Donald Cerrone had to armbar Rafael dos Anjos twice at Submission Underground 19.
Donald Cerrone has two previous losses against Rafael dos Anjos in the UFC, a decision in 2013 and a TKO loss in 2015. Half a decade later, Cowboy got some of that back with two armbar wins over the former lightweight champion. Well, sort of.
Cerrone and Dos Anjos faced off in a grappling bout at Submission Underground 19, which ended up with a bit of controversy. In overtime, Cowboy locked in an armbar, which RDA looked to have tapped to. He immediately denied it though, claiming it was just a push to defend.
Watch the controversial finish:
Cowboy submits RDA in OT. RDA says nuh uh. Looked like a tap but was supposed to be a push. #SUG19 pic.twitter.com/Oj7cJc5Jnb
— ShayMyName (@ImShannonTho) December 21, 2020
Better view of the tap/push #SUG19 pic.twitter.com/3QvUC9SvT8
— ShayMyName (@ImShannonTho) December 21, 2020
Was it a tap? Was it a push? Well, Chael Sonnen and the crew behind the grappling organization just suddenly decided to do a repeat and leave no doubt.
Watch as Cerrone manages to do it again, finishing Dos Anjos more definitively the second time around.
Ok RDA OFFICIALLY taps. Hopefully they show a better view. #SUG19 pic.twitter.com/Oza3HtEFOR
— ShayMyName (@ImShannonTho) December 21, 2020
While it obviously won’t count on their official records, it’s nice to see Cerrone showcase some of his grappling chops and get his hand raised again. The last couple of years have been rough for the 37-year-old MMA veteran, going winless in his last five fights, including a draw (that was weirdly overturned to a No Contest) against Niko Price in his most recent outing.
Full results for Submission Underground 19 can be seen below. (HT: MMA Mania)
MAIN CARD
Donald Cerrone defeats Rafael dos Anjos via submission (armbar) – Overtime 1, 0:20
Champ Mason Fowler defeats Satoshi Ishii via submission (armbar) – Overtime 3, 0:11 – to retain SUG absolute championship
Donald Cerrone defeats Rafael dos Anjos via submission (armbar) – Overtime 2, 0:20
Ryan Bader defeats Anthony Johnson via escape time – Full time
Craig Jones defeats Brent Primus via submission (rear-naked choke) – Regulation, 3:50
Kevin Casey defeats Gabriel Checco via submission (armbar) – Overtime 3, 0:23
Amanda Loewen defeats Felicia Spencer via submission (armbar) – Regulation, 3:47 – for SUG women’s title
PRELIMINARY CARD
Andy Varela defeats Cris Lencioni via submission (rear-naked choke) – Overtime 1, 0:30
Phill Schwartz defeats Alex Larmey via submission (rear-naked choke) – Overtime 3, 0:34
Charlie Gilpin defeats Paul Kaufman via submission (guillotine choke) – Regulation, 0:40
Denny Prokopos defeats Don Stoner via submission (armbar) – Overtime 1, 0:03