Magomed Ankalaev’s technical knockout victory over Ion Cutelaba will stand as it is, the Virginia’s Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation decided. Cutelaba’s manager Tiago Okamura was informed of the official decision on Monday, he confirmed to MMA Fighting following an initial report by ESPN.
Referee Kevin MacDonald stopped the light heavyweight contest just 38 seconds after Ankalaev left Cutelaba wobbled during a frenetic striking battle. Cutelaba protested it, later claiming that he was faking it.
In the decision, DPOR spokesperson Mary Broz-Vaughan informed Cutelaba’s team that the commission found “no evidence to substantiate a claim that Referee MacDonald made his in-the-moment decisions based on any factor other than his best judgment to avoid injury to the participants.