CALGARY – Ion Cutelaba is happy to put a controversial period in his career in the rearview mirror with a victory at UFC on FOX 30.

Cutelaba (14-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC) returned form a 13-month layoff on Saturday to score a first-round TKO finish of Gadzhimurad Antigulov (20-5 MMA, 2-1 UFC). The bout marked his return to the octagon following an issue with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) that kept him on the sidelines for the longest break of his career.

The 24-year-old fighter was handed a six-month suspension for using ozone therapy administration. He had claimed to be an “honest athlete” who never intentionally tried to cheat and instead made an error due to a lack of knowledge.

It was a trying period in Cutelaba’s life, but he said he’s pleased to officially move past it with a win.

“I’m satisfied, everybody knows now,” Cutelaba said through a translator post-fight at UFC on FOX 30. “I told them from the beginning, ‘I’m not a fighter that uses doping. It’s not something that I do. I’m an honest fighter and I do I put everything in it and I don’t need any help.’ I’m 24 years old, I don’t need to take anything. I just need time to work and I have the time to work.”

Cutelaba knew he had to come back to the UFC and make a statement, and he feels he did just that with the first-round finish of Antigulov, who came into the event riding a 14-fight winning streak.

“The Hulk” said he thought he would get a stoppage in the opening round, and that’s exactly what happened. He called Antigulov a “very good fighter,” but added: “He’s no match for me.”

Cutelaba also had the crowd on his side at UFC on FOX 30. He walked in to the entrance music and wearing the trademark sunglasses of professional wrestling legend Bret Hart, who is from Calgary and famous in the area.

“I am a big fan,” Cutelaba said of Hart. “Especially because I am in Canada, I knew Canadians would like that so much. I wanted to inspire everybody and show that I’m probably better than him.”

With three victories in his past four fights, Cutelaba said he’s ready to continue to climb the ladder at 205 pounds. He’s one of the youngest athletes in the weight class, and said he simply wants to continue to build his resume until he’s wearing UFC gold.

“Obviously I want the belt like everybody else,” Cutelaba said. “Now because I am in top 15, I’m probably going to fight the best. I don’t want to fight someone specifically right now.”

For complete coverage of UFC on FOX 30, check out the UFC Events section of the site.