Donald Cerrone (29-7 1 NC) won the “Cowboy” battle by submission in his first-ever bout at welterweight at UFC Fight Night 83 earlier tonight (Sun. February 21, 2016).
Cerrone defeated Alex Oliveira by triangle choke inside CONSOL Energy Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. The 10-year veterans sixteenth career submission.
“I get to do 50 and 70 now so everybody, if you want to get hurt I know a guy,” Cerrone told Jon Anik after the bout.
After the first exchange, Oliveira pressed Cerrone against the cage, but could not mount much offense. Cerrone, who seemed to struggle with the size and strength of Oliveira at first, tried for a trip takedown but could not get it. The No.5-ranked UFC lightweight tried again and this time he got Oliveira to the mat.
From there it was only a matter of time. Cerrone quicly transitioned from his back to mount and locked up a mounted triangle choke. As he rolled over to his back, Oliveira was forced to tap out.
The official stoppage came at 2:33 of the first round.
A huge highlight-reel submission victory for Cerrone, who bounces back into the win column after getting throttled his last time out at the hands of current UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos. Cerrone has now won nine out of his last 10 fights and improves to 16-4 in the UFC. The triangle choke was the fourth submission win in his UFC tenure and tenth finish overall and should make him $50, 000 richer when post-fight bonuses are handed out at the end of the night.
Oliveira falls to 3-2 in the UFC and has his three-fight winning streak snapped.
For complete UFC Fight Night 83 “Cerrone vs. Oliveira” results, including play-by-play updates, click here.