Ion Cutelaba vs Navajo Stirling being planned for UFC Vegas 119 on June 21

According to a report from Vestnik MMA, the UFC is planning a light heavyweight matchup between Ion Cutelaba and Navajo Stirling for UFC Vegas 119 on June 21. The bout has not been officially confirmed by the promotion.

Cutelaba, known as "The Hulk," brings a wealth of octagon experience to the matchup. The 32-year-old Moldovan southpaw holds an overall record of 20-12-1 and has gone 9-10-1 inside the UFC. Standing six-foot-one with a 75-inch reach, Cutelaba is an active wrestler who averages over four takedowns per 15 minutes, while also generating 4.13 significant strikes per minute on the feet.

Stirling enters the bout as one of the more compelling unbeaten prospects in the division. The 28-year-old New Zealander out of City Kickboxing is a perfect 10-0-0 overall and has gone 4-0 since joining the UFC. At six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach, he carries a significant size advantage and has been remarkably efficient on the feet, landing 6.24 significant strikes per minute at a 54 percent accuracy rate.

Why it matters

• Stirling's unbeaten record and eye-catching striking output make this a meaningful step-up test for the prospect
• Cutelaba's wrestling volume at over four takedowns per 15 minutes poses a direct challenge to a fighter who has yet to face a grappling specialist of his caliber in the UFC
• A Stirling win would likely push him into ranked territory in a light heavyweight division hungry for new contenders
• Cutelaba, despite his mixed UFC record, remains a dangerous and proven gatekeeper at 205 pounds