Donald Cerrone Moves Up to Welterweight for UFN 82

Recent UFC Lightweight challenger and perennial contender, Donald Cerrone, will be making his UFC Welterweight debut against tough Welterweight stand-out, Tim Means, in Pittsburgh in the main event of UFC Fight Night 82. Donald Cerrone has had great success in the lightweight division, both in the UFC and the WEC. It is unsure as to whether this is a permanent move or a temporary move to get back in the cage sooner.

Benson Henderson debuted in the 170 lb weight class last year and was able to get a win. I believe that Donald Cerrone posses to defeat "larger" opponents with his tremendous Muay Thai and submission talents. I don't think it would benefit him to permanently move to welterweight, but one fight won't hurt.  I still believe that Cerrone has the tools to be a UFC champion at some point before his career is over.  He gets so close to the title then has some setback. Recently he finally got his title shot, but suffered a TKO loss to the champion, dos Anjos. This should be an interesting match to see what Cerrone is capable of.

UFC in Fox 11: Event Results

Main Card:

Fabricio Werdum def. Travis Browne via unanimous decision
Miesha Tate def. Liz Carmouche via unanimous decision
Donald Cerrone def. Edson Barboza via submission (rear-naked choke)
Yoel Romero def. Brad Tavares via unanimous decision

Preliminary Card:

Khabib Nurmagomedov def. Rafael dos Anjos via unanimous decision
Thiago Alves def. Seth Baczynski via unanimous decision
Jorge Masvidal def. Pat Healy via unanimous decision
Alex White def. Estevan Payan via first-round TKO
Caio Magalhaes def. Luke Zachrich via first-round TKO
Jordan Mein def. Hernani Perpetuo via split decision
Dustin Ortiz def. Ray Borg via split decision
Mirsad Bektic def. Chas Skelly via majority decision
Derrick Lewis def. Jack May via first-round TKO

UFC on Fox 11: Weigh-in Results

Main Card:

Fabricio Werdum (232.5) vs. Travis Browne (245.5)
Liz Carmouche (135) vs. Miesha Tate (135.5)
Edson Barboza (156) vs. Donald Cerrone (155.5)
Yoel Romero (185.5) vs. Brad Tavares (185)

Preliminary Card:

Khabib Nurmagomedov (155.5) vs. Rafael dos Anjos (155.5)
Seth Baczynski (170.5) vs. Thiago Alves (170.5)
Pat Healy (156) vs. Jorge Masvidal (155.5)
Alex White (146) vs. Estevan Payan (146)
Luke Zachrich (185.5) vs. Caio Magalhaes (185.5)
Hernani Perpetuo (170.5) vs. Jordan Mein (170.5)
Ray Borg (125.5) vs. Dustin Ortiz (125.5)
Chas Skelly (145) vs. Mirsad Bektic (146)
Jack May (252.5) vs. Derrick Lewis (256)

Cerrone and Barboza Set for Battle

Two of the UFC's best finishers in the Lightweight division have agreed to go to war at UFC on Fox 11.  Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone and Edson Barboza will be having what will likely be a stand-up war.

Cerrone Wants Six Fights in 2014

Donald Cerrone looked impressive as he landed a head kick to Adriano Martins at UFC on Fox 10 this weekend and earned the Knockout of the Night.  Cerrone is now looking to set a UFC record by fighting five more times this year.  Cerrone has stated that he wants to break this record and stay very busy this year.

If Cerrone is able to be as sharp as he has been since November, I think that this might benefit his career.  He could potentially work his way back to the spot he was in January 2013 when he and Pettis were fighting to see who was next in line for the title.  If he can get wins over some top ten guys such as Khabib Nurmagomedov or Gilbert Melendez, he might be able to get another shot in late 2014 or early 2015.  Cerrone has it in him to be the future UFC Lightweight Champion, but he needs to tweek his style a little and be a shoot-first fighter instead of getting off to a slow start as he has a habit of doing.  We predict big things for Cerrone who has competed for the WEC on three occasions and has impressive wins over big name competition.

UFC on Fox 10 Results

Main Card:

Benson Henderson def. Josh Thomson via split decision
Stipe Miocic def. Gabriel Gonzaga via unanimous decision
Donald Cerrone def. Adriano Martins via first-round KO
Jeremy Stephens def. Darren Elkins via unanimous decision

Preliminary Card:

Alex Caceres def. Sergio Pettis via submission (rear-naked choke)
Eddie Wineland def. Yves Jabouin via second-round TKO
Chico Camus def. Yaotzin Meza via unanimous decision
Hugo Viana def. Junior Hernandez via unanimous decision
Daron Cruickshank def. Mike Rio via second-round TKO
George Sullivan def. Mike Rhodes via unanimous decision
Nikita Kyrlov def. Walt Harris via first-round TKO

UFC on Fox 10 Weigh-in Results

Main Card:

