Dos Anjos had already beaten Cerrone when they first fought in August 2013, but "Cowboy" was coming into the match on the heels of a spectacular eight-fight winning streak that included a victory over former champion Benson Henderson.
Cerrone's winning streak came to a quick end, however, as Dos Anjos thoroughly dominate him. The Brazilian connected on a huge knee early in the first round that visibly hurt "Cowboy," and Dos Anjos then landed a kick to the body that proved to be the beginning of the end.
With Cerrone still stumbling due to the kick, Dos Anjos unloaded several punches that forced the challenger to cover up against the cage. He managed to survive the initial barrage and get the fight back in the middle, but Dos Anjos would not be denied, connecting on more strikes that forced the referee to stop the fight.
"I proved that I am in this division to stay," said Dos Anjos, who was announced the winner via technical knockout. "All those accusations that people were throwing at me – I'm here with my belt. It's just he beginning of my career."
Dos Anjos had dominated former champion Anthony Pettis in March to win the title, but needed only one minute and six seconds to defend it. Nevertheless, he commended Cerrone afterward, pointing out that it was not easy to win eight straight fights in the lightweight division.
"But I have the best team," Dos Anjos was quick to add. "I'm surrounded by great people."
Dos Anjos' last words were reserved not for other challengers in the lightweight division, but to featherweight champion Conor McGregor, who last week dethroned his countryman, Jose Aldo, in just 13 seconds.
"Hey, Mr. McGregor," Dos Anjos said, "If you want to come to the lightweight division, this is my division, man. You better stay in featherweight."
"I will fight him in Brazil, I will go to Ireland to face you there, whatever, man. I'm here to stay," he announced.
Cerrone, for his part, said the loss "sucks" but had no complaints. "I didn't show up to work," he said. "I couldn't find my gear. He showed up and I didn't. He did a good job."
Overeem TKOs Dos Santos
In the co-main event, Alistair Overeem stopped Junior Dos Santos in the second round in a battle of heavyweights.
After an uneventful first round, the two heavyweights finally opened up in the second, exchanging heavy kicks, with Overeem – a former world champion kickboxer – targeting Dos Santos' body multiple times. A combination by Overeem opened up a cut above Dos Santos' eye with a minute to go in the round, but the Brazilian responded by catching Overeem against the fence and unloading punches.
Overeem shook off the attack, however, and moved back to the center of the cage, where he unleashed a picture-perfect left hook that dropped Dos Santos to the mat. He followed it up with hammer fists, and the referee moved to stop the fight immediately.
Dos Santos was unhappy with the stoppage, but it was clear that the former heavyweight champion was groggy and struggling to get back up to his feet. The official time of stoppage was at the 4:43 mark of the second round.
"Junior is a very, very dangerous opponent," Overeem said afterward. "You have to fight cautious against him, because he throws bombs. He felt very strong. You have to have this game plan, figure out his rhythm, and pick him apart."
The victory was the 40th of Overeem's career, and put him in prime position to challenge for the UFC heavyweight championship.
In the undercard, Nate Diaz made a winning return to the UFC, out-pointing Michael Johnson with scores of 29-28 across the board.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
