UFC light heavyweight Ion Cutelaba has once again tested positive for COVID-19 and has been pulled from his main card appearance. ‘The Hulk’ was set to face Magomed Ankalaev in a rematch booked for UFC Fight Night: Smith vs Rakic. The bout is canceled for the third time following a set of unprecedented events.

The elite 205 pounders first met in February 2020, where they squared off in a scrap that ended in controversy. Ion Cutelaba appeared stunned in the fight as Ankalaev continued to pressure forward and landed heavy shots. Chiefly, the referee stepped in and called the fight a TKO stoppage.

Following the contentious conclusion to the first fight, the UFC attempted to re-book the bout at UFC 249. The fight card, however, never came to fruition because of the climate surrounding COVID-19. The next booking on August 15 at UFC 252 saw Ion Cutelaba test positive for COVID-19, leading to another cancelation. Chiefly, it seems like third time’s not the charm as the organization will have to find another opening for the aforementioned bout.

UFC Light Heavyweights – Ion Cutelaba vs Magomed Ankalaev

The 205 lb division is currently open to a new wave of game challengers following Jon Jones’ departure. The consensus GOAT vacated his coveted gold strap and moved up the heavyweight division to test unchartered territory. The move by Jones has been a long time in the making.

Top-ranked contenders Jan Blachowicz and Dominick Reyes will contest for undisputed gold at UFC 253 on September 26. The injection of a new champion will go a long way in rallying new contenders to emerge. Moreover, the aforementioned fight will take place on a card headlined by Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa for 185 lb gold.

Cutelaba and Ankalaev have been on a collision course ever since their heated first battle in February. The promotion has been keen to put on the fight, given the rivalry between the two.

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