Ibo Aslan landed 32 unanswered punches in epic 51-second KO win against undefeated fighter
02/19/2025 08:35 AM
Ibo Aslan hopes to prove he is a legitimate light heavyweight title contender this weekend.
Alex Pereira will defend his 205lb belt against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 on March 8.
Before that, Ibo Aslan will face Ion Cuțelaba in the toughest test of his 14-1 MMA career.
The light heavyweight duo will meet in an eagerly anticipated UFC Seattle scrap on Saturday night.
Ibo Aslan unleashed hell on last UFC opponent
Fans began taking Aslan seriously after his fight against Raffael Cerqueira at UFC 308 in October.
Before Ilia Topuria knocked out Max Holloway in the main event, ‘The Last Ottoman’ put on a ruthless display in Abu Dhabi.
Cerqueira’s perfect 11-0 record was destroyed as he was ‘knocked out four times’ in 51 seconds by Aslan.
The final sequence saw Aslan land 32 unanswered punches as his rival covered up against the fence.
Referee Marc Goddard eventually stepped in to save Cerqueira, who appeared to be out on his feet.
Aslan immediately began wildly celebrating with the UFC 308 crowd he impressed with his knockout.
Now he’s been booked to face ‘The Hulk’, who famously suffered one of the most controversial stoppages in MMA history after pretending to be wobbled during his first fight with Magomed Ankalaev in February 2020.
Ibo Aslan targets Alex Pereira fight
Aslan still has lots of work to do, but he’s already looking ahead to a potential clash with Alex Pereira.
The 28-year-old is excited to see if he hits harder than the reigning king of the 205lb division.
“The UFC knows already I am the future rising star,” Aslan said in the aftermath of UFC 308.
“This is just the beginning. I don't want to rush. Every opponent, everything has its time and step, step, step – then become champion.
“[Alex Pereira] is a great champion. I like him. I wish him all the best. I don't know [if I hit harder than him]. I don't know. We must see this in the cage.
"I am ready. I have no injuries, nothing. I don't feel like I fought tonight. My warmup was longer than my fight. I'll take tomorrow [to] rest, and Monday I start again with training."
