Fight fans were not happy after the bout between Philipe Lins and Ion Cutelaba was removed from the fight schedule on the day of UFC Fight Night 229. Lins and Cutelaba were slated to square off in a light heavyweight bout at the UFC Apex Facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 7. However, the fight got pulled at the last minute after Philip Lins withdrew, citing medical reasons.
The UFC officials said they waited until the very last second to share the information during the UFC Vegas 80 broadcast, as they hoped the fight could take place. John Morgan of The Underground was the first to report on the modification.
Dana White says Cutelaba was paid.#UFC pic.twitter.com/flw8pvlHKi
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) October 8, 2023
However, Ion Cutelaba must be relieved after UFC boss Dana White announced that he has been paid for the fight that was cancelled. White also talked about Philipe Lins’s situation, as he mentioned that the UFC had arranged for doctors for the light-heavyweight fighter, and they went ahead with some treatment as well. But Lins still did not feel good enough to enter the octagon. So, the fight got scrapped at the last minute at UFC Vegas 80.
Philipe Lins vs. Ion Cutelaba delayed the start of UFC Vegas 80
The cancellation of the light-heavyweight bout between Philipe Lins and Ion Cutelaba also caused a 30-minute delay in the start of the UFC Vegas 80. This also angered the audience present at the UFC Apex Facility and the fight fans watching the event online.
This is Lins’ third time taking part in a fight that had to be called off at the last minute. The same scenario occurred in a heavyweight contest back in 2021 when Lins, who was set to fight Ben Rothwell, dropped off the event moments before the weigh-ins. UFC legend Daniel Cormier, who was also calling the fight, opined that the issue might be more mental than physical.
Waiting for an official announcement, but hearing we’ve lost Philipe Lins vs. Ion Cutelaba today. Imagine that’s the reason for the delay to start #UFCVegas80.
— John Morgan (@JohnMorgan_MMA) October 7, 2023
Well, whatever the reason might be, UFC President Dana White would not be happy with what happened at the event this weekend. One more person who would not be too impressed would probably be Ion Cutelaba, who was coming off a first-round victory against Tanner Boser and was riding high on confidence.
The 29-year-old Cutelaba suffered three consecutive losses before the fight against Boser and was looking to better his MMA record, which currently stands at 17-9-1.
Apart from this particular match-up, UFC Vegas 80 was a success as it hosted some brilliant fights. The main event, however, stole the show as lightweight veteran Bobby Green secured a victory against Grant Dawson in just 33 seconds.
