ABU DHABI – Magomed Ankalaev beat Ion Cutelaba with a first-round knockout Saturday to open up the main card at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi.
Take a look inside the fight with Ankalaev, who picked up his fifth straight win in the oft-delayed rematch.
Ankalaev on finally beating Cutelaba in their rematch
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 24: (R-L) Magomed Ankalaev of Russia punches Ion Cutelaba of Moldova in their light heavyweight bout during the UFC 254 event on October 24, 2020 on UFC Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
“I feel great. Now I can finally sleep well. It was a six-month camp, so I did a really, really good job in the six months and today I proved it. I think everybody in my division was watching this fight. I’m going after the top fighters, so I hope they’re waiting for me.”
Ankalaev on what he wants next
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 24: (L-R) Ion Cutelaba of Moldova punches Magomed Ankalaev of Russia in their light heavyweight bout during the UFC 254 event on October 24, 2020 on UFC Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
“I’d love to fight a top-five fighter. It would be interesting, and I would prefer to fight (Mauricio) ‘Shogun’ Rua or Anthony Smith. But other than that, anyone in the top five. I’m just happy that I can sleep well right now. I’m going to probably rest about two, three weeks and hopefully get a top-five opponent.”
To hear more from Ankalaev, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.