With three title fights on the card, last night’s (Sat., July 29, 2017) UFC 214 from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California looked excellent on paper, and it will go down as one of the rare UFC PPV cards that was massively hyped and actually delivered on that promise. There were quick knockouts, methodical finishes, […]
With three title fights on the card, last night’s (Sat., July 29, 2017) UFC 214 from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California looked excellent on paper, and it will go down as one of the rare UFC PPV cards that was massively hyped and actually delivered on that promise. There were quick knockouts, methodical finishes, titles lost and titles earned.
With a bevy of amazing performances from top to bottom, there’s much to break down following Saturday night. Let’s take a look at what the MMA landscape looks like after UFC 214!
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
5. Lawler Wins War Of Attrition With Cowboy
This fight ended up living up to how good it looked on paper. Both men had their moments in a competitive fight, with a bat out of hell beginning for Lawler right out of the gate.
Lawler applied methodical pressure, and had Cowboy hurt with several body shots and big uppercuts in the clinch during the opening moments of the fight.
The former welterweight champion looked every bit the part on Saturday night, but talks of a rematch with Woodley are still premature. Even Lawler said so himself during the post-fight interview, where he also dedicated his win to Matt Hughes as Hughes recovers in the hospital.
A fight with Kelvin Gastelum, should he be able to make 170 pounds again, sounds ideal for Lawler.
Former UFC lightweight title challenger Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone experienced quite a bit of success after moving up to 170 pounds in early 2016, scoring four consecutive stoppage victories over the likes of Alex Oliveira, Patrick Cote, Rick Story and Matt Brown. His momentum came to a screeching halt earlier this year, however, when he was finished
Former UFC lightweight title challenger Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone experienced quite a bit of success after moving up to 170 pounds in early 2016, scoring four consecutive stoppage victories over the likes of Alex Oliveira, Patrick Cote, Rick Story and Matt Brown. His momentum came to a screeching halt earlier this year, however, when he was finished by Jorge Masvidal at UFC on FOX 23 in his hometown of Denver, Colorado this past January.
Now, Cerrone will have the chance to bounce back in a blockbuster fight, as he’s set to meet former welterweight champion “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler at UFC 213 on July 8, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada during International Fight Week. Like Cerrone, Lawler is coming off of a disappointing loss as well, as he hasn’t competed since surrendering his title in brutal fashion to Tyron Woodley at UFC 201 last July.
Despite both men recently experiencing setbacks, Cerrone feels as if the fight sells itself:
“I don’t think you have to gas us up,” Cerrone told MMA Junkie Wednesday during a media luncheon. “We’re already full tanks, man.”
While the fight could certainly hold major implications for both men, “Cowboy” isn’t looking at that way. Instead, he expressed his excitement for the upcoming contest, saying there’s no place he’d rather be than in the cage across from the “Ruthless” one:
“Robbie is old school, been around forever. And so have I. Somebody’s going to lose. But I don’t think Robbie looks at it like that; neither do I,” Cerrone said. “I don’t go in there like, ‘(Expletive) I have to win. My career.’ … I’m going to fight, to fight one of the best brawlers, going to stand up, (expletive) throw down, and put on a show. This fight is for me. This is what I love. There’s no place I’d rather be than in that mother(expletive). And then throwing down with one of the greatest? C’mon, I’m loving it – every minute of it.”
The fight has a serious chance to produce fireworks as both men tend to engage in slug fights and Cerrone even feels as if it could turn out to be a ‘Fight of the Year’ contender. It’s a fight, in his opinion, that no fight fan should miss:
“Oh, for sure. In my mind it already is,” Cerrone said. “‘Fight of the Everything.’ Fight of my life. Can’t wait, man. I’m (expletive) pumped. It’s going to be exciting. I don’t even know why I need to keep selling this fight. If you’re not a (expletive) MMA fan and watching this fight, then (expletive) you. That’s all I’ve got to say.”
UFC 213 is currently expected to be headlined by a bantamweight grudge match between 135-pound king Cody Garbrandt and former titleholder TJ Dillashaw, although a back injury to “No Love” has put the bout in jeopardy. Women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes is also set to defend her title on the card, taking on surging contender Valentina Shevchenko in a rematch of their UFC 196 bout last March.
The MMA world was dealt a disappointing blow when it was confirmed that former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler was forced out of his awaited showdown with Donald Cerrone at November 12’s UFC 205 from New York City. A glimmer of hope came in the form of a rumor linking Nick Diaz to negotiations to replace “Ruthless,”
A glimmer of hope came in the form of a rumor linking Nick Diaz to negotiations to replace “Ruthless,” but today (Wed., September 14, 2016) news has arrived that another top welterweight will apparently face “Cowboy.” According to a Tweet from ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, No. 5-ranked welterweight Kelvin Gastelum has agreed to fight Cerrone in the UFC’s NYC debut:
Just confirmed with @danawhite, Cowboy Cerrone vs. Kelvin Gastelum agreed for UFC 205 on Nov. 12 at MSG.
While it may not be against a storied MMA legend like Lawler, defeating a fighter as highly ranked as Gastelum would arguably put Cerrone, who’s finished off Rick Story, Patrick Cote, and Alex Oliveira since moving up to 170 following a failed title bout against Rafael dos Anjos at lightweight, in title contention in one of MMA’s most talented divisions.
Although he’s had repeated problems making weight, Gastelum has picked up wins over some of welterweight’s finest, including a decision victory over former champion Johny Hendricks at July 9’s UFC 200 from Las Vegas. He’s currently split his last four bouts at 2-2, but both losses were closely contested split decisions to current champ Tyron Woodley (a bout many felt he won) and stalwart vet Neil Magny.
Gastelum was originally slated to face Jorge Masvidal at UFC Fight Night: Dos Anjos vs. Ferguson on November 5 from Mexico City, Mexico.
UFC welterweights may now have to deal with the fact a title fight is unlikely in the immediate future. Tyron Woodley seems set on fighting Georges St-Pierre or Nick Diaz, but that might provide some very interesting fights. Although the championship may be tied up, we already know Stephen Thompson is willing to fight again
UFC welterweights may now have to deal with the fact a title fight is unlikely in the immediate future. Tyron Woodley seems set on fighting Georges St-Pierre or Nick Diaz, but that might provide some very interesting fights. Although the championship may be tied up, we already know Stephen Thompson is willing to fight again if passed over. Yesterday ‘Wonderboy’ called for the winner of Demian Maia vs. Carlos Condit if required.
In the interim, ex-champion Robbie Lawler needs to get back in the saddle. Following the knockout loss to Woodley at UFC 201, ‘Ruthless’ has reportedly called UFC president Dana White. ‘Ruthless’ had squeaked past ‘The Natural Born Killer’ at UFC 195 and was unable to get going against Woodley.
Lawler vs…
According to Damon Martin of FOX Sports, the former welterweight champion is calling for a fight ASAP. Obviously the crushing loss to ‘The Chosen One’ has motivated Lawler to get back in the octagon quick.
Any Takers?
Lawler’s requests have led to another popular veteran answering the call. Yep, Donald Cerrone has offered to fight the former champion at UFC 205. The pay-er-view event will feature the first ever UFC show to be held in New York, at the famed Madison Square Garden no less. ‘Cowboy’ starched Rick Story at UFC 202 for his third straight win, shortly after signing a new eight-fight contract with the promotion.
Although he’d then talked about dropping down to lightweight, the fan friendly Cerrone once again proves he’s willing to fight anyone, anywhere.
Donald Cerrone vs. Robbie Lawler?
Why not book this fight? The UFC’s debut in New York has a ton of great potential fights, and Lawler vs. Cerrone would be a great seller on the main card. Both guys have proved to be thoroughly entertaining in the past. The November 12 card is yet to have any bouts officially booked.
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