Ion Cutelaba's Upset Submission Wins MMA Junkie's March Award

The Moldovan light heavyweight scored a surprise first-round guillotine choke over Oumar Sy at UFC Fight Night 269.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 1:20am

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MMA Junkie has named Ion Cutelaba's first-round submission victory over Oumar Sy as the Submission of the Month for March 2026. As a moderate to heavy underdog, Cutelaba pulled off the upset by snatching a guillotine choke and getting the tap at the 4:24 mark of the opening round at UFC Fight Night 269. The win marked Cutelaba's third victory in his last four fights.

Why it matters

Cutelaba's upset submission win over the favored Sy was a standout performance in a month filled with impressive chokes and armbars across various MMA promotions. The victory showcased Cutelaba's grappling skills and resilience in bouncing back from a previous split decision loss.

The details

In the UFC Fight Night 269 lightweight bout, Cutelaba quickly took control and secured a tight guillotine choke on Sy, forcing the tap just 4:24 into the first round. The win was a surprise, as Cutelaba entered the fight as a moderate to heavy underdog against the more highly touted Sy.

  • The fight took place on March 25, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 269.

The players

Ion Cutelaba

A Moldovan light heavyweight fighter who has competed in the UFC since 2015, compiling a 9-10-1 record in the promotion prior to this win.

Oumar Sy

A rising French light heavyweight prospect who entered the fight against Cutelaba with a 12-2 professional record and a 3-2 mark in the UFC.

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The takeaway

Cutelaba's upset victory over the favored Sy demonstrated his grappling prowess and ability to bounce back from previous setbacks. The win will likely propel him to bigger fights and opportunities in the UFC's light heavyweight division.