Josh Thomson (155) VS Benson Henderson (156)
Gabriel Gonzaga (258) VS Stipe Miocic (245)
Adriano Martins (155) VS Donald Cerrone (155)
Jeremy Stephens (146) VS Darren Elkins (145)

Preliminary Card:

Sergio Pettis (135) VS Alex Caceres (135)
Yves Jabouin (135) VS Eddie Wineland (135)
Yaotzin Meza (135) VS Chico Camus (135)
Hugo Viana (136) VS Junior Hernandez (136)
Mike Rio (155) VS Daron Cruickshank (155)
Mike Rhodes (171) VS George Sullivan (170)
Nikita Krylov (218) VS Walt Harris (241)

Cerrone Interested in Drop to Featherweight

Zuffa veteran Donald Cerrone currently has a fight against Evan Dunham at UFC 167 in the UFC's Lightweight Division, but he already knows what he wants after that bout.  Cerrone has announced that he wants to drop to Featherweight and try a run for the title in that division.  One of the first men that Cerrone would like to face if he were to go down to 145 lbs would be against former UFC Welterweight and UFC Lightweight Champion BJ Penn.

Cerrone-Duhnam at UFC167

Donald Cerrone has been scheduled to fight Evan Dunham at UFC 167 in Vegas. Both men share a common decision loss to Rafael dos Anjos.

What Should Happen Next For Henderson

After Ben Henderson's title loss to new UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis we are left with the question of who Benson Henderson should fight next.  I think that there a few fights that make sense for the UFC to put together.

I think that a fight with current #4 ranked UFC Lightweight Josh Thomson would be the fight that I want to see the most.  Josh Thomson is coming off of a knockout finish over Nate Diaz at UFC on Fox 7 in April.  Josh Thomson has been considered an elite lightweight fighter for many years.  In his UFC return he proved that the bright lights of the UFC place no extra pressure on the MMA vet.  I think that this match up is one that makes the most sense.  Thomson is on his way to the top and knocking on the door of his title shot and a win over Henderson would be a good way to secure a shot.

On the inverse it is also a beneficial match for Henderson as well.  Henderson has demolished most of the UFC's top lightweights upon his entrance into the UFC.  Now that Strikforce has been absorbed  by the UFC there are more options out there for Henderson to face.  If Henderson could defeat Thomson he could cement his elite status by defeating a very respected MMA vet who still has a lot of fight left.  Josh Thomson has many victories in Strikeforce and has challenged for the Strikforce title on three occasions.  Josh Thomson could arguably be considered the second best Lightweight fighter to come out of Strikeforce, following Gilbert Melendez.  If Henderson wins it means that he can still beat the UFC's best-of-the-best in the 155lb weight class.

Another option is the possibility of a Henderson-Cerrone III.  There's nothing that fans love more than a good trilogy.  Both men are coming off a defeat within the last two weeks and need a win.  Like Thomson, Cerrone has been a long time contender in the Zuffa organization.  Donald Cerrone has fought for the WEC Lightweight Championship on three occasions.  His first title fight was with Jamie Varner and his next two were with Benson Henderson.  Cerrone is a one of the UFC's best lighweights and a great match up for Henderson to produce a war.

In October at UFC 166, the king of the Strikforce Lightweight Division, Gilbert Melendez, will be facing the original Ultimate Fighter, Diego Sanchez.  If Ben Henderson were to face the winner of the Melendez-Sanchez it provides UFC fans with two beautiful options: a rematch that allows Gilbert Melendez to avenge his split decision loss to Henderson earlier this year or a fresh match between two of the UFC's biggest stars whose paths have yet to cross.

Other options: Rafael dos Anjos, Gleison Tibau, Gray Maynard and BJ Penn if he chooses to pursuit his fight career again.

UFC Fight Night 27 Delivers

Last night's Fox Sports 1 event was a successful event that included lots of entertaining fights.  There was knockouts, submissions and close decisions all packed into one amazing event.  Carlos Condit was able to rise up last night and put on an amazing performance that earned he and Kampmann Fight of the Night honors.  Carlos Condit proved that his climb to the top was no fluke.  Condit was coming off of a two fight losing streak against top competition including a fight with the UFC Welterweight Champion, Georges St. Pierre and St. Pierre's UFC 167 opponent, Johnny Hendricks.  I think that Condit is now 1 or 2 wins away from a title shot.  Condit survived the early takedowns of Kampmann in the first round to go on and win rounds 2 and 3 and finish Kampmann in the fourth by TKO due to strikes.

Rafael Dos Anjos also made a statement in his fight with Donald Cerrone.  Dos Anjos was able to keep the pressure on Cerrone in their bout in which he earned a decision victory and moves up the ranks in the UFC Lightweight Division.  Cerrone had no answer for the striking attack that dos Anjos used to keep Cerrone from getting comfortable.  Cerrone wasn't able to find his rhythm until the third round in which he was finally able to open up with an effective strike game which featured his devastating leg kicks that made dos Anjos lose his footing early in the round.  Though Cerrone was able to put off a great third round, it just proved to be too late in the fight to pull off a win.  Dos Anjos made a real name for himself in the Lightweight division with his win over Donald Cerrone.  This was dos Anjos fifth straight victory in the UFC.

