The UFC is looking to book a top-ten lightweight bout between Myles Jury and Donald Cerrone.
UFC Tonight reported that Jury, who is 15-0 in his mixed martial arts career and 5-0 in the UFC, likes the idea of fighting the surging “Cowboy” Cerrone next, but that they’d prefer the fight be held in January.
Jury’s manager Ryan Haas told Ariel Helwani that the earliest they want to fight is at UFC 182 on Jan. 3, because they “have things to take care of.”
“We’re getting asked nonstop for Cerrone vs. Jury,” Haas said. “UFC has been in touch. They want it, the fans want it, we want it, now it’s about getting all of us confirmed for the January date.”
The 25-year old Jury is coming off a first round TKO of Takanori Gomi at UFC Fight Nigh 52 in Saitama, Japan. The Ultimate Fighter 15 veteran has been increasingly impressive in his young UFC career, scoring victories over Michael Johnson, Ramsey Nijem and Diego Sanchez.
But in Cerrone, Jury will be fighting in the highest profile fight of his career. “Cowboy” Cerrone has won five fights in the last ten-and-a-half months, his latest coming against erstwhile Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez at UFC 178. Cerrone, who is currently ranked No. 4 on the media-driven UFC rankings, is in the position to be granted a title shot. But as one of the promotion’s most prolific fighters, Cerrone made it clear he’d rather stay busy than wait out the Dec. 6 title bout between champion Anthony Pettis and Gilbert Melendez.
Jury is ranked No. 8 on the current UFC rankings.