Former WEC Lightweight contender and current UFC lightweight star Donald Cerrone put on a striking clinic at UFC 131, defeating Vagner Rocha via unanimous decision.
“Cowboy” was prepared for Rocha’s grappling, stuffing all of his takedowns and punishing him with brutal leg kicks.
“My wrestling has gotten better and better thanks to Greg Jackson and all of the wrestlers down there,” Cerrone told the UFC Press. “I’m working with guys like Clay Guida, Melvin Guillard and the Vanier brothers every day.”
Cerrone controlled the entire match, forcing Rocha to stand and trade. Rocha ate almost all of “Cowboy’s” leg kicks, resorting to desperation shots and guard pulls that failed in the third round.
“That was just a bad fight for me,” Rocha said. “It wasn’t what I had planned at all. I was really frustrated that he was able to defend the takedowns that well and it threw my game plan completely off.”
Although decisively beating Rocha down with powerful leg kicks set up with some heavy hands, Cerrone wasn’t entirely happy with the win.
“I’m disappointed that I didn’t get the chance to finish him. After the first round, I could tell the leg kicks started bothering him. I just didn’t let my hands go after negating the takedown,” he said.
“I’m happy with the win, but you know I always want to put on exciting fights.”
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