Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba – Preview & Matchup Analysis

UFC 254: Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 24, 2020, in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. In one of the matchups on the fight card, Magomed Ankalaev will take on Ion “The Hulk” Cutelaba in the Light Heavyweight Bout. You can view the full UFC 254 card.

In this post, we will break down Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba matchup. Let’s take look at the fighter’s ages, their height, records, reach, fight stats and more below ⤵

The 32-year-old, Magomed Ankalaev is coming in with a 13-1-0 record. Ankalaev will be fighting for the first time since a win via KO/TKO against Ion Cutelaba at UFC Fight Night: Benavidez vs. Figueiredo in February.

Cutelaba, meanwhile, is coming off a KO/TKO loss against Magomed Ankalaev on February 29, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Benavidez vs. Figueiredo and holds a 15-5-0 (1 NC) record.

Magomed Ankalaev has an orthodox fighting stance with a 75″ reach. The 30-year-old, Ion Cutelaba is an southpaw fighter with a 75″ reach. An orthodox fighter stands with their left side forward and jabs with their left hand, the southpaw fighter is the opposite, southpaw stands with their right side forward and jabs with their right hand. In most cases, orthodox fighters are right-handed, if you are left-handed, then you fight southpaw.

Magomed Ankalaev:
→ Ankalaev’s striking accuracy is 56%.
→ Ankalaev lands 3.46 significant strikes per minute.
→ Ankalaev’s takedown accuracy is 33%.
→ Ankalaev’s takedown average is 0.68 per 15 minutes.
→ Ankalaev’s takedown defense is 85%.

Ankalaev comes in with 56% striking accuracy, typically landing about 3.46 significant strikes every minute. On the other side, Cutelaba fires at 39% accuracy, landing about 5.29 significant strikes per minute. Magomed Ankalaev also has a 33% takedown accuracy and on average gets around 0.68 takedowns every 15 minutes, compared to Cutelaba’s 2.59 takedowns and 80% takedown accuracy.

Ion Cutelaba:
→ Cutelaba’s striking accuracy is 39%.
→ Cutelaba lands 5.29 significant strikes per minute.
→ Cutelaba’s takedown accuracy is 71%.
→ Cutelaba’s takedown average is 2.59 per 15 minutes.
→ Cutelaba’s takedown defense is 80%.

Ion spent on average 7:15 minutes in the Octagon and Magomed has an average fight time of 8:51 minutes.

This looks like an interesting matchup, at least on paper. UFC 254 is live in , who do you think will win, Magomed or Ion? Sound off in the comments.

You can view the scheduled UFC 254 fight card, upcoming UFC schedule 2020, and latest MMA news.