Ion Cutelaba’s 2020 didn’t get off to a good start. In February, the 26-year-old light heavyweight picked up a controversial first-round TKO loss to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Norfolk.
The two men were exchanging blows during their main card fight when Cutelaba seemed wobbled by one of Ankalaev’s punches. Seeing the Moldovan fighter seemingly hurt significantly, referee Kevin MacDonald intervened to put a halt to the fight.
Much to his dismay, Cutelaba protested the call and later claimed he was merely playing possum at the time. “The Hulk” and his team went on to appeal the decision, and on Monday, they got their unfavorable answer from spokesperson Mary Broz-Vaughan of Virginia’s Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (via MMA Fighting).