Donald Cerrone wins thriller vs. Al Iaquinta, calls out Conor McGregor

Donald Cerrone defied age with a decisive win over a fellow UFC lightweight contender, Saturday night in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and then called out the sport’s biggest star, afterward.

“I guess I’m doing it for all the old people out there,” the 36-year-old new father said after his decision win over Al Iaquinta.

“I’m coming [for the UFC lightweight championship]. ‘Dad’ Cerrone is 3-0, now. I’m on a new mission ... I want the title, unless Conor McGregor, you want to fight me in July. Fourth of July, let’s do it.”

Cerrone and McGregor both have expressed interest in facing one another publicly in recent months, but “Cowboy” has yet to be able to secure a bout agreement with the former featherweight and lightweight champion. Still, Cerrone managed a huge win over a possibly more difficult though less notorious challenge in Iaquinta.

After five back-and-forth rounds that saw Cerrone floor Iaquinta with strikes twice, scores were 49-45 (twice), and 49-46 for the BMF Ranch fighter. Cerrone used his lead jab to, first, bloody Iaquinta’s nose, and then drop him to the canvas.

The expert kicker also unloaded with multiple front kicks to the face, one of which snapped Iaquinta’s head back and buckled him to the floor. Despite being hurt repeatedly, Iaquinta never stopped trying to win, and landed a great deal of his own offense, notably with left hooks and right crosses to the head throughout the fight.

Between the fourth and fifth rounds, the referee called in a ringside physician to examine Iaquinta, whose right eye had begun to close and who had several other cuts on his face. The game Serra/Longo team member insisted he could continue into the fight’s final round and was allowed to.

He soon landed a powerful right punch to the head before swinging and missing with a looping left. Cerrone picked up his jab offense once more before landing multiple kicks to the leg, which he’d been punishing all fight long, and in accordance to his cornerman Joe Schilling’s instructions.

Iaquinta later caught a subsequent leg kick and attempted a takedown that Cerrone escaped, before connecting with another punch to the head. Cerrone charged in with a punch combination to the head, unloading considerable volume and Iaquinta answered back as both men looked to finish one another with 30 seconds left.

Cerrone faked one knee strike then let loose a second, flying knee attempt that Iaquinta ducked under. Cerrone ended on top after a scramble and connected with one last big strike to the head of Iaquinta before the final horn sounded, ending the contest.

Cerrone stood back up, raised his hands in victory while the stunned Iaquinta looked up while on his hands and knees before attempting to walk out of the cage and being stopped by officials. Cerrone enjoyed the judges’ decision being announced while holding his baby son who donned a poncho, cowboy boots and noise-canceling headphones.

Iaquinta’s record drops to 14-6 with his loss. Cerrone’s win improves his own to 37-11.

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