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The last fight on the preliminary card is one of the most even on paper at UFC Fight Night 243 as Ion Cutelaba meets Ivan Erslan in the light heavyweight division
ION CUTELABA VS IVAN ERSLAN FACTS
When is UFC FIGHT NIGHT 243? UK – the preliminary card starts at 5:00pm on Saturday 28th September 2024, followed by the main card at 8:00pm / USA – 12:00pm/3:00pm ET and 9:00am/12:00pm PT
Where is UFC FIGHT NIGHT 243? Accor Arena | Paris, France
Where can I get tickets for UFC FIGHT NIGHT 243? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC FIGHT NIGHT 243
What TV channel is UFC FIGHT NIGHT 243 on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC FIGHT NIGHT 243? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
For viewers in the United States, UFC Fight Night 243 will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
UFC FIGHT NIGHT 243 MAIN CARD EVENT
Renato Moicano vs Benoit Saint Denis (Lightweight)
Nassourdine Imavov vs Brendan Allen (Middleweight)
William Gomis vs Joanderson Brito (Featherweight)
Kevin Jousset vs Bryan Battle (Welterweight)
Morgan Charriere vs Gabriel Miranda (Featherweight)
Fares Ziam vs Matt Frevola (Lightweight)
UFC FIGHT NIGHT 243 Prelims
Ion Cutelaba vs Ivan Erslan (Light Heavyweight)
Oumar Sy vs Jung Da-woon (Light Heavyweight)
Ľudovít Klein vs Roosevelt Roberts (Lightweight)
Daria Zheleznyakova vs Ailin Perez (Women’s Bantamweight)
Taylor Lapilus vs Vince Morales (Bantamweight)
Daniel Barez vs Victor Altamirano (Flyweight)
Jacqueline Cavalcanti vs Nora Cornolle (Women’s Bantamweight)
Bolaji Oki vs Chris Duncan (Lightweight)
ION CUTELABA: MOLDOVAN STAR NEEDS A WIN AT UFC PARIS
Ion Cutelaba may be running out of time in the UFC having lost four of his last five fights and the Moldovan desperately needs to get a win under his belt. He lost via unanimous decision to Philipe Lins at UFC 299 but The Hulk will be keen to get back to winning ways. He brings a 17-10-1 (with one no contest) into this bout and he will be looking for the knockout as he always.
IVAN ERSLAN: CROATIAN POWERHOUSE MAKING UFC DEBUT
Ivan Erslan gets his shot in the UFC after compiling a 14-3 (with one no contest) record largely on the European circuit. The 32-year-old is a powerful striker and 10 of his 14 wins have come via knockout. There will be no masking of what he plans to do as he will look to keep this feet standing, much like his opponent.
ION CUTELABA VS IVAN ERSLAN PREDICTION
This match surely cannot go the distance with both fighters possessing excellent knockout power. Cutelaba has 13 knockouts in his 17 wins while Erslan has 10 in his 14 and both fighters will look to strike. It is hard to see either fighter trying to take this to the ground unless they find themselves in some trouble.
Cutelaba has been fighting at the higher level for most of his career having been in the UFC for over eight years. However, his performances are on the decline and this is a tough test against a fighter making his debut in the UFC.
Both fighters only know one way to fight and that is to stand and strike. This has first round knockout written all over it and whoever lands the first flush punch likely wins.
PREDICTION: FIGHT TO END IN ROUND ONE