Donald Cerrone - The Cowboy Rides on the Big Stage
With the merge of the WEC into the UFC, comes talent that a lot of people have yet to be exposed to. One of those gems coming to the octagon is Donald “The Cowboy” Cerrone and with him comes exciting fights.
With Paul Kelly at hand, anything but an easy fight is ain store for the Cowboy. Donald Cerrone is no stranger to a tough fight, as was proven in the rematch between himself and Jamie Varner. Everyone expected to see Cerrone try and submit Varner, after all 11 of his 13 professional victories have came by way of submission. Cerrone decided to show a new aspect of his game, so he went toe to toe with Varner and actually dominated on his feet. Varner with a heavy wrestling base, didn’t expect to be on his back but thats exactly where Cerrone put him, multiple times at that. After a grueling 3 rounds of strikes mixed with some take downs and submission attempts, the bout went to the judges decision and Cerrone came out victorious. To say the Cowboy is an up and comer in the sport of MMA is incorrect because he already has wealth of experience and what comes along with each fight. At the same stroke of the token, Cerrone, hasn’t even came close to scratching the surface of his talents, yet.
The debut of Cerrone into the UFC is sure to be one to watch, especially since, like him, his opponent hasn’t recorded a straight KO in either of their professional careers. Most of you are probably sitting here saying, “Wait, what? You say its going to be exciting yet neither have a KO on record” well just because they aren’t knockout artists, doesn’t mean its going to be boring by any standards. Fans should expect to see a whole new Cerrone in the Octagon come fight night. The Cowboy trains at Jackson’s, which that right there speaks for itself. Cerrone has proven his Jiu Jitsu multiple times, but Jackson’s camp is more of striking and wrestling. Could we be witness to a whole new Cerrone come night of the fight? Critics and fans alike believe that with the addition of his technical stand up and his new found take down ability, this warrior is sure to pose huge problems for kelly.
Kelly may not have the devastating power in his hands but he posses keen striking abilities. Paul Kelly is very methodical when it comes to his striking, he likes to pick his shots and create angles that work to his advantage. After softening up his opponents with strategical strikes, he looks for a take down by shot or by strike. One thing is for sure, you don’t want this man on top of you. 5 of his fights have ended due to (T)KO’s. The ground and pound game of Kelly seems to be his go to. In Kelly’s last fight, UFC 123 Rampage vs. Machida, Kelly earned a (T)KO victory over his opponent T.J. O’Brien due to elbow strikes.
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Although this fight isn’t on the main card, true fight fans know this fight is sure to ignite fireworks throughout the building for all 3 rounds. If we see this fight get into the later rounds, Cerrone will hold the advantage over the two. Cerrone has twice gone into the 5th round, once in his decision loss to Ben Henderson and the second time he went deep into the 5th round before losing by technical (split) decision. Come February 5th during UFC 126, fight fans will witness a prelim fight that deserves to be PPV worthy between Cerrone and Kelly. One thing is for sure, we will see hands fly during this match.
By Jeffrey Meinecke
ProFighting-fans.com MMA Staff Writer