Jonathan Wilson vs. Ion Cutelaba

Round 1
Cutelaba backs up Wilson to the fence and then tries to take off the American’s head with big overhand rights. A few of the punches clip Wilson, but “Johnny Bravo” survives the attack and circles away to reset. Once Cutelaba gets close enough, Wilson grabs hold and spins him against the fence, though only for a few seconds. The light heavyweights come back to the middle, now 90 seconds into the opening round. Cutelaba pushes Wilson to the outside again, lands a couple body punches and then backs off. Wilson waits for Cutelaba to step forward and rocks his head with a straight left. Cutelaba punches his way into the pocket, looks to tie up but can’t keep hold. An uppercut lands for Cutelaba, then another, but Wilson seems unfazed by the punches. Cutelaba lands a knee to the body during a brief clinch, but now the 205ers are back to swinging punches with one minute left. The pace slows in the final 60 seconds of the round, though Wilson comes through with a hard low kick and a body punch. Cutelaba rushes his opponent against the wall once more and lands another right hand as time expires.

Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Cutelaba
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Cutelaba
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cutelaba

Round 2
Cutelaba throws an inside leg kick from an awkward angle and connects square on Wilson’s cup. Referee Herb Dean pauses the action as Wilson drops to his knees in pain. The fight resumes after an extended break for Wilson to recover from the foul. Cutelaba is back on the offensive, walking Wilson around the cage, but the southpaw catches Cutelaba with a nice counter kick to the body. Cutelaba is throwing hard punches, but many of them seem to be bouncing off the high guard of Wilson, who is constantly backing up against the fence. Cutelaba closes the distance, waits for Wilson to angle off and cracks him with a lovely right straight. With two minutes left in the round, Cutelaba is starting to take over, cornering Wilson again to land an uppercut. Cutelaba begins swinging a bit more wildly as they move back to the center, but he still managers to slug Wilson with another hard right. Wilson easily snuffs out a poor takedown attempt and then blasts Cutelaba with a left hand over the top, Wilson’s best punch of the round.

Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Cutelaba
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Cutelaba
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cutelaba

Round 3
Cutelaba is still swinging for the fences early in round three, but it’s Wilson coming forward now, presumably knowing he’s down on the scorecards. Wilson remains measured, not expending energy with too many punches, and instead picking at Cutelaba with low kicks and single strikes. Cutelaba waits for a lull and then bursts forward with a right straight that backs up Wilson to the wall. The offense from both men has dried up here late in the fight, though Cutelaba continues to press forward. Wilson has stopped engaging in exchanges; he is now turning his back and dashing away when Cutelaba attacks with punches. The remainder of the round ticks away without incident.

Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Cutelaba (30-27 Cutelaba)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Cutelaba (30-27 Cutelaba)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cutelaba (30-27 Cutelaba)

The Official Result
Ion Cutelaba def. Jonathan Wilson via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00