Report: Ion Cutelaba Tests Positive For COVID-19, Fight With Ankalaev Moved To August 29 Card
The grudge match between Ion Cutelaba and Magomed Ankalaev has reportedly been postponed after Cutelaba allegedly tested psoitive for COVID-19.
Marcel Dorff of MMA DNA first reported the news, but there has been no comment from the UFC, Cutelaba or Ankalaev at this time.. Cutelaba and Ankalaev were scheduled to meet for a second time on the main card of UFC 252.
Cutelaba (15-5-0-1NC) lost the first encounter against Ankalaev in controversial fashion at UFC Fight Night Norfolk. The referee called off a the bout as Cutelaba looked baddly staggard on his feet; however, Cutelaba immediately protested the stoppage suggesting he was playing possum. It was his second loss in three fights.
Cutelaba will compete on a pay-per-view card for the first time in his four-year UFC tenure. Cutelaba has picked up 15 wins as a professional MMA fighter and 12 of them came by way of KO/TKO.
Ankalaev (13-1-0) has won four of five under the UFC banner. Those wins are over Marcin Prachnio, Klidson Abreu, Dalcha Lungiambula and the aforementioned Cutelaba. Ankalaev has suffered a single defeat as a professional MMA fighter and that came to Paul Craig at UFC Fight Night London. Ankalaev has picked up 13 wins as a professional MMA fighter and eight of them came by way of KO/TKO.
The UFC Fight Night card is scheduled for Saturday, August 29 from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. No main event has been announced. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event. Broadcast plans have not been revealed at this time.
