Lightweight Fireworks! Keys to Victory For Dos Anjos vs. Cerrone II

While the mixed martial arts (MMA) world catches its breath following UFC 194’s historic affair, UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos is gearing up to defend his title for the first time this Saturday at UFC on FOX 17.

His opponent, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, is one of the most dangerous title threats around. With exceptional kickboxing, world-class submissions, and a tenacious ability to go for the kill, Cerrone represents a true test for the new 155-pound king.

These two elite lightweights have met once before back at UFC Fight Night 27, which saw dos Anjos capture a unanimous decision victory. That was the last time Cerrone has lost inside of the Octagon, tallying eight in a row as his Brazilian counterpart worked his way towards a championship upset over Anthony Pettis at UFC 185.

Needless to say, their anticipated clash this Saturday in Orlando, Florida, should be sure to deliver fireworks. A victory for either man will not only be rewarded with the lightweight strap, but essentially book them for a big payday opposite UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor, who has made it known that he’s moving up to 155 at some point in 2016.

Here are keys to victory for both lightweight dynamos as we prepare to close out the year.

Cerrone’s Main Goal: Land Early

As arguably one of the most well-rounded strikers in the 155-pound division, Cerrone has mastered the ability to land crippling blows to his opponents.

From stifling jabs to beautifully timed body kicks, the former professional kickboxer is a handful for anyone on the feet.

But despite his unique patterns, powerful combinations, and dangerous length, Cerrone is known to start on the slow side. This plays in tune with his need to establish range, find the most effective rhythm, and calculate his impending attacks.

While the 32-year-old has made strides of late in finding openings earlier in the first round, he’s going to have to ramp up his efforts against a menacing fireball like dos Anjos. Offering a relentless gas tank, penetrating takedowns, and unbelievable strength, RDA must be put in trouble early in order to sap his latter round effectiveness.

RDA’s First Focus: Pressure & Pace:

Dos Anjos simply redefined himself opposite Anthony Pettis by pressuring the former champion, taking away his lifelines from the opening bell, and making him fight dirty.

Besides taking “Showtime” down an alarming nine times, the Brazilian did an outstanding job at pushing the flashy striker up against the cage and making him defend instead of create. As a result, RDA’s pressure and pace dethroned a titleholder expected to reign for years.

While Cerrone is a more willing candidate to exchange in close quarters than Pettis is, his offensive approach offers a similar level of patience and calculated timing. That’s why the champion must take a partial blueprint from his last title fight, implