UFC on FOX 17 Results: Rafael dos Anjos KO's Donald Cerrone, Warns Conor McGregor
Rafael dos Anjos and Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone had fought once before the UFC on FOX 17 main event on Saturday night in Orlando, Fla., but this time it was for dos Anjos’ lightweight belt.
In their first meeting, dos Anjos won a unanimous decision. Cerrone went on an eight-fight winning streak after that loss, whereas dos Anjos was 4-1 after that fight, although that included him capturing the UFC championship from Anthony Pettis in March of this year.
The time off didn’t appear to bode well for Cerrone, while dos Anjos was firing on all cylinders on Saturday night, not leaving this one for the judges to decide.
“It sucks,” said Cerrone after the fight. “I didn’t show up to work. Couldn’t find my gear. He showed up and I didn’t. He did a good job.”
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Cerrone tried to start quickly, rushing to the center of the Octagon, but dos Anjos met him there, landing a straight left that snapped Cowboy’s head back, and it only went downhill for Cerrone from there.
Cerrone tried to get his jab going, but dos Anjos answered with that hard, straight left hand. He followed with a knee to the body and then a hard left kick to the body, which forced Cerrone to back up to the fence.
The champion immediately moved in on Cerrone, unleashing a flurry of punches. He was careful with his shots, taking his time and making each punch count.
Cerrone somehow remained on his feet, slipping away from dos Anjos and backpedaling, but dos Anjos wouldn’t let him slip away. He grabbed Cerrone’s head and easily dragged him to the canvas. Following him down, dos Anjos unloaded with another barrage of punches until referee Herb Dean stopped the fight at the 1:06 mark.
Although dos Anjos has scored some impressive victories in his career, this one has to rank up there with the likes of his first-round finish of Benson Henderson. It certainly cemented his position atop the lightweight dibvision.
“I’m so happy, I just proved that I came to this division to stay. All those that say people will destroy me, I’m here with my belt,” said dos Anjos, who is ready to take on all comers, even if that means UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor, who stated he wants to be a two-division champion.
“Hey, Mr. McGregor, if you want to come to lightweight division, this is my division, man. It’s better to stay in featherweight division,” proclaimed the lightweight champ.
“I will fight you in Brazil. I will go to Ireland to fight you there. Whatever one, man. I’m here to stay.”
