Donald Cerrone faces Alex Morono after Diego Sanchez is cut from the UFC

Alex Morono is stepping up to face the legend Donald Cerrone at UFC Vegas 26.

Donald Cerrone has found a new late-replacement opponent in Morono after his original opponent, UFC veteran Diego Sanchez was recently cut from the UFC after a confusing dispute involving his controversial coach, Joshua Fabia. The welterweight matchup will be contested this Saturday on May 8th at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas in a three-round bout. News was first reported by Milenio and confirmed by MMA Junkie.

Donald Cerrone

Donald Cerrone (36-15) last fought back in September against Niko Price which resulted in a majority draw that was overturned to a no-contest after Price tested positive for marijuana. The 36-year-old is on a downward slope these days having gone five fights without a win in recent years. His last win was against Al Iaquinta back in May 2019.

Competing in MMA since 2006, this will be “Cowboy’s” 54th professional bout and his 36th UFC fight in his long, storied career. Cerrone holds the record for the most wins and finishes in UFC history, (23 wins and 16 finishes). His most notable wins include names such as Charles Oliveira, Edson Barboza, Jim Miller, Eddie Alvarez, Benson Henderson, Al Iaquinta along with a host of others.

Alex Morono

Morono (18-7) was last seen in action versus former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis when he lost a close unanimous decision. Prior to the loss, Morono went 4-1 in his last 5 bouts with wins against the likes of Song Kenan, Zak Ottow, Max Griffin and most recently against the former CageWarriors champion Rhys Mckee by unanimous decision.

Funnily Morono shares a common opponent with Cerrone in Price which was also overturned to a no-contest due to Price testing positive for marijuana back in February 2017. Morono is a former LFA welterweight champion when he defeated Derrick Krantz by first-round guillotine choke submission in 2015 which effectively earned him a UFC contract.

UFC Vegas 26 now includes: