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.
“My hard work paid off.”
Navajo
Stirling keeps his undefeated record intact with a second round
TKO of Bruno Lopes
at
#UFCSeattle.Results, highlights & interviews ➡️ pic.twitter.com/KiRzMZbeWb
— UFC News (@UFCNews)
March 28, 2026