NORFOLK, Va. – Magomed Ankalaev beat Ion Cutelaba with a controversially stopped quick TKO Saturday on the main card at UFC on ESPN+ 27 in Norfolk, Va.
Take a look inside the fight with Ankalaev, who won for the fourth straight time, albeit with many raised eyebrows wondering if Cutelaba could have continued when he was stopped by referee Kevin McDonald while still on his feet.
Result: Magomed Ankalaev def. Ion Cutelaba via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:38
Updated records: Magomed Ankalaev (12-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) vs. Ion Cutelaba (15-4 MMA, 4-3 UFC)
Key stat: Ankalaev outstruck Cutelaba 10-1, but the only stat that Cutelaba seemed to care about was that he wasn’t knocked down and wasn’t given a chance to recover.
Ankalaev on the fight’s key moment
“All I can say is that I hurt him. I connected the high kick and he was wobbling, and the referee stepped in to stop the fight. That’s all I have.”
Ankalaev on his conversation with Cutelaba
“I talked to Ion and he was complaining about the decision, but I just said the ref was doing his job. Ion said it was all going to plan. I don’t know what he meant.”
Ankalaev on what he wants next
“I don’t need the rematch, but if the UFC makes it, then I will accept. I don’t turn down fights. I will fly back home and spend time with my family because it was a long camp.”
To hear more from Ankalaev, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
