Ion Cutelaba: I'm open to Khalil Rountree rematch after submission win at UFC Seattle

SEATTLE – Ion Cutelaba beat Ibo Aslan with a first-round submission Saturday to close out the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 252 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.

Take a look inside the fight with Cutelaba, who said he’s interested in a rematch with a man he knocked out more than five years ago.

Ion Cutelaba def. Ibo Aslan

Result: Ion Cutelaba def. Ibo Aslan via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 1, 2:51
Updated records: Cutelaba (19-10-1 MMA, 8-9-1 UFC), Aslan (14-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Key stats: Cutelaba hadn’t had a submission finish in nearly 10 years before he got Aslan to tap.

Cutelaba on the fight’s key moment

“I knew there was going to be a submission, I just didn’t expect it to be in the first round. We weren’t going to work too hard in the first round. Weren’t going to grapple in the first round. Going to see how it. Maybe let him work a little. Feel him out. But after the brawl that ensued, what I realized is that he was tired. Could see that he was tired, so I went for it.”

Cutelaba on his gym relationships

“I’ve been here for a long time, and what I realized is that this camp has been probably the best camp I’ve ever had. When it came to the weight cut, probably the best weight cut I’ve ever had. I only had to cut 2 kilograms. You have to work with the kind of folks that understand you and help you move forward.”

Cutelaba on what he wants next

“I don’t f*cking care who is next. I need to fight everyone, but I give chance for revenge on me with Khalil Rountree.”

To hear more from Cutelaba, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 252.