After controversial interruption against Magomed Ankalaev, Cutelaba shoots at referee: 'He didn't let me fight'

I. Cutelaba (left) complains to M. Ankalaev about the UFC Nofolk result. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ufc_brasil

Amidst the expectation between Deiveson Figueiredo e Joseph Benavidez No. UFC Norfolk, held last Saturday (29), in the United States, a specific fight generated controversy among MMA fans. In the long-awaited clash between Io Cutelaba and Magomed Ankalayev, referee Kevin MacDonald was criticized after stopping the fight after 38 seconds because he understood that Cutelaba was unable to continue in the fight due to the blows he had suffered. Ion, however, responded to the attacks and remained standing. Questioned after the show, the Moldovan spoke about his frustration in an interview with 'ESPN'.

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“When two fighters of this level are put together to fight, they arrive to show the world a good fight. It doesn't matter, one round, three or 40 seconds. Let them fight. That referee (Kevin) doesn't know how to do that. They have to select another referee to control this type of situation,” said Ion.

Cutelaba, who began the first round suffering a series of blows from Magomed. The athlete, however, after analyzing the confrontation, did not appear to have been the victim of a knockout. Ion defended himself and, at the moment of MacDonald's interruption, responded to the attacks. The referee's action then caused the Moldovan to revolt while still in the Octagon.

“I came from Moldova to show the world that I'm the best and that referee didn't let me fight. All the attacks my opponent made I controlled. When the referee stopped the fight, I was counterpunching. That was part of my strategy and Kevin thought I had fallen, but it was part of the plan”, concluded Cutelaba.

In the confrontation against Magomed, both Ion and the Russian were looking for a great performance to get closer to the elite of the category that is today dominated by Jon Jones. The setback then interrupted Cutelaba from achieving his second consecutive victory while Ankalaev added his fourth consecutive victory.