We sure found out who the real “Cowboy” was last night (Sun., Feb. 21, 2016) at UFC Fight Night 83.
Donald Cerrone made his welterweight debut against short-notice replacement Alex Oliveira in the Pittsburgh, Pa., main event inside CONSOL Energy Center. The former lightweight title challenger was looking to distance himself from a disappointing knockout loss to 155-pound champion Rafael dos Anjos by taking out the Brazilian “Cowboy.”
For the full main event recap click here.
Oliveira, who turned 28 yesterday, had yet to fight anyone of Cerrone’s caliber, but was a welterweight on the rise nonetheless. He started off the contest pressuring the Jackson-Wink MMA combatant, putting Cerrone in the clinch.
He then had landed a couple of heavy punches, while pursuing Cerrone, but it was the submission ace that scored a beautiful takedown off of an excellent level change. Cerrone quickly moved into full mount, where he found the opening for to cinch up a triangle choke.
He rolled over on his back, as Oliveira looked to defend, but it was too late. Cerrone secured the tap easily and earned his first win at 170 pounds.
He moves to 16-4 in his UFC career, while Oliveira falls to 14-3-1-(1).
For more UFC Fight Night 83 coverage, including post-fight recaps and analysis, click here.