meshew, Jed (9 February 2024). "Philipe Lins takes on Ion Cutelaba at UFC 299". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  62. ↑ Law, Eddie (10 March 2024). "Philipe Lins Decimates Cutelaba's Lead Leg To Decision Win". Cageside Press. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  63. ↑ Drake Riggs (19 July 2024). "Morning Report: Conor McGregor says Michael Chandler fight 'is rescheduled for the end of this calendar year' - Fight Announcements". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  64. ↑ Shawn Bitter (28 September 2024). "Ion Cutelaba Deals Erslan Decision Loss In UFC Debut". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  65. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Report: Ion Cutelaba to Face Ibo Aslan at UFC Event on Feb. 22". Sherdog. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  66. ↑ Jay Anderson (22 February 2025). "UFC Seattle: Always Powerful Ion Cutelaba Goes Submission Route, Taps Ibo Aslan". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  67. ↑ Sports News Portal (27 February 2025). "Dvikovos Modestas Bukauskas pasirašė kitos kovos kontraktą: aiškėja, kas gali tapti jo varžovu". tv3.lt. Retrieved 28 February 2025. (in Lithuanian)
  68. ↑ Mathis Desjardins (10 May 2025). "Modestas Bukauskas Earns Bizzare Scorecard In Win Over Cutelaba". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
  69. ↑ Farah Hannoun, Nolan King and Matt Erickson (11 January 2026). "Oumar Sy books a meet-Cute(laba) for UFC Fight Night 269". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
  70. ↑ Jay Anderson (14 March 2026). "UFC Vegas 114: Ion Cutelaba catches Oumar Sy in slick mounted guillotine". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  71. ↑ Bartłomiej Stachura (26 April 2026). "Niepokonany Navajo Stirling zmierzy się z zaprawionym w bojach Ionem Cutelabą na czerwcowej gali UFC Vegas". lowking.pl. Retrieved 30 April 2026. (in Polish)
  72. ↑ Eddie Law (20 June 2026). "Navajo Stirling survives scare, finishes Cutelaba at UFC Vegas 119". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
  73. ↑ Tudor Leonte (26 April 2020). "Ion Cutelaba Unlikely to Fight in Virginia Again After Having Appeal Denied". sherdog.com.
  74. ↑ Ion Cutelaba [@ioncutelaba]; (25 February 2021). "Welcome my little princess!" – via Instagram.
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