After their controversial fight at UFC Norfolk, Magomed Anaklaev and Ion Cutelaba are scheduled to run it back at UFC 249.
The first meeting between Ankalaev and Cutelaba at UFC Norfolk was a fight that many fans were looking forward to. The emotions were running high before the bout even began, with Cutelaba charging across the Octagon at Anaklaev, forcing the security to separate the two fighters.
Early in the 1st-round, Ankalaev caught Cutelaba with some hard punches and kicks, which appeared to have hurt the Moldovan. Cutelaba was wobbling his head, but has since come out and said that he pretending to be hurt in an attempt to lure Ankalaev in. Yet, referee Kevin MacDonald stepped in and called a stop to the contest, while Cutelaba was throwing an overhand right.
Cutelaba protested the end of the fight immediately and many fans on social media called it the worst stoppage in UFC history. Veteran referee “Big” John McCarthy also commented on the stoppage, calling it “horrendous”.
Following the controversial stoppage at UFC Norfolk, ESPN’s Brett Okamoto reports that the two will run it back at UFC 249.
“Breaking: Per sources, UFC rebooking last week’s controversial bout between Ion Cutelaba and Magomed Ankalaev to UFC 249 in April in Brooklyn.”
After the controversial stoppage, Cutelaba stated that he plans to appeal it, calling it an “injustice”. What the status of that appeal is not known at this time.
“Tonight I was denied a chance to Show my work to the fans. Refereeing is a very hard job and tonight a mistake took away months of hard work and possible income from my family. I know that the commission will be able to understand that this was a incorrect call and will reverse the decision. Nobody wins in a situation like this, the fans lost on watching What Could be the fight of the Night, my opponent had a contestable win that will be overturned and I had one of the worst calls in @ufc history happen Against me. I appreciate all the support from the fans in Norfolk, back home and all offer the world. I will be back and I believe that We will together be able to correct this injustice.”
Magomed Ankalaev has a professional MMA record of 14-1 and is currently on a 4-fight winning streak, with a UFC record of 4-1. Ankalaev has only lost to Paul Craig inside the Octagon, in a bout where he was submitted with just 1 second left in the round.
Meanwhile, Ion Cutelaba is 15-5 with 1 no-contest. Prior to his loss to Ankalaev he stopped Khalil Rountree Jr via TKO. He is 4-4 in the UFC, with his other losses being to ranked opponents in Jared Cannonier, Glover Teixeira, and Misha Cirkunov.
This article first appeared on CLOSEDGUARDMEDIA.com on 6th March, 2020.
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