Recent Ultimate Fighter winner Kelvin Gastelum came into last night's event with a win over hyped up opponent Uriah Hall into his welterweight debut over Brian Melancon.  Gastelum came into the fight looking to be in amazing shape and looked calm and confident as he was going into an important fight in his post-TUF UFC career.  Gastelum was able to out-strike the powerful striker Melancon.  Melancon was rocked and dropped by a series of punches thrown by Gastelum.  Instead of continuing with strikes on the ground, Gastelum quickly took Melancon's back and secured a rear naked choke to earn the submission victory in the first round, winning his welterweight debut.

Another Ultimate Fighter winner was able to pull off a victory in their fight last night and that man was the talented Court McGee.  Court McGee was able to outstrike and overpressure Brian Whittaker last night handing Whittaker his first loss in the UFC.  The win came via split decision in which the judges scored the bout 30-27,27-30, 29-28 for Court McGee.

Takeya Mizugaki also put on a show for the fans with Erik Perez as the put on a complete mixed-martial-arts fight that had a perfect balance of striking and grappling that was delightful to watch and possibly my favorite fight from last night.  The fight was decided via split decision but I felt it was clear enough that Mizugaki had earned a unanimous decision but the judges thought otherwise.  This was Takeya's third straight victory in the UFC.

I would rate this event 8/10 as it was an amazing event that completely delivered while other UFC events have disappointed.

UFC Fight Night 27 Results

Main card
Carlos Condit def. Martin Kampmann via fourth-round TKO
Rafael dos Anjos def. Donald Cerrone via unanimous decision
Kevin Gastelum def. Brian Melancon via submission (rear-naked choke)
Court McGee def. Robert Whittaker via split decision
Takeya Mizugaki def. Erik Perez via split decision
Brad Tavares def. Bubba McDaniel via unanimous decision

UFC Fight Night 27 Weigh In Results

MAIN CARD

Carlos Condit (170.5) vs. Martin Kampmann (170)
Donald Cerrone (156) vs. Rafael dos Anjos (155.5)
Kelvin Gastelum (170) vs. Brian Melancon (170)
Court McGee (170) vs. Robert Whittaker (170.5)
Takeya Mizugaki (135.5) vs. Erik Perez (135.5)
Brad Tavares (186) vs. Bubba McDaniel (185)

PRELIMINARY CARD

Dylan Andrews (185) vs. Papy Abedi (184.5)
Justin Edwards (170) vs. Brandon Thatch (170)
Darren Elkins (145) vs. Hatsu Hioki (146)
James Head (170.5) vs. Jason High (171)
Zak Cummings (170.5) vs. Ben Alloway (170)
Roger Bowling (155.5) vs. Abel Trujillo (155)

Ladies and Gentlemen, we will witness an amazing card tomorrow evening.

Chael and Kenny's UFN 27 Predictions

Kenny Florian and Chael Sonnen weigh in on the coming UFC Event this Wednesday.

UFC Fight Night 27 Fight Card

UFC Fight Night 27 is set to be an exciting night filled with great fights.  The event will be headlined with a rematch between former WEC Welterweight Champion and UFC Interim Welterweight Champion, Carlos Condit and Danish welterweight stand out Martin Kampmann.  In their first bout Kampmann came out the victor by split decision after going three exciting, back-and-forth rounds of action.  Both men are in need of a victory after coming off of losses in recent bouts.  Both men have a common loss to Johnny Hendricks in the last year.  This match promises to be an exciting match between exciting fighters who left it all in the cage in their last match.

UFC Fight Night 27 also features the UFC debut of Kelvin Gastelum after his successful win over heavy fan favorite Uriah Hall to be come TUF Season 17 winner. Donald Cerrone also looks to regain his position as a top contender in the UFC's Lightweight Division and Rafael dos Anjos looks to make his way up the ladder in their fight that will be the co-main event of the card.

Main Card (FOX Sports 1 8PM ET)

Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann
Donald Cerrone vs. Rafael dos Anjos
Kelvin Gastelum vs. Brian Melancon
Court McGee vs. Robert Whittaker
Robert McDaniel vs. Brad Tavares
Takeya Mizugaki vs. Erik Perez

Preliminary Card (FOX Sports 2 6PM ET)

Papy Abedi vs. Dylan Andrews
Justin Edwards vs. Brandon Thatch
Darren Elkins vs. Hatsu Hioki
James Head vs. Jason High

Preliminary Card (Facebook 5PM ET)

Ben Alloway vs. Zak Cummings
Roger Bowling vs. Abel Trujillo