In what turned out to be a controversial decision, Magomed Ankalaev defeated Ion Cutelaba at UFC Fight Night 169 on Saturday.
Referee Kevin McDonald overseeing the light heavyweight bout in Virginia.
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A headkick from Ankalaev seemed to have significantly damaged Cutelaba but he continued to fight. Cutelaba took a few more hits but managed to stay in the fight. Referee eventually stopped the fight after a left hand from Ankalaev.
Ankalaev won the fight via TKO in the first round. However, Cutelaba did not believe he was knocked out. He continued to argue with the referee after his decision.
Fans and fighters react to Magomed Ankalaev’s Controversial Win Over Ion Cutelaba
Many pro fighters took to Twitter following the bouts conclusion to dub Kevin McDonald’s stoppage as one of the “worst” in promotional history.
The referee called this one wrong!#ThisIsSucks
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) March 1, 2020
Watching the replay I believe he WAS playing possum. Every time he got touched he looked away and went extreme wobbly legs to draw his opponent in and then quickly snapped out of it firing a bomb! #UFCNorfolk
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) March 1, 2020
I disagree with that stoppage Cutelaba looked fine immediately after the stoppage, he immediately got his legs legs back after the ref stopped it, Bisping might be right he might’ve been baiting Ankalaev to rush him. At the very least it was too early. #UFCNorfolk
— Louis Smolka (@LASTSAMURAIUFC) March 1, 2020
That was straight up stupid!! Knockout??? Are you fucking kidding me?!?! #UFCNorfolk OVERTURN!
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) March 1, 2020
Agree https://t.co/XyNmu95dD1
— Niko Price (@Nikohybridprice) March 1, 2020
The rope-a-dope backfired there… weird. #UFCNorfolk
— Joe Ellenberger (@JoeEllenberger) March 1, 2020
Fans Express their disappointment on the early stoppage
Terrible stoppage in cutelaba vs Ankalev match 🗣 #UFCNorfolk
— Blakscorpion (@Blakscorpion3) March 1, 2020
I haven’t spoke all night , I have been waiting for this fight .
Only for the ref to stop the fight while Cutelaba is completely conscious and standing .Shocking error for the referee
( Cutelaba vs Ankalev ) #Firefight #Shockingresult
— Rawmmanews (@rawmmanews) March 1, 2020
WTF REF ANKALEV DID NOT WIN! @danawhite Lets do the new rule : ” Not to act in octagon!”
— Lanetti (@LanettiCan) March 1, 2020
Ankalev was smacking the shit of Cutelaba’s but that stoppage ITS SO LAME DUDE #UFCNorfolk
— 1Wz (@1WzWz1) March 1, 2020
Y’all got to do something about these referees… that was a TERRIBLE stoppage… Ion Cutelaba was still fighting and still on his feet… Magomed Ankalev has to run it back with Cutelaba!! @ufc @danawhite
— Shahin D. O’Neal (@shahindart) March 1, 2020