// Roster Index›Light Heavyweight›Dossier · Ion Cutelaba
UFC FIGHTER PROFILE_
UFC · UNKNOWNLIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT

Ion
Cutelaba

NICKNAME"The Hulk"·MOLDOVA
PROFESSIONAL RECORD
20-12-1
CURRENT FORM
1L STREAK
CURRENT GYM
CSA Team Moldova
NEXT FIGHT
NO BOUT ANNOUNCED
Ion Cutelaba
FIGHTER -
MOL🇲🇩
PROFILE PHOTO
PROFILE
PROFILE DATA! LIVE
HEIGHT
6'1"
REACH
6'3"
AGE
32
STANCE
SOUTHPAW
WEIGHT
Light Heavyweight
PROFESSIONAL RECORD_
34 BOUTS
WIN
20
LOSS
12
DRAW
1
WIN RATE
61%
20/34 bouts
FINISH RATE
85%
of professional wins
LAST 5 FIGHTS1L STREAK · 3-2
WWLWL
STYLE SUMMARY_
DATA: LIVE
FIGHTING STYLE
WELL ROUNDED

Well rounded fighter with elite knockout power — 65% of wins are by ko/tko.

KEY STRENGTHS

Closes distance and trades — most wins come from heavy hands inside the first two rounds.

KEY RISKS

Pressure boxers willing to wade into the pocket have found chins on offer; cardio drops in late rounds.

// PERFORMANCE_METRICS · 02_

STRIKE / GRAPPLE
VITALS

Observed profile rates compared with stored weight-class medians where coverage exists. Any fallback uses a labeled UFC reference average; no fallback is presented as a division median.

// SLPM▲ ABOVE
4.23
Strikes Landed/Min
Reference value 2.75
// STR. ACC▼ BELOW
44%
Striking Accuracy
Reference value 49%
// SAPM▼ BELOW
3.28
Strikes Absorbed/Min
Reference value 2.75
// STR. DEF▼ BELOW
48%
Striking Defense
Reference value 53%
// TD AVG▲ ABOVE
3.76
Takedowns/15 min
Reference value 1.50
// TD ACC▲ ABOVE
49%
Takedown Accuracy
Reference value 40%
// TD DEF▲ ABOVE
76%
Takedown Defense
Reference value 59%
// SUB AVG▼ BELOW
0.19
Submissions/15 min
Reference value 0.50
// QUALITY_OF_COMPETITION · 02B_

WHO THEY
ACTUALLY FOUGHT

A record says how often a fighter won, not against whom. These ratings weigh every result by the opponent's strength at the time, then compare this fighter with the 55 other rated fighters on the UFC light heavyweight roster (anyone with a UFC bout in the last two years or one booked).

// RATING
#36
of 56 on the UFC light heavyweight roster · Elo 1520
// STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
71st
percentile · average opponent rated 1567 at fight time (recent fights count most)
// RESULTS VS EXPECTATION
53rd
percentile · beat what opponents' ratings predicted (+0.05 per fight)

24 rated fights · opponents rated in 73% of recorded fights · last rated fight JUN 20, 2026

// CAREER_BREAKDOWN · 03_

WIN CONDITION MAP

Where the wins come from, and where the losses came from. Method splits by knockout, submission, and decision.

// WINS (20)
n = 20
KO/TKO · 13
SUB · 4
DEC · 3
13
KO/TKO
65%
4
SUB
20%
3
DEC
15%
// LOSSES (12)
n = 12
KO/TKO · 4
SUB · 4
DEC · 3
4
KO/TKO
33%
4
SUB
33%
3
DEC
25%
// PATH_TO_VICTORY_
85% FINISH
KO/TKOEARLY ROUNDS · 13 fights
65%
SUBANY ROUND · 4 fights
20%
DECFULL FIGHT · 3 fights
15%
Top win condition: ko/tko · early rounds.
// DNA_PROFILE · 04_

ATTRIBUTE FINGERPRINT

Evidence-backed 0-100 scores built only from observed profile stats and disclosed bout-history proxies. This is a fixed Blueprint scoring model, not a division percentile; missing axes remain unknown.

