The UFC makes a rare Sunday appearance when UFC Fight Night 126 goes down from Austin, Texas.
At the top of the slate, perennial fan favorite Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone takes on fellow knockout artist Yancy Medeiros, but the action doesn’t end there.
Here are three fights you can’t miss from the capital city of the Lone Star State.
Welterweight
Donald Cerrone (32-10-1) vs. Yancy Medeiros (15-4-1)
Odds (per OddsShark): Cerrone -153, Medeiros +133
Airs on: Fox Sports 1
These two fighters are trending in opposite directions. Medeiros has won three straight, all by stoppage. In his most recent contest, he knocked out “the other” Cowboy, Alex Oliveira, in a Fight of the Night performance.
Cerrone has lost three straight. If he were a lower-profile competitor, he might have received his UFC walking papers. But he is popular enough that that will probably never happen. Still, the guy could use a win.
Cerrone will bring his rangy muay thai against Medeiros‘ boxing. The Hawaiian will want to close the distance and neutralize Cowboy’s perimeter game.
The real X-factor, however, may be Medeiros‘ underrated grappling. That’s a solid plan B against Cerrone, who, while not exactly deficient on the ground, may find himself more vulnerable than he is on the feet. Sound the upset alarms.
Medeiros, TKO, Rd. 3
Heavyweight
Derrick Lewis (18-5-1) vs. Marcin Tybura (16-3)
Odds: Tybura -141, Lewis +121
Airs on: Fox Sports 1
Derrick Lewis might be the hardest hitter in the entire UFC. He hasn’t competed since June, thanks to a back injury that forced him out of a bout with Fabricio Werdum at the 11th hour.
Tybura faced Werdum in November, but it didn’t go well; he dropped a dominant decision to the former champ. The Pole is not the most charismatic fighter on the UFC roster, but he is tough and well-rounded.
This is a classic heavyweight matchup. It could be a snoozer, with both men gassing early and reeling around the cage like characters in an Irish novel, or it could be a thunderous slugfest. Here’s predicting the latter.
Lewis, KO, Rd. 1
Welterweight
Brian Camozzi (7-4) vs. Geoff Neal (8-2)
Odds: Neal -200, Camozzi +170
Airs on: Fox Sports 1
Despite their relatively abbreviated records, these two have managed to rack up eight knockouts and five submissions between them. This one’s probably not going to the judges.
You may know Geoff Neal from the Tuesday Night Contender Series that airs on UFC Fight Pass. “Handz of Steel” doesn’t do anything particularly flashy, but he knows how to get inside and punish opponents with combinations.
Brian Camozzi is a little more well-rounded, but he has a penchant for reckless brawling. That will ultimately be his undoing, but it will also make for one heck of an entertaining scrap.
Neal, TKO, Rd. 2
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