The UFC 254 main card opened with a highly anticipated rematch between Magomed Ankalaev and Ion Cutelaba. If you remember, the two previously met in February but the match ended with a controversial stoppage when referee Kevin MacDonald waved off the fight after Cutelaba appeared dazed (it was unclear if Cutelaba was simply faking it to catch Ankalaev).
In any case, the two ran it back at UFC 254 on Saturday night and this time, there was no controversy to the end of this light heavyweight rivalry. The fight started off at a much slower pace than their previous bout with Cutelaba stalking Ankalev for much of the first.
With about a minute left in the round, Ankalaev scored a flash takedown which set him up for a right-left combination that dropped Cutelaba to the canvas. Ankalaev quickly unleashed a barrage of ground strikes that Cutelaba was unable to recover from and referee Anders Ohlsson stepped in at 4:19 of the first round.
Despite the bad blood between the two fighters leading up to the rematch, Cutelaba and Ankalaev appeared finally make amends. And with Ankalaev 2-0 against Cutelaba, there are now no more questions to be had in this rivalry.
With the win, the No. 11-ranked Ankalaev is now 15-1 and a winner of five-straight fights. He's now seeking a top-five opponent next. Cutelaba falls to 15-6.