Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and Rafael dos Anjos met in the co-main event with an attempt to climb the ladder of the UFC’s lightweight division.
The two traded some nice combos, but midway through the first round dos Anjos landed a beautiful right hook that stumbled “Cowboy”. Cerrone transitioned to a triangle choke, but dos Anjos was able to get free and reign down bombs from Cerrone’s guard.
Rafael dos Anjos takes home the judges nod against Donald Cerrone
Dos Anjos began to swarm Cerrone with body kicks to start the second round. It seemed as if Cerrone had enough on the feet and instantly took the fight to the mat and ended up in dos Anjos’ half guard. A scramble had the two end up back on their feet with two minutes left in the round. A powerful takedown was landed by dos Anjos and he ended up in Cerrone’s open guard with one minute left.
The third round began with a touch of the gloves and the two squaring off in the center of the Octagon. Dos Anjos was able to mix up some nice leg kicks with body punches and shots to the head. Cerrone was able to find his range a little better with just under two minutes to go – landing some leg kicks and head shots. Dos Anjos landed a big left hook with thirty seconds left, but it didn’t phase Cerrone.
Rafael dos Anjos def. Donald Cerrone via Unanimous Decision (29-28,29-28,29-28)