Two rising lightweights looked to derail the other’s run up the title ladder as former WEC title challenger Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone collided with young Brazilian Charles “do Bronx” Oliveira. Cerrone looked for his first high profile win since the UFC absorbed the WEC and Oliveira hoped to erase the memory of a no-contest fight with Nik Lentz back in June.
The fighters traded kicks to open the fight, but Cerrone landed a big knee to the body. Oliveira looked for a clinch, but Cerrone shrugged him off. Cerrone threw a kick to the body that connected below the belt and prompted a momentary stoppage. Oliveira used repeated teep kicks to the stomach of Cerrone to change the tide midway through the round. Cerrone connected with a huge body shot that sent Oliveira to the mat and Cerrone flurried with punches. Mario Yamasaki was forced to step in and save Oliveira from the barrage.
Cerrone moved his record to 3-0 inside the UFC, while Oliveira is now winless in his last three fights inside the Octagon.
Official result: Donald Cerrone def. Charles Oliveira via TKO (strikes) at 3:01 of Round 1.