Navajo Stirling feels the time is perfect for a clash against Ion Cutelaba.
Stirling took on Bruno Lopes (14-3) in a light heavyweight tilt at UFC Seattle on Saturday. The Kiwi punished Lopes on the feet and left him a bloodied mess to earn a technical knockout win in the second round. Stirling subsequently called out light heavyweight veteran Cutelaba. Stirling notes that the Moldovan is known for derailing the hype trains of several prospects. With both of them on the cusp of breaking into the rankings, Stirling feels it’s the perfect time to fight Cutelaba.
I feel like [Ion] Cutelaba is a big name,” Stirling said in a post-fight interview with the UFC. “He’s been in the UFC for a long time. He’s been killing all the prospects that are being put forward to him. And I think that’s our meeting point. That’s where he’s at, and that’s where I’m at. He seems like the perfect guy to fight. He’s at the top outside of the top 15, and so am I. So, let’s get it.
Stirling (9-0) had finished all of his fights, including his Dana White’s Contender Series bout, before his UFC debut in 2024. Stirling’s win over Lopes was his first stoppage in four straight UFC wins. The 28-year-old is now riding the third-longest winning streak among active UFC light heavyweights. Meanwhile, Cutelaba (20-11) is coming off an upset submission win over highly-touted prospect Oumar Sy. “The Hulk” has been in the UFC for nearly a decade and has essentially assumed the role of a gatekeeper with a 9-10 record.
