Lightweight bout: Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone (-145) vs Rafael dos Anjos (+135) Fight Breakdown: The co-main event for UFC Fight Night 27 is sure to be a barn burner when top 10 lightweights Donald Cerrone and Rafael dos Anjos step inside the Octagon in a scrap that is already favored for Fight of the Night. Cerrone is currently a favorite in this match-up with his line being -145 ($145 to win $100), while dos Anjos is the underdog, with his line being +135 ($100 to win $135) at Several Bookmakerss. Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone (20-5-1 MMA, 7-2 UFC) returns to the Octagon with a step up in competition after dominating KJ Noons for three rounds at UFC 160. It was a very impressive performance and a great way to bounce back from the first round knockout he suffered against Anthony Pettis at UFC on FOX 6 in January. After the Pettis loss, Cowboy hired a sports psychologist who has helped him be a stronger fighter, mentally. I was happy to hear this news because I am a Donald Cerrone fan and acknowledge the fact that if it weren’t for his mental lapses, he would have a couple more W’s instead of L’s on his resume. Cerrone is a brilliant mixed martial artist. His stand up is excellent and he has incredible Muay Thai techniques. He throws hard punches and beautiful kicks. Cowboy is incredible on the mat, as well. His Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu game is top notch. He is a serious threat from both top and bottom positions. Cerrone loves to choke his opponents out; the triangle choke is his favorite submission to go for, so he definitely does not mind being on his back, as it gives him an opportunity to secure his favorite finish. Donald Cerrone has a great chin and his cardio is top notch, he can go fifteen minutes any time at the drop of a hat. Rafael dos Anjos (19-6 MMA, 8-4 UFC) returns to the Octagon for the thirteenth time, riding a four fight win streak, which could easily be a ten fight win streak if not for a controversial Split Decision loss to Gleison Tibau and a jaw injury KO loss to Clay Guida sandwiched between. dos Anjos really has been on a tear in the UFC’s lightweight division, especially on his current four fight win steak, in which he has looked very dominant and impressive. Well, aside from his very last fight against Evan Dunham, that is. Rafael dos Anjos won that bout via controversial Split Decision. I was backing dos Anjos in that match-up and had personally scored the fight for Dunham. That’s not to say that dos Anjos looked impressive and I still scored it against him. That’s the thing: he didn’t. I don’t think dos Anjos showed up to his fight against Dunham. He skated by and got very lucky with the judges. I don’t know where his head is currently, perhaps he needs to sit down with Cerrone’s sports psychologist. Much like Cowboy, dos Anjos is very talented, all around. He has recently begun to hone his striking skills, but he’s been a solid BJJ player since first stepping foot in the Octagon. His grappling is just fantastic; he has great submissions and makes beautiful transitions. Rafael dos Anjos is excellent in grappling and submissions, he is technically skilled on the feet, and he possesses great cardio. If he shows up completely focused and hungry to win, he could be trouble for the Cowboy. Fight Prediction: Cerrone badly wants another shot at a Championship and dos Anjos badly wants his first. Cerrone and dos Anjos are both excellent grapplers and submission artists, so I think they cancel each other out in those regards. If I had to give an submission advantage, I would give it to dos Anjos, as I believe his submission defense is better. dos Anjos is a good striker and is always improving but Cerrone is light-years ahead of him on the feet. If dos Anjos chooses to stand for fifteen minutes, it could prove to be dangerous. I think no matter where the fight goes, Cerrone will end up getting the best of the exchanges. The more it stays on the feet, the more it will be in his world. There is no doubt that dos Anjos has a good chin, but I could see Cerrone putting him away. But, more often than not, I see him beating dos Anjos up for a good portion of fifteen minutes to secure a Decision victory. Gabe’s Pick: Donald Cerrone by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) Gabe’s Recommended Play:Donald Cerrone -145
