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Light Heavyweight Division

Active

"The Hulk"

Ion Cutelaba

Light Heavyweight Division

19-10-1 (W-L-D)

13

Wins by Knockout

3

Wins by Submission

15

First Round Finishes

Ion Cutelaba
  • Upcoming fight

    Modestas Bukauskas
    Ion Cutelaba

    Bukauskas vs Cutelaba

    May. 10, 2025

athlete record

Info

Learn more about Ion Cutelaba's UFC history, fighter facts, and Q&A below.

Status
Active
Place of Birth
Moldova
Trains at
CSA Team Moldova
Fighting style
Sambo
Age
31
Height
73.00
Weight
205.00
Octagon Debut
Jun. 19, 2016
Reach
75.00
Leg reach
41.00
  • Pro since 2012
     
  • 13 wins by KO, three by submission (2 Omoplata, arm-triangle choke) – has finished all but three of his wins
     
  • 15 first round finishes
     
  • Lone pre-UFC loss in 2013 via DQ (punches to back of head)
     
  • 10 finishes in 1:13 or less
     
  • Two knockouts in less than 10 seconds
     
  • Six finishes in less than 30 seconds
     
  • Has won seven of his last 15 (7-7-1) and three of his last four

UFC Fight Night (2/22/25) Cutelaba submitted Ibo Aslan via arm-triangle choke at 2:51 of the first round

UFC Fight Night (9/28/24) Cutelaba won a three round split decision over Ivan Erslan

UFC 299 (3/9/24) Cutelaba lost a three round unanimous decision to Philipe Lins 

UFC on ESPN (4/15/23) Cutelaba stopped Tanner Boser via strikes at 2:05 of the first round 

UFC Fight Night (11/19/22) Cutelaba was stopped by Kennedy Nzechukwu via strikes at 1:02 of the second round

UFC 279 (9/10/22) Cutelaba was submitted by Johnny Walker via rear naked choke at 4:37 of the first round 

UFC on ESPN (5/14/22) Cutelaba was submitted by Ryan Spann via guillotine choke at 2:22 of the first round

UFC Fight Night (9/18/21) Cutelaba won a three round unanimous decision over Devin Clark

UFC on ESPN (5/1/21) Cutelaba fought to a three round draw with Dustin Jacoby

UFC 254 (10/24/20) Cutelaba was knocked out by Magomed Ankalaev at 4:19 of the first round

UFC Fight Night (2/29/20) Cutelaba was stopped by Magomed Ankalaev via strikes at :38 of the first round

UFC Fight Night (9/28/19) Cutelaba stopped Khalil Rountree Jr. via strikes at 2:35 of the first round

UFC Fight Night (4/27/19) Cutelaba was submitted by Glover Teixeira via rear naked choke at 3:37 of the second round

UFC on FOX (7/28/18) Cutelaba stopped Gadzhimurad Antigulov via strikes at 4:25 of the first round

UFC Fight Night (6/11/17) Cutelaba knocked out Henrique da Silva at :22 of the first round

TUF 24 Finale (12/3/16) Cutelaba lost a three round unanimous decision to Jared Cannonier

UFC Fight Night (10/1/16) Cutelaba won a three round unanimous decision over Jonathan Wilson

UFC Fight Night (6/18/16) Cutelaba was submitted by Misha Cirkunov via arm triangle at 1:22 of the third round

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started with 12 years of Greco-Roman wrestling. A man must be strong and getting past struggles is the integral part of this.

Training: The training is at its peak, I feel very good and I promise a KO.

What ranks and titles have you held? European champion in combat sambo

Do you have any heroes? I do not have heroes. There is only a person who can learn something - technique, style, the desire.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It is a goal I had since I started doing MMA. The first step is made - we are already in the organization and I will do everything to prove that the path I have chosen is not in vain.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I am a student in USM Moldova Juridic department

What was your job before you started fighting? I started my professional career at 18 years old – this has been my only job

Favorite grappling technique: Omoplata