A lightweight bout between former division title challenger Donald Cerrone and surging contender Alexander Hernandez headlines tonight’s UFC on ESPN+ 1 prelims.
Donald Cerrone was last seen in action in the promotions welterweight division where he earned a submission victory over Mike Perry this past November.
“Cowboy” has gone 2-4 over his past six fights overall.
Meanwhile, Alexander Hernandez has gone a perfect 2-0 since joining the UFC ranks in March of last year. “The Great” is coming off a decision win over Oliver Aubin-Mercier in his most recent effort at UFC Calgary.
Round one begins and Alexander Hernandez starts off quickly with a left hand. He is using a lot of pressure here early. He lands another big punch. Donald Cerrone backs up and then shoots in and scores a takedown. Hernandez gets back up but is slammed back down to the floor. Another scramble and Alexander is back to his feet. The fighters clinch and Hernandez lands a knee. Cerrone returns fire with one of his own. The fighters break and Cerrone lands a stiff jab. He follows that up with a right hand. Hernandez continues to utilize a lot of pressure. He lands a jab to the body of “Cowboy” followed by a low kick. Cerrone circles and then fires off a right hand. Hernandez with a good right but Cerrone counters with a crisp combination. Alexander leaps into the pocket with a knee. Cerrone clinches up and the fighters trade knees. They break and Cerrone lands a head kick. He follows that up with a combination. Hernandez is bleeding now. Cerrone with another right hand. He lands a left. Hernandez is busted up. Donald with a leaping left followed by a right hand. “The Great” shoots in but Cerrone lands a left hand and then a knee to the body. Another knee from the veteran. Cerrone with a front kick followed by a left hand. Hernandez with a left hand but eats a head kick. The horn sounds to end Round 1.
Round two begins and Hernandez once again starts off quickly. He throws a combination and then presses Cerrone up against the cage. Donald breaks free and takes the center of the octagon. Alexander with a jab to the body but Cerrone counters with a left hand. Cerrone with a big knee and then an elbow. He charges forward with a flurry. Hernandez circles out but Cerrone stays on him and lands a hard kick to the body. He follows that up with a right hand. Hernandez returns fire with a pair of shots to the body. He lands a left hand. Cerrone tries to clinch. He lands a knee and then another. The fighters clinch and exchange knees. Cerrone with a nice elbow over the top. Two minutes remain in round two. Cerrone with a jab. He lands a nice counter left hook to the chin of Hernandez. Alexander circles but eats a head kick. He goes down. Cerrone with ground and pound. The referee has seen enough. This one is over!