Tag: Ion Cutelaba

UFC 254 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Khabib, Gaethje combine for $80k total

Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 254 took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $215,000.

ABU DHABI – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 254 event took home event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $215,000.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC 254 took place at Flash Forum at Yas Island. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.

The full UFC 254 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag]: $40,000
def. [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag]: $40,000

[autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag]: $15,000
def. [autotag]Jared Cannonier[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Alexander Volkov[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Walt Harris[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Phil Hawes[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Jacob Malkoun[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Lauren Murphy[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Liliya Shakirova[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Ion Cutelaba[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Tai Tuivasa[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Stefan Struve[/autotag]: $20,000

[autotag]Casey Kenney[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Nathaniel Wood[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Alex Oliveira[/autotag]: $15,000

[autotag]Da Un Jung[/autotag]: $3,500
vs. [autotag]Sam Alvey[/autotag]: $15,000

[autotag]Miranda Maverick[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Liana Jojua[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Joel Alvarez[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Alexander Yakovlev[/autotag]: $5,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Reebok’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $3,500 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,000; 6-10 bouts get $5,000; 11-15 bouts earn $10,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $15,000; and 21 bouts and more get $20,000. Additionally, champions earn $40,000 while title challengers get $30,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2020 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $5,405,500
2019 total: $7,370,500
2018 total: $6,901,000
2017 total: $6,295,000
2016 total: $7,138,000
2015 total: $3,185,000
Program-to-date total: $36,410,000

Ion Cutelaba tests positive for COVID-19, Magomed Ankalaev rematch off UFC on ESPN+ 33

The anticipated rematch between Ion Cutelaba and Magomed Ankalaev has been called off yet again.

The anticipated rematch between [autotag]Ion Cutelaba[/autotag] and [autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag] has been called off yet again.

Just hours before the light heavyweights were set to run it back tonight at UFC on ESPN+ 33, the promotion announced Cutelaba (15-5 MMA, 4-4 UFC) has tested positive for COVID-19 and been removed from bout with Ankalaev (13-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC).

The promotion released a statement on its official website addressing the situation.

“Due to a positive COVID-19 test, Ion Cutelaba’s light heavyweight fight against Magomed Ankalaev has been removed from today’s undercard and will be rescheduled for a later date,” the statement read.

More on this in a moment.

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Ion Cutelaba plotting revenge over Magomed Ankalaev in UFC on ESPN+ 33 rematch

Ion Cutelaba discusses his long-awaited rematch with Magomed Ankalaev and more ahead of UFC on ESPN+ 33.

Ahead of UFC on ESPN+ 33, [autotag]Ion Cutelaba[/autotag] spoke with reporters Wednesday during media day.

Cutelaba (15-5 MMA, 4-4 UFC) discussed his light heavyweight rematch with Magomed Ankalaev (13-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC), the multiple postponements of the matchup, Jon Jones’ move up to the heavyweight division and more.

You can watch the full interview in the video above.

UFC on ESPN+ 33 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card streams on ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN.

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Ion Cutelaba tests positive for COVID-19; Magomed Ankalaev rematch off of UFC 252

Ion Cutelaba and Magomed Ankalaev won’t be running it back at UFC 252.

[autotag]Ion Cutelaba[/autotag] and [autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag] won’t be running it back at UFC 252.

Ahead of Saturday’s rematch at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Cutelaba (15-5 MMA, 4-4 UFC) was removed from the fight following a positive COVID-19 test. As a result, Cutelaba is currently in quarantine.

A person with knowledge of the situation informed MMA Junkie of the situation after an initial report by TASS. The person asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

No replacement will be sought to face Ankalaev (13-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC), but the fight “will likely” be rebooked for Aug. 29, according to one source.

The original fight between the two light heavyweight competitors took place at UFC on ESPN+ 27 in February. After a sequence of brain-rattling kicks and punches from Ankalaev, referee Kevin MacDonald waived off the fight. The stoppage came despite Cutelaba still being on his feet and throwing back, which got a protest out of the Moldovan fighter as well as many fans and media members.

The fight was immediately rebooked for April 18, however, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the event to be canceled.

UFC 252 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN/ESPN+.

With Cutelaba’s removal, the latest UFC 252 lineup includes:

  • Champ Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier – for heavyweight title
  • Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon Vera
  • Junior Dos Santos vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
  • John Dodson vs. Merab Dvalishvili
  • Livinha Souza vs. Ashley Yoder
  • Felice Herrig vs. Virna Jandiroba
  • Jorge Gonzalez vs. Ike Villanueva
  • Herbert Burns vs. Daniel Pineda
  • Chris Daukaus vs. Parker Porter
  • Kai Kamaka III vs. Tony Kelley

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba rematch in the works for UFC 252

Magomed Ankalaev and Ion Cutelaba will finally get to run things back when they square off at UFC 252.

[autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag] and [autotag]Ion Cutelaba[/autotag] will finally get to run things back.

Ankalaev (13-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) takes on Cutelaba (15-5 MMA, 4-4 UFC) at UFC 252 on Aug. 15, MMA Junkie confirmed the targeted booking after an initial report from MMA Fighting. The event does not have an official location at this time.

The pair were scheduled to rematch at UFC 249 on April 18, but the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ankalaev stopped Cutelaba in just 38 seconds in their first meeting in February. Referee Kevin MacDonald stopped the fight after Cutelaba appeared to be still responsive on his feet. The fight was ruled a TKO win for Ankalaev.

After dropping his UFC debut, top 15-ranked light heavyweight Ankalaev has won four in a row, which includes three stoppages and two “Performance of the Night” bonuses.

Cutelaba has split his past four appearances, but has two wins over Gadzhimurad Antigulov and Khalil Rountree in the first round.

With the addition, the current UFC 252 lineup includes:

  • Champ Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier – for heavyweight title
  • Felice Herrig vs. Virna Jandiroba
  • Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba

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UFC on ESPN+ 29 free fight: Glover Teixeira rallies to submit Ion Cutelaba

Glover Teixeira had to overcome some early adversity before eventually submitting Moldovan powerhouse Ion Cutelaba at UFC on ESPN+ 8.

[autotag]Glover Teixeira[/autotag] was forced to overcome adversity before he could claim victory over [autotag]Ion Cutelaba[/autotag].

Teixeira (30-7 MMA, 13-5 UFC) faced Cutelaba at UFC on ESPN+ 8 last April as the Brazilian veteran looked to claim back-to-back wins for the first time since 2016.

Teixeira had to weather an early storm as Cutelaba connected with a head-kick in the opening exchanges. The Moldovan powerhouse managed to stuff Teixeira’s first few takedown attempts, then landed a spinning back fist that wobbled the Brazilian and had him in all sorts of trouble.

Teixeira survived the round and, with Cutelaba tiring in Round 2 after his all-out attack in Round 1, he looked to capitalize. Cutelaba threw a knee but Teixeira pushed him off, then followed his man to the mat and established top position.

With the action on the mat, Teixeira’s ground game proved to be too slick for Cutelaba as he easily transitioned from full mount to the back before sinking in the rear-naked choke to claim a second-round submission victory.

Teixeira followed up that win by edging out Nikita Krylov last September as he took his win streak to three. Now he’s set to face Anthony Smith this Wednesday in the UFC on ESPN+ 29 headliner, knowing that an impressive win could push him right back into title contention once again.

Before he faces Smith, relive Teixeira’s submission win over Cutelaba in the video above.

UFC on ESPN+ 29 takes place Wednesday at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. The card streams on ESPN+.

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Ion Cutelaba vs. Ovince Saint Preux targeted for UFC on ESPN+ 31 on April 25

With both men losing their original opponents, light heavyweights Ion Cutelaba and Ovince Saint Preux will now face off at UFC on ESPN+ 31.

With both men losing their original opponents, [autotag]Ion Cutelaba[/autotag] is expected to face [autotag]Ovince Saint Preux[/autotag] on April 25.

Cutelaba (15-5 MMA, 4-4 UFC) was scheduled to face Magomed Ankalaev for a second time at UFC 249 on Apr. 18, but Ankalaev is currently stuck in Russia due to the travel ban imposed amid the coronavirus outbreak, and as a result is currently frozen out of their planned rematch.

Meanwhile Saint-Preux (24-13 MMA, 13-8 UFC), who was booked to face Shamil Gamzatov at UFC on ESPN+ 31, also lost his opponent due to travel restrictions, so Cutelaba will now face Saint Preux on that card instead. MMA Junkie verified the targeted matchup after an initial report from MMA Fighting.

Cutelaba was hoping to run things back with Ankalaev after he was controversially stopped just 38 seconds into the first round at UFC on ESPN+ 27. Prior to that, Cutelaba had claimed a first-round finish of Khalil Rountree.

In his most recent outing, Saint Preux snapped a two-fight losing streak as he used his go-to submission technique, the “Von Flue/Von Preux” choke to defeat Michal Oleksiejczuk last September.

The location for the event is yet to be announced but is expected to be headlined by Anthony Smith and Glover Teixeira.

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Magomed Ankalaev’s UFC 249 rematch with Ion Cutelaba in limbo after Russia travel ban

A newly imposed Russian travel ban could hinder Magomed Ankalaev from fighting Ion Cutelaba at UFC 249.

Even if the UFC succeeds in putting on UFC 249 next month, the amount of logistical issues could be detrimental to the event. That’s already proving to be the case for one matchup.

Light heavyweights [autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag] and [autotag]Ion Cutelaba[/autotag] are set to rematch on the April 18 card, but now that fight is in limbo due to some new travel sanctions.

Ankalaev, who lives in Russia, could be hindered by the country’s decision Saturday to ban all cross-border travel because of the global coronavirus pandemic. As of Monday, anyone outside of “diplomats or members of official delegations” will not be allowed to cross the Russian border.

UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is expected to face Tony Ferguson in the UFC 249 main event, already has left the country, according to reports, after returning there once a stay-at-home order was issued in California, where American Kickboxing Academy is based in San Jose. Now Ankalaev faces a difficult decision of what to do, as he explained on social media (via Instagram w/translation from Google):

View this post on Instagram

🔥Ровно через три недели состоится реванш Магомеда Анкалаева против Иона Куцелабы . ◽Как полетит на этот бой Анкалаев будет для нас большой загадкой , так как с сегодняшнего дня на неопределенный срок авиаперелёты из России в другие страны ЗАПРЕЩЕНЫ! . ◽Хабиб и остальные члены его команды успели вчера уехать из России, Анкалаеву стоило поступить так же и уехать из страны вчера же. . 💬Мое мнение : Я думаю что на 60% бой Анкалаева на турнире UFC 249 не состоится……..!

A post shared by 🅼🅰🅶🅾🅼🅴🅳 🅰🅽🅺🅰🅻🅰🅴🆅 (@team_ankalaev) on

How I will fly to this battle will be a big mystery for us, since from today for an indefinite period air flights from Russia to other countries are FORBIDDEN!

Khabib (Nurmagomedov) and the rest of his team managed to leave Russia yesterday, I should have done the same and left the country yesterday.

I think that 60% of the fight at the UFC 249 tournament will not take place!

If Ankalaev manages to leave Russia before the deadline, there’s still the question of where he’s supposed to go. UFC president Dana White insists he has a handful of potential locations for the card, but it remains unknown whether those venues are in the U.S. or international.

White has said already that he expects fights to fall off UFC 249 due to travel issues associated with coronavirus but promised to salvage the card.

After Ankalaev beat Cutelaba in a controversial first-round TKO at UFC on ESPN+ 28 in February, the pair was booked for an immediate rematch. It appears now, though, that might have to wait.

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Ion Cutelaba-Magomed Ankalaev rematch booked for UFC 249 following controversial finish

Amid heavy controversy, Ion Cutelaba and Magomed Ankalaev will run things back immediately.

Amid heavy controversy, [autotag]Ion Cutelaba[/autotag] and [autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag] will run things back.

Cutelaba (15-5 MMA, 4-4 UFC) and Ankalaev (13-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) will rematch less than two months after their UFC on ESPN+ 27 fight, when the two square off April 18 at UFC 249 in Brooklyn. MMA Junkie confirmed the matchup after an initial report from ESPN.

The two faced off last Saturday in Norfolk, where referee Kevin MacDonald made the wrong decision to stop to the fight just 38 seconds in after Cutelaba was very much still responsive on his feet. The fight was ruled a TKO win for Ankalaev.

Cutelaba partially blocked an Ankalaev head kick, which forced him backwards, but as soon as he tried to return fire, the referee intervened and waived the fight off.

A fully conscious Cutelaba immediately protested the stoppage. He later claimed that he was playing possum to try and bait Ankalaev, but unfortunately the strategy cost him. An irate Cutelaba requested for the outcome to be overturned, and while he didn’t get his wish, he will get an opportunity to avenge the loss on his record.

[jwplayer omBGL8Hj-FLu19iir]

With the addition, the UFC 249 lineup now includes:

  • Champ Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson – for lightweight title
  • Uriah Hall vs. Ronaldo Souza
  • Jessica Andrade vs. Rose Namajunas
  • Ben Rothwell vs. Gian Villante
  • Calvin Kattar vs. Jeremy Stephens
  • Ottman Azaitar vs. Khama Worthy
  • Sijara Eubanks vs. Sarah Moras
  • Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. TBA
  • Makhmud Muradov vs. Karl Roberson
  • Lyman Good vs. Belal Muhammad
  • Hunter Azure vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
  • Alexander Hernandez vs. Islam Makhachev
  • Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba

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UFC on ESPN+ 27 medical suspensions: Joseph Benavidez facing lengthy sit after loss

Joseph Benavidez is among seven fighters facing medical suspensions after UFC on ESPN+ 27.

[autotag]Joseph Benavidez[/autotag] is among seven fighters facing medical suspensions after UFC on ESPN+ 27.

Tuesday, MMA Junkie acquired a list of medical suspensions from the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, the commissioning body that oversaw the event.

In his third UFC title fight, Benavidez (28-6 MMA, 15-4 UFC) was once again unsuccessful. In Round 2, Benavidez was bloodied by a clash of heads and knocked out moments later by Deiveson Figueiredo.

As a result of injuries sustained, Benavidez was suspended 90 days by regulatory body. Public documents show a suture as a reason for suspension.

Complete UFC on ESPN+ 27 medical suspensions:

[autotag]Norma Dumont[/autotag]: Suspended 60 days with no contact, or until cleared by physician.

[autotag]Aalon Cruz[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact, or until cleared by physician.

[autotag]TJ Brown[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact, or until cleared by physician.

[autotag]Tom Breese[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact, or until cleared by physician.

[autotag]Ion Cutelaba[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact, or until cleared by physician.

Joseph Benavidez: Suspended 90 days with no contact, or until suture is cleared by physician.

[autotag]Zarah Fairn[/autotag]: Suspended 60 days with no contact or until left orbital x-ray is cleared by physician.

UFC on ESPN+ 27 took place Saturday at Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Va. It streamed on ESPN+.

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