Donald Cerrone was on a two-fight winning streak when he faced Edson Barboza on the main card of UFC on FOX 11. Cerrone had won both of those fights by stoppage. He put Evan Dunham away in the second-round via a triangle choke submission and two months after that he knocked out Adriano Martins via a head kick. Cerrone had also earned fight-night bonus awards in each of those outings.
Barboza was on a winning streak of his own. He had won his three previous bouts, stopping Lucas Martins and Rafaello Oliveira by knockout and then earning a majority decision over Danny Castillo. The Castillo bout took home “Fight of the Night” honors.
Cerrone was a slight underdog on the April 2014 fight card.
Barboza stunned Cerrone early in the fight, but he was unable to put Cerrone away. However, Barboza remained in control of the battle as the first round continued. Barboza continued to pepper his opponent with fast strikes, but with 1:55 left in the opening stanza, Cerrone dropped Barboza with a jab. Cerrone gave Barboza no time to recover. He quickly followed him to the ground, took Barboza’s back and forced him to submit via a rear-naked choke.
The win was a textbook display on how to capitalize on an opportunity.
Cerrone was awarded a “Performance of the Night” bonus for his victory.
Cerrone hopes to he will have the chance to make the most of his opportunity when he faces Leon Edwards on Saturday at UFC Fight Night 132. Like the Barboza fight, Cerrone is the underdog in the bout that will headline the card from Singapore Indoor Stadium.
The entire fight card streams on UFC Fight Pass.
Cerrone recently ended a three-fight losing skid with a first-round knockout of Yancy Medeiros.
Before that event takes place, relive Cerrone’s stunning win over Barboza.
