Swedish-Georgian lightweight Guram Kutateladze is set for his third octagon appearance. The 30-year-old “Georgian Viking” will take on Brazil’s Thiago Moises at UFC 283 on January 21 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, sources with knowledge just confirmed to Frontkick.online following an initial report by Brazilian journalist Carlos Antunes.
This is quite a big one at lightweight as we’ll see two fighters who are currently sitting just outside of the rankings square off. The winner will likely secure a spot in the division’s top 15.
Guram Kutateladze has only fought opponents currently in top 15
At this time, Guram Kutateladze has a record of 1-1 in the UFC and a total MMA record of 12-3. In his octagon debut, the Allstars fighter gave former KSW double champ and current No. 8 ranked UFC lightweight contender Mateusz Gamrot his very first professional loss as Kutateladze secured a split decision victory back in 2020. That fight was a tough back-and-forth battle and the decision was somewhat controversial, with Kutateladze himself even admitting that he didn’t think he deserved the win in his post-fight interview. However, most (besides angry Polish fans) seemed to think he did just enough to get the nod, and Kutateladze later changed his tune upon watching the replay as his comment was made in the heat of the moment.
Following the Gamrot win, Kutateladze’s momentum was halted due to multiple injuries causing him to be out from competition for over a year and a half before returning in June earlier this year. That time, it was Kutateladze who found himself at the wrong side of a controversial call by the judges as he lost a razor-thin split decision to Damir Ismagulov – a fighter who’s currently sitting at No. 11 in the UFC’s lightweight rankings.
Thiago Moises fought current champ Islam Makhachev
As for Thiago Moises, the Brazilian was previously ranked in the top 15 and is now trying to work his way back into the rankings. The 27-year-old secured a UFC contract through the Brazilian edition of Dana White’s Contender Series back in 2018 and currently holds five wins inside the octagon and four losses, with a total pro record of 16-6.
Moises has previously fought the newly-crowned lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, a bout that he lost via fourth-round submission. Most recently, the Sao Paulo native is coming off a submission win of his own against Christos Giagos.
Flyweight title on the line with rare quadrilogy at UFC 283
With the addition of Guram Kutateladze vs. Thiago Moises, UFC 283 is shaping up to be an interesting card.
We’re still waiting on a bunch of more fights to be announced, but we already know that we’ll see a highly-anticipated flyweight title bout as the reigning champion Deiveson Figueiredo will settle the score in a rare quadrilogy fight against interim champ Brandon Moreno.
Furthermore, Pride legend and former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua is scheduled to compete against Ihor Potieria.
Read more: Guram Kutateladze talks future plans and controversial loss
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