The Moldovan pioneer is completely unfazed by the challenge ahead, relying on a career spent facing the pinnacle of the 205-pound division. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

This weekend at UFC Vegas, the light heavyweight division takes center stage as veteran Ion Cutelaba welcomes rising, undefeated prospect Navajo Stirling to the Octagon.

While Stirling comes in with plenty of hype, “The Hulk” is making it clear that his tenured status in the promotion isn’t just a number.

The Moldovan pioneer is completely unfazed by the challenge ahead, relying on a career spent facing the pinnacle of the 205-pound division.

“I’ve said this before; I have a lot of experience, and I’ve fought some of the best in the division,” Cutelaba said ahead of the matchup. “So, with this experience behind me, I think that he has to expect a very hard fight in front of him. I have to win this fight. I don’t take it personally. No big deal. We’ll make sure to get what’s ours.”

For years, Cutelaba was known primarily as a wild, chaotic brawler capable of blinding violence. However, he revealed a massive shift in his approach to professional mixed martial arts.

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“I started working more on technique, and I started to control my own body, see what I do with my own body, and watch over it and my thoughts, my mental health as well,” he said.

“I am Europe’s champion in combat Samba. I am not only a champion in Samba, but I am also a combat Samba champion in Europe. And I am good at stand-up, striking, and grappling now. I’m a very well-rounded fighter. I want people to see that I can show competitive, exciting fights and what skill level I have,” he added

This bout also carries immense emotional weight for Cutelaba. Reflecting on his journey, he looks back at the massive growth of MMA in his home country.

“When I started back in the day in Moldova, there were only about two gyms,” Cutelaba recalled. “And they weren’t even MMA gyms. It was more like... combat samba gyms. Now there are tons of gyms, lots of guys are training, there are lots of good fights, and a lot of good fighters are training MMA now in Moldova. And I was always proud to be the first Moldovan to get in the UFC.”

With a monumental career milestone arriving at the same time he steps into the cage, Cutelaba remains fixed on the future. “The fight on Saturday… It’s my 10th-year anniversary in the UFC. And you know what, 10 years behind us, why not 10 more years?”

Streaming information:

Watch UFC Fight Night - Kape vs. Horiguchi on 21st June, 2026 from 5:30 AM IST live on Sony Sports Ten 2 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), Sony Sports Ten 4 (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada) and Sony LIV.

Published on Jun 20, 2026