Donald Cerrone didn’t avenge his 2013 loss to Anthony Pettis tonight at UFC 249, but “Cowboy” came very close, as he and “Showtime” went to war for three rounds.
Round one
Cerrone came out pressuring and Pettis largely looked to counter. About 90 seconds in, Cerrone changed levels and looked for a single leg. Pettis planted a nice right a couple of minutes in. After Pettis missed with a kick Cerrone attempted to clinch up but “Showtime” broke free. Moments later Pettis just missed with a jumping kick and Cerrone took him down. Cerrone was unable to control from the top and eventually let Pettis up. Late in the round, Pettis threatened with some kicks and scored with a hard right.
Round two
Pettis landed with a right moments into the second round and grazed Cerrone with a head kick. Cerrone fired a nice left hook that Pettis ate. Pettis scored another hard right moments later. Cerrone countered Pettis a stinging right. Pettis just missed with a jumping switch kick. “Cowboy” planted a body kick and Pettis fired back, but moments later, Cerrone took him down. Pettis got back to his feet and Cerrone almost landed a headkick.
Round three
Cerrone opened the round with a body kick. Pettis scored with a nice left not long after. After the two continued to fire punches, Cerrone changed levels, but Pettis stopped the takedown. Pettis fired in a hard kick to the body but Cerrone clinched up and landed a knee to the body. Moments later, Pettis hit Cerrone with a left to the eye that clearly hurt “Cowboy”. It looked like Cerrone may have thought it was an eyepoke. Cerrone tagged Pettis with a headkick not long after but “Showtime” appeared to be unfazed. Both men continued to wing hard punches. Cerrone charged forward with a flurry before the final round ended. Great fight.
Replay shows that Cerrone did take a poke to the eye earlier in the round.
Judges scored the fight for Pettis via unanimous decision.
Here are the results so far for UFC 249, which is taking place in Jacksonville, Florida.
Anthony Pettis def. Donald Cerrone via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Aleksei Oleinik def. Fabricio Werdum via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Carla Esparza def. Michelle Waterson via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 27-30)
Vicente Luque def. Niko Price via TKO (doctor stoppage) R3, 3:37
Bryce Mitchell def. Charles Rosa via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-24)
Ryan Spann def. Sam Alvey via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
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