RAFAEL DOS ANJOS is still the UFC lightweight champion after he took just over a minute to dispose of Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone tonight in Orlando.
In what was a rematch of their 2013 bout, which dos Anjos won via decision, the Brazilian didn’t need the help of the judges on this occasion.
Advertisement
Dos Anjos, who was defending the belt for the first time since dethroning Anthony Pettis back in March, hurt Cerrone with a kick to the body before unloading a flurry of punches.
Cerrone managed to survive the onslaught before lazily shooting for a takedown. But that was easily scuffed by dos Anjos, who took his opponent’s back and landed strikes until referee Herb Dean stepped in to bring Cerrone’s eight-fight win streak to an end.
The result could set up a title defence for dos Anjos against newly-crowned featherweight champion Conor McGregor, with McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh writing on Friday in his column here on The42 that the Irish star is set to fight for the lightweight belt in April.
Dos Anjos’ win over Cerrone was the fastest lightweight title fight in UFC history, and the champion had a message for Conor McGregor when he spoke to Joe Rogan for his post-fight interview:
“Hey, Mr McGregor! If you want to come to the lightweight division, this is my division. You better stay in the featherweight division. I’ll fight you in Brazil, I’ll go to Ireland and face you there, wherever you want. I’m here to say.”
In the co-main event, Alistair Overeem strengthened his claims for a heavyweight title shot by picking up his third consecutive win courtesy of a second-round TKO of former champion Junior dos Santos, who protested to referee Dan Miragliotta over what he felt was an early stoppage.
Elsewhere on the main card, Nate Diaz returned after a year-long lay-off to defeat Michael Johnson, and Polish strawweight Karolina Kowalkiewicz looked impressive in her UFC debut as she overcame Randa Markos.
UFC Orlando results
Rafael dos Anjos def. Donald Cerrone via TKO (punches) after 1:06 of round one
Alistair Overeem def. Junior dos Santos via TKO (punches) after 4:43 of round two
Nate Diaz def. Michael Johnson via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Dos Anjos sends message to McGregor after record-breaking lightweight title defence
RAFAEL DOS ANJOS is still the UFC lightweight champion after he took just over a minute to dispose of Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone tonight in Orlando.
In what was a rematch of their 2013 bout, which dos Anjos won via decision, the Brazilian didn’t need the help of the judges on this occasion.
Dos Anjos, who was defending the belt for the first time since dethroning Anthony Pettis back in March, hurt Cerrone with a kick to the body before unloading a flurry of punches.
Cerrone managed to survive the onslaught before lazily shooting for a takedown. But that was easily scuffed by dos Anjos, who took his opponent’s back and landed strikes until referee Herb Dean stepped in to bring Cerrone’s eight-fight win streak to an end.
The result could set up a title defence for dos Anjos against newly-crowned featherweight champion Conor McGregor, with McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh writing on Friday in his column here on The42 that the Irish star is set to fight for the lightweight belt in April.
Dos Anjos’ win over Cerrone was the fastest lightweight title fight in UFC history, and the champion had a message for Conor McGregor when he spoke to Joe Rogan for his post-fight interview:
“Hey, Mr McGregor! If you want to come to the lightweight division, this is my division. You better stay in the featherweight division. I’ll fight you in Brazil, I’ll go to Ireland and face you there, wherever you want. I’m here to say.”
In the co-main event, Alistair Overeem strengthened his claims for a heavyweight title shot by picking up his third consecutive win courtesy of a second-round TKO of former champion Junior dos Santos, who protested to referee Dan Miragliotta over what he felt was an early stoppage.
Elsewhere on the main card, Nate Diaz returned after a year-long lay-off to defeat Michael Johnson, and Polish strawweight Karolina Kowalkiewicz looked impressive in her UFC debut as she overcame Randa Markos.
UFC Orlando results
John Kavanagh: ‘Forget the cut to 145lbs for now… an April lightweight title fight is next’
Aldo reiterates rematch hopes after returning home following McGregor KO
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Donald Cerrone mixed martial arts MMA Rafael Dos Anjos UFC UFC Orlando Ultimate Fighting Championship