Ion Cutelaba tests positive for COVID-19, out of UFC 252 rematch with Ankalaev

12 August 2020

The much-awaited rematch between Ion Cutelaba and Magomed Ankalaev will have to wait as the fight has been called off after Cutelaba tested positive for COVID-19. The fight was scheduled to happen on UFC 252 on Saturday and reports suggest that the current plan is to rebook the fight for August 29.

Cutelaba and Ankalaev first met back at UFC Norfolk and the fight ended in controversy when the referee called for an apparent early stoppage in favour of Ankalaev. Although Cutelaba appealed against the decision, the attempt did not yield anything in his favor. 

UFC then tried to rebook the fight for UFC 249 but the same did not materialize as the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Ankalaev is currently sitting on a four-fight winning streak and has a professional record of 13-1 to his name while Ion Cutelaba is 15-5 in his career with his last fight being the one against Ankalaev.

UFC 252 happens this weekend and will be headlined by the Heavyweight Title fight between Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier. Meanwhile, the August 29 Fight Card from UFC is expected to be headlined by Anthony Smith and Aleksandar Rakic while the showdown between Robbie Lawler and Neil Magny is also expected to be on the card.

Image Courtesy: UFC