Magomed Ankalaev Says Ref Was ‘Doing His Job,’ Doesn’t Need Rematch with Ion Cutelaba

It was one of the craziest fights in recent memory, but for almost all the wrong reasons.

Magomed Ankalaev (13-1) trounced fan favorite Ion Cutelaba in one of the featured main card fights of UFC Fight Night 169 Saturday night in Norfolk, Va., but the light heavyweight encounter was mired in controversy.

Cutelaba aggressively patrolled the Octagon during Bruce Buffer’s usual introductions, but “The Hulk” marched across the cage to confront Ankalaev, bumped him with his chest and forehead. Ankalaev instinctively tied the Moldovan up and, thankfully, security intervened and quickly pulled the fighters apart. The fight hadn’t yet started, but the wackiness had only just begun.

Cutelaba immediately engaged his foe when the horn blew, but Ankalaev quickly rocked him with head kicks and punches to the face. Cutelaba’s equilibrium was battered and, within seconds, Ankalaev was all over him, unloading everything he had in his striking arsenal. Cutelaba was stumbling everywhere, but he was throwing haymakers back at the Russian. However, veteran referee Kevin MacDonald saw “The Hulk’s” rubbery legs and though Cutelaba was firing back, he stopped the fight.

“All I can say is that I hurt him,” Ankalaev said after his 38-second TKO win. “I connected the high kick and he was wobbling and the referee stepped in to stop the fight. That’s all I have.”

As expected, the MMA world on social media erupted in disgust for MacDonald’s stoppage. Cutelaba, though hurt, was fighting back and was still upright. Fans and media demanded answers and lambasted the referee for what most considered a horrific job as an official. Cutelaba exploded in protest as soon as MacDonald stopped it and was irate on his way back to the locker rooms.

“I talked to Ion and he was complaining about the decision, but I just said the ref was doing his job,” Ankalaev said. “Ion said it was all going to plan, I don’t know what he meant.”

Fans and media instantly took to their social media accounts and pleaded for an immediate rematch, but Ankalaev isn’t so sure one is necessary.

“I don’t need the rematch,” he said. “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.”