// DNA_PROFILE_
3 OBSERVED7 DERIVED0 UNKNOWN
// BENCHMARK
FIXED SCORE SCALE
// LINKED SAMPLE
34 BOUTS
// PROFILE UPDATED
OCT 25, 2026
// RECORDED SOURCE
ufcstats
Fighter attribute fingerprint10 of 10 attributes have evidence-backed scores on the Blueprint fixed scale. Unknown axes are not plotted and no score represents a division percentile.KO POWER93TD DEFENSE80GRAPPLING60CHIN73STRIKING52CARDIO54AGGRESSION68SUB THREAT20STR DEFENSE40RECOVERY64
// BANDS
90+ELITE
70-89STRONG
45-69AVERAGE
30-44BELOW
<30LOW
N/AUNKNOWN
Highest scored axis: KO Power. Lowest scored axis: Sub Threat.
// EVIDENCE REGISTER
10 SCORED · 0 OPEN
KO Power93
DERIVED PROXY

KO wins divided by total career wins

N=20 wins
TD Defense80
OBSERVED INPUT

Observed takedown defense rate (76%)

Grappling60
DERIVED PROXY

Composite of observed takedown volume, accuracy, and submission rate

Chin73
DERIVED PROXY

KO-loss durability proxy from career record

N=33 bouts
Striking52
DERIVED PROXY

Composite of observed striking volume and accuracy

Cardio54
DERIVED PROXY

Long-fight exposure proxy from bout duration and decision-win share

Aggression68
DERIVED PROXY

Activity proxy from observed strike and takedown volume

Sub Threat20
OBSERVED INPUT

Observed submission rate (0.19 per 15 min)

Str Defense40
OBSERVED INPUT

Observed striking defense rate (48%)

Recovery64
DERIVED PROXY

Share of recorded losses followed by a win in the next recorded bout.

N=12 losses
Fighter attribute fingerprint accessible data summary
AttributeScoreProvenanceEvidenceSample
KO Power93 out of 100DERIVED PROXYKO wins divided by total career wins20 wins
TD Defense80 out of 100OBSERVED INPUTObserved takedown defense rate (76%)Not recorded
Grappling60 out of 100DERIVED PROXYComposite of observed takedown volume, accuracy, and submission rateNot recorded
Chin73 out of 100DERIVED PROXYKO-loss durability proxy from career record33 bouts
Striking52 out of 100DERIVED PROXYComposite of observed striking volume and accuracyNot recorded
Cardio54 out of 100DERIVED PROXYLong-fight exposure proxy from bout duration and decision-win shareNot recorded
Aggression68 out of 100DERIVED PROXYActivity proxy from observed strike and takedown volumeNot recorded
Sub Threat20 out of 100OBSERVED INPUTObserved submission rate (0.19 per 15 min)Not recorded
Str Defense40 out of 100OBSERVED INPUTObserved striking defense rate (48%)Not recorded
Recovery64 out of 100DERIVED PROXYShare of recorded losses followed by a win in the next recorded bout.12 losses
// CAREER_MOMENTUM · 05_

THE ARC SO FAR

Rolling momentum score (0-100) recomputed after every bout. Weighted blend of result, opponent context, and method-of-finish, designed to show the shape, not the destination.

// MOMENTUM_TIMELINE_
SCOREWINLOSS
0255075100APR 2012WAPR 2012WJUN 2012WDEC 2012WMAR 2013JUL 2013LAUG 2013WDEC 2013WAPR 2014WJUN 2014WDEC 2014WFEB 2015WAPR 2015WSEP 2015LJUN 2016WOCT 2016LDEC 2016WJUN 2017WJUL 2018LAPR 2019WSEP 2019LFEB 2020LOCT 2020MAY 2021WSEP 2021LMAY 2022LSEP 2022LNOV 2022WAPR 2023LMAR 2024WSEP 2024WFEB 2025LMAY 2025WMAR 2026LJUN 2026// SCORE

  1. Start, APR 2012, momentum score 45.
  2. Start, APR 2012, momentum score 56, KO/TKO R1.
  3. Start, JUN 2012, momentum score 66, KO/TKO R1.
  4. Start, DEC 2012, momentum score 76, SUB R1.
  5. Start, MAR 2013, momentum score 85, KO/TKO R2.
  6. Start, JUL 2013, momentum score 85.
  7. Start, AUG 2013, momentum score 78.
  8. Start, DEC 2013, momentum score 88, KO/TKO R1.
  9. Start, APR 2014, momentum score 99, KO/TKO R1.
  10. Start, JUN 2014, momentum score 100, KO/TKO R1.
  11. Start, DEC 2014, momentum score 100, KO/TKO R1.
  12. Start, FEB 2015, momentum score 100, KO/TKO R1.
  13. Start, APR 2015, momentum score 100, SUB R1.
  14. Start, SEP 2015, momentum score 100, KO/TKO R1.
  15. Start, JUN 2016, momentum score 93, SUB R3.
  16. Start, OCT 2016, momentum score 100, DEC R3.
  17. Start, DEC 2016, momentum score 93, DEC R3.
  18. Start, JUN 2017, momentum score 100, KO/TKO R1.
  19. Start, JUL 2018, momentum score 100, KO/TKO R1.
  20. Start, APR 2019, momentum score 93, SUB R2.
  21. Start, SEP 2019, momentum score 100, KO/TKO R1.
  22. Start, FEB 2020, momentum score 90, KO/TKO R1.
  23. Start, OCT 2020, momentum score 80, KO/TKO R1.
  24. Start, MAY 2021, momentum score 80.
  25. Start, SEP 2021, momentum score 87, DEC R3.
  26. Start, MAY 2022, momentum score 80, SUB R1.
  27. Start, SEP 2022, momentum score 73, SUB R1.
  28. Start, NOV 2022, momentum score 66, KO/TKO R2.
  29. Start, APR 2023, momentum score 77, KO/TKO R1.
  30. Start, MAR 2024, momentum score 70, DEC R3.
  31. Start, SEP 2024, momentum score 77, DEC R3.
  32. Start, FEB 2025, momentum score 87, SUB R1.
  33. Start, MAY 2025, momentum score 80, DEC R3.
  34. Start, MAR 2026, momentum score 90, SUB R1.
  35. Start, JUN 2026, momentum score 83, KO/TKO R2.

Peaked at 100 (W vs Stoica), bottomed at 45 (Debut). Current reading: 83.

// KILL_SHOT_MATRIX · 06_

WHEN THE FINISHES COME

Cross-tab of fight outcome by method and round. Reads top-down for method, left-right for round. Cyan intensity scales with frequency.

// METHOD × ROUND_
31/34 fights mapped
METHOD ↓ / ROUND →R1R2R3R4R5FREQ
KO/TKO
14
45%
3
10%
-
-
-
17
total
SUB
6
19%
1
3%
1
3%
-
-
8
total
DEC
-
-
6
19%
-
-
6
total
// PRIMARY KILL ZONE
R1-R2 KO/TKO · 17 of 31 mapped
// LATE-FIGHT GAP
No R5 finishes either way
// DECISION RATE
18%, fights rarely go the distance
GYM & TRAINING PARTNERS_

WHERE THE TRAINING HAPPENS

Camp affiliation matters for stylistic predictions. Who you spend 200 rounds a week with shapes how you fight on Saturday.

// CURRENT_GYM_
CSA Team Moldova
VIEW FIGHTER DIRECTORY →
// STYLE_INFLUENCE_
WRESTLING-HEAVY

Style tags inferred from per-fight rate stats: striking-first, wrestling-heavy, sub grappling, cage defense.

// RESOLVED_TRAINING_PARTNERS

No linked training partners are available for this gym yet.

// FIGHT_HISTORY · 08_

BOUT LOG
34 FIGHTS

Detailed bout records for the indexed tenure. Sorted most recent first.

L
VS Navajo StirlingJun 20, 2026
KO/TKOR2 · 3:23
UFC Fight Night 279 - Kape vs. Horiguchi 2
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
TKO (Punches and Elbows)
W
VS Oumar SyMar 14, 2026
SubmissionR1 · 4:24
UFC Fight Night 269 - Emmett vs. Vallejos
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Submission (Guillotine Choke)
L
VS Modestas BukauskasMay 10, 2025
DecisionR3 · 5:00
UFC 315 - Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Decision (Split)
W
VS Ibo AslanFeb 22, 2025
SubmissionR1 · 2:51
UFC Fight Night 252 - Cejudo vs. Song
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)
W
VS Ivan ErslanSep 28, 2024
DecisionR3 · 5:00
UFC Fight Night 243 - Moicano vs. St. Denis
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Decision (Split)
L
VS Philipe LinsMar 9, 2024
DecisionR3 · 5:00
UFC 299 - O'Malley vs. Vera 2
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Decision (Unanimous)
W
VS Tanner BoserApr 15, 2023
KO/TKOR1 · 2:05
UFC on ESPN 44 - Holloway vs. Allen
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
TKO (Punches)
L
VS Kennedy NzechukwuNov 19, 2022
KO/TKOR2 · 1:02
UFC Fight Night 215 - Nzechukwu vs. Cutelaba
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
TKO (Flying Knee and Punches)
L
VS Johnny WalkerSep 10, 2022
SubmissionR1 · 4:37
UFC 279 - Diaz vs. Ferguson
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
L
VS Ryan SpannMay 14, 2022
SubmissionR1 · 2:22
UFC on ESPN 36 - Blachowicz vs. Rakic
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Submission (Guillotine Choke)
W
VS Devin ClarkSep 18, 2021
DecisionR3 · 5:00
UFC Fight Night 192 - Smith vs. Spann
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Decision (Unanimous)
D
VS Dustin JacobyMay 1, 2021
DrawR3 · 5:00
UFC on ESPN 23 - Reyes vs. Prochazka
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Draw (Split)
// FAQ · 09_

CITATION-READY ANSWERS

Quick answers based on the public fighter profile and fight history shown on this page.

Light Heavyweight. Professional record 20-12-1 (1 NC). Unranked at the time of indexing.

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// LAST INDEX SYNC · 2026-10-28