Virginia Beach, VA — We’re pretty sure he’s joking. Ion Cutelaba (15-4, 1NC) is a lot of things, including deadly inside the UFC octagon. But ahead of UFC Norfolk, asked about what he’d be doing if he wasn’t fighting, Cutelaba put some thought into it.
Then, the dapper light heavyweight decked out in a stunning suit responded with an idea that he clearly has the look for: gangster.
Of course, Cutelaba “knew from the beginning” where he wanted to be, he told reporters including Cageside Press at the UFC Norfolk media day. And he feels really good in the UFC. Initially, he replied that he didn’t have time to think about what ifs, and what he might have been doing were he not fighting. Rather, he “loves his job” and “wants to go all the way up.”
Then, when asked about modelling, given the suit he was rocking, Cutelaba came up with the gangster idea with a laugh. “If maybe [I] didn’t do mixed martial arts, maybe [I’d] be some part of Mafia. Our country has many gangsters,” he said via his translator. So it’s a good thing he’s fighting then. Cutelaba is “happy that he’s in the UFC and knocking out people legally,” he added.
Of course, at UFC Norfolk, the Modolvan known as “The Hulk” will be looking to make it two wins in a row against Magomed Ankalaev. That’s after a TKO win over Khalil Rountree Jr. back in September.
Ankalaev has a lot of hype behind him at the moment. He’s won his last three fights, including a finish via kick in his last outing. It’s a situation that Cutelaba could perhaps capitalize on. A big win in Norfolk might earn him a number next to his name, or at least a ranked opponent.
Cutelaba isn’t worried about Ankalaev’s hype, however. “I don’t care what he has right now. I don’t care if he’s from Russia, from Dagestan. When the cage is closed, he’s there just with me.” Nor does he care about who his opponent has around him, “or what people think. Who’s Magomed?”
Watch the full UFC Norfolk media day press scrum with Ion Cutelaba above! The event takes place Saturday, February 29 at the Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.
