Less than 30 seconds after the bout started, Magomed Ankalaev looked to have Ion Cutelaba rocked, a left high kick setting off a frantic sequence where the streaking light heavyweight from Dagestan connected with a series of blows that appeared to have “The Hulk” on shaky legs, struggling to find his equilibrium.
With each blow that crashed home, veteran referee Kevin MacDonald crept forward for a closer look, anticipating a finishing blow and eager to ensure that the staggering Cutelaba didn’t take any unnecessary punishment.
When Ankalaev connected with a left hook that caused Cutelaba to stagger backwards, then fire off a wild right hand that was nowhere near the target, MacDonald jumped in, waving off the contest and kicking off a strange odyssey that will end this weekend on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.