Coach Roufus says Pettis and Cerrone have verbally agreed to rematch

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Anthony Pettis and Donald Cerrone have verbally agreed to a rematch, per Pettis’ head coach Duke Roufus.

Expect the UFC to officially announce a rematch between Anthony Pettis and Donald Cerrone, as both men have verbally agreed to fight each other, per ‘Showtime’s’ head coach and mentor Duke Roufus.

Roufus, who trains Pettis out of Roufusport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, said both men are just waiting on a date. The former kickboxing champion didn’t reveal whether the fight would be contested at lightweight or welterweight.

“It has been a longtime in the making. The @ufc offered @showtimepettis a rematch with @cowboycerrone Donald & Anthony have professionally reached out personally to one another & have agreed to fight each other. Both guys have given MMA some epic performances fighting all the top fighters in sport. We are just waiting on a date to dance,” Roufus posted on Facebook earlier today.

Pettis, the former WEC and UFC lightweight champion, last fought Cerrone at UFC on FOX 6 back in 2013, finishing ‘Cowboy’ with a body kick and follow-up punches to earn a title shot against then-lightweight champ Benson Henderson. Pettis went on to submit Henderson to win the UFC lightweight title but his reign as champion was short-lived. Pettis successfully defended the belt against then-top contender Gilbert Melendez but lost the title to Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 185, losing via lopsided unanimous decision.

Cerrone, 36, has never won a UFC title but the MMA veteran is one of the most decorated fighters in the sport. The fan favorite holds the record for most wins (21) and most finishes in UFC history (15). Cerrone last fought earlier this year at UFC Fight Night 158, where he was knocked out by former WSOF lightweight champ Justin Gaethje in the main event.

Expect an official fight announcement regarding Pettis vs. Cerrone in the coming days.