Ion Cutelaba Ethnicity/Nationality: Where is the UFC Light Heavyweight from? – Basically Sports

UFC 299 is anticipated to feature some exciting matchups. This includes a rematch between Sean O’Malley and Marlon Tito Vera alongside a crucial bout with Benoît Saint-Denis facing off against the No. 3 ranked fighter, Dustin Poirier, followed by an important match involving Petr Yan. Song Ya Dong and many other exciting fights will be part of this event.

One of the matches to watch will be the light heavyweight face-off between Ion Cutelaba and Philip Lins scheduled for the Miami, Florida card. Let’s delve into Cutelaba’s background as he gears up to clash with Lins at UFC 299.

Ion Cutelaba Background

Ion Kutelava commenced his martial arts journey as a teenager, training in Greco-Roman wrestling in Chisinau, the capital of Moldova in Eastern Europe.

Despite the limited MMA infrastructure in Moldova, Kutelava’s exceptional knockout power set him apart. He entered the MMA scene in 2012, boasting an impressive 10-1 record in Europe before signing with the UFC, with his only loss stemming from an illegal strike leading to disqualification.

Despite facing challenges in the UFC with eight losses and six wins since 2016, Kutelaba, although unranked in the 205-pound division, has become a regular due to his captivating talent and aggressive fighting style. His bout with Lins is just one of the many thrilling fights to see at UFC 299.

UFC 299 holds significance not only for Lins but also for Dustin Poirier and Kevin Holland’s future in the sport.

UFC 299 Key to Victory for Poirier and Holland’s Future

Dustin Poirier is set to mark his 30th UFC appearance, whereas Benoit Saint Denis will be stepping into the octagon for the 7th time. The fight’s victor will be propelled into the lightweight title contention, shaping the next generation alongside Arman Tsarukyan. This marks Poirier’s quest for championship fulfillment post his setback to Michael Chandler last year.

Having faced two defeats in his last three bouts, the 35-year-old acknowledged the possibility of retirement, stating, “That could happen in any battle.” in a recent interview.

Meanwhile, the experienced welterweight Kevin Holland is striving to recover from a two-fight losing streak and is set to go up against MMA standout, Michael “Venom” Page. Having secured a victory in his UFC debut, overcoming the “MVP” challenge could mark a turnaround from his previous defeat.

Also read: UFC injuries: Sean O’Malley claims he was ‘ready to die’ as UFC 299 headliner’s heroics come to light