IBO Aslan was beaten for the first time under the UFC banner with a rare entry into the Climate Pledge Arena.
The rising Turkish star has become one of the most exciting light heavy weights in the world and has a knockout filled Prelim card in UFC Seattle. And he took a big step against Octagon Veteran Ion Cutelaba for a fight that promised fireworks.
In their 32 combined victories, only five had gone to the jury's score cards, all in the field of Cutelaba. And after all the stopping on the previous provisional card there was really excitement for the couple to throw hands.
Ibo Aslan vs Ion Cutelaba UFC Seattle result
From the opening bell Ibo Aslan and Ion Cutelaba threw large shots in an attempt to land the knockout. It seemed that the veteran was startled early, but he managed to get a large Takedown halfway through the round that changed the complexion of the fight.
Cutelaba had never submitted anyone in his UFC career, in fact four lost because of that method in his nine promotional defeats. But he locked a head-and-arm choke on the floor and explained 'I am power' in an explosive victory.
'Turkish power' Aslan had been one of the fastest rising stars in the promotion and tried to give a thumbs to the referee while defending against the choke. But he tapped when he suffered his first defeat in the Octagon.
UFC Seattle Prelim card was full of finishes
The only undercard fight in UFC Seattle that did not end in Knock -out saw Melquizel Costa Andre Fili beat. It ended in submission within one round.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
It shows the exciting nature of the prelims, which were generally thrown together hastily, for the map in the Climate Plede Arena. In fact, no fight went past round two prior to the Prelim -headliner, because all the knockouts had landed across the board.
Modestas Bukauskas started the action with a stunning combination to let Raffael Cerqueira sleep in the first round of their collision. Immediately afterwards, Nursulton Ruziboev shot promotional newcomer Eric Mcconico before Austin Vanderford marked his debut with a TKO.
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