Major Change To UFC On ESPN+ 33 Card

The main card of UFC on ESPN+ 33 has undergone a last-minute change.

UFC on ESPN+ 33 takes place tonight, August 29. It’ll be held inside the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. Taking the headlining spot is a pivotal light heavyweight contest between Anthony Smith and Aleksandar Rakic.

The main card opener was supposed to be a rematch between Magomed Ankalaev and Ion Cutelaba. That plan has been derailed at the eleventh hour. The UFC announced that Cutelaba tested positive for COVID-19 and as a result, his rematch with Ankalaev will not be held tonight.

“Due to a positive COVID-19 test, Ion Cutelaba’s light heavyweight bout against Magomed Ankalaev has been removed from today’s card and will be rescheduled for a later date.”

Cutelaba was hoping to avenge a controversial loss to Ankalaev. Cutelaba was stopped by Ankalaev in 38 seconds via TKO back on February 29, 2020. The general consensus is that the fight was stopped too soon. Cutelaba immediately protested the stoppage.

The loss to Ankalaev dropped Cutelaba’s pro MMA record to 15-5, 1 NC. As for Ankalaev, he improved his record to 14-1. His lone career loss was back on March 17, 2018. He was submitted by Paul Craig.

UFC on ESPN+ 33 will get underway at 6 p.m. ET with the prelims. The main card begins at 9 p.m. ET. The entire card will air live on ESPN+.