UFC 141 features one of the biggest matchups in UFC history, as former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar makes his long awaited return to the Octagon against the former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem, in a No. 1 contender matchup for the UFC heavyweight title.
However, the co-main event could steal the show, as it will feature a lightweight matchup between The Ultimate Fighter Season 5 winner, Nate Diaz, and a two-time challenger to the WEC lightweight belt, Donald Cerrone.
Diaz recently made his return to the lightweight division at UFC 135, where he submitted former Pride lightweight champion Takanori Gomi in the first round, and earned submission of the night.
Many who saw the fight said it was the best Diaz had ever looked and that he could now be a force to be reckoned with at lightweight.
However, he’s nothing but a stepping stone to Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.
Cerrone (17-3 [1 NC]) has been on a tear since entering the UFC, having racked up four straight wins inside the Octagon (six in a row total going back to his last WEC fights), and in his time in the Octagon, he has picked up a submission, knockout and fight of the night award.
In his last fight, Cowboy faced off against the dangerous German striker, Dennis Siver.
Many expected Siver to have the edge in the stand up department, but Cerrone was able to rock him—more than once—in the first round.
Then, when he rocked him the last time, Cerrone was able to get his back and sink in the rear-naked choke at 2:22 of the first round.
Cerrone is without a doubt one of the most dangerous fighters in the lightweight division. His combination of Muay Thai kickboxing and top-notch jiu-jitsu makes him a handful for any fighter to deal with.
In fact, two of his three losses have come at the hands of the current No. 1 lightweight contender, Benson Henderson.
Not only does he have enough tools at his disposal to be a threat to anyone, but Diaz’s last foray into the lightweight division didn’t pan out all that well, as he went 1-3 in his last four fights in the division, dropping decisions to Gray Maynard, Joe Stevenson and Clay Guida, with the lone win being over Melvin Guillard—pre Jackson.
Cowboy will walk right through Diaz as he works his way closer to a shot at the UFC lightweight title, and potentially a third fight with Benson Henderson, which you can be sure he’s looking for.
Tim McTiernan is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. For the latest news on everything MMA, follow him on twitter @tmt2393.
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