Undefeated rising prospect Navajo Stirling looks to run his professional record to a perfect 10-0 tonight in Las Vegas when he throws down with proven veteran Ion Cutelaba in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night.
Sterling has been flawless so far in four UFC appearances, capping off his most recent win in March with a decisive second-round TKO stoppage over Bruno Lopes. Cutelaba, meanwhile, sports just a 9-10-1 record in 20 fights with the promotion, but has looked in good form as of late and figures to be the New Zealander's toughest career test.
Current UFC odds have Stirling marked as a -340 moneyline favorite, and my Ion Cutelaba vs. Navajo Stirling predictions and free betting picks are siding with the talented striker to cash in a long bout on Saturday, June 20.
Ion Cutelaba vs Navajo Stirling fight prediction: Stirling moneyline (-340)
Stirling transitioned to MMA less than four years ago following a successful kickboxing and Muay Thai career, where he held a 15-2 record overall. Still only 28 years old, the City Kickboxing representative continues to round out his game and will enjoy a three-inch height and four-inch reach advantage in this particular matchup.
Cutelaba is considered a gatekeeper at this stage in his career. His best path to victory will be to try to exploit his opponent’s questionable ground game, but given his historical cardio issues, a wrestling-heavy approach is gonna leave him exhausted by the midway point.
I expect this to be a competitive first round, before Cutelaba starts to wear out by the midway point. Stirling will then fully take over, comfortably out-pointing him from the outside.
With the moneyline already being pretty steep at -340, I wouldn’t recommend hitting that number if it continues to grow. I’m tempted to take Stirling by decision at +255 as well, but understand that it’s a much riskier proposition.
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Ion Cutelaba vs Navajo Stirling best bet: Over 1.5 rounds (-180)
Stirling has all the physical tools to develop into a potent finisher, but as of right now, he’s still a work in progress.
Although his latest win was a stoppage, his prior three appearances all resulted in decisions. This matchup versus Cutelaba represents a step up in competition, and I have no reason to believe it won’t make it into the later stages of the fight.
Cutelaba has not been finished in a fight in nearly four years, so as long as that durability is still intact, he should be able to survive long enough to cash this Over.
I would play this bet all the way to -225.
COVERS INTEL: All four of Navajo Stirling’s UFC fights have gone Over 1.5 total rounds.Ion Cutelaba vs Navajo Stirling odds
 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Method of Victory | Ion Cutelaba | Navajo Stirling |
| To win outright | +240 | -325 |
| To win by KO/TKO | +675 | +105 |
| To win by decision | +790 | +255 |
| To win by submission | +1100 | +900 |
| Total rounds | Over 1.5 -180 |
Under 1.5 +140 |
Odds as of 6-20.
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Ion Cutelaba vs Navajo Stirling tale of the tape
| Ion Cutelaba | Navajo Stirling | |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | Age | 28 |
| 6-foot-1 | Height | 6-foot-4 |
| Light Heavyweight | Weight Class | Light Heavyweight |
| 75 inches | Reach | 79 inches |
| 20-11 | Record | 9-0 |
| 13 | Wins by KO | 5 |
| 4 | Wins by submission | 0 |
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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