Ion Cutelaba turned in an incredible effort earlier tonight (Sat., Feb. 22, 2025) at UFC Seattle LIVE on ESPN+ from inside Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Wash., stopping surging light heavyweight prospect Ibo Aslan with a wild first-round submission (arm-triangle choke).
This was a fun one while it lasted. Both Cutelaba and Aslan came out firing with everything they had. Aslan seemed to have a slight power advantage, but “Hulk” was swinging heavy leather with ill intentions. It was a crazy exchange of 205-pound brawlers who were looking for an early finish.
Luckily for Cutelaba, he had more up his sleeve outside of just winging punches. “Hulk” eventually changed up levels and utilized his wrestling and grappling. Aslan started to gas, which allowed Cutelaba to turn up his efforts. The light heavyweight veteran worked his way towards the arm-triangle choke, squeezed with all he had, and forced Aslan to tap.
Check out the submission finish in the above player.
Cutelaba, 31, is hands down one the most entertaining fighters in the UFC’s light heavyweight division, but he’s far from the most consistent. In fact, this was his first submission finish since 2015 and his first under the UFC banner. If “Hulk” can fight with a little more patience and continue to find a home for his wrestling he could make a fun run at the division’s top 10 in 2025.
For complete UFC Seattle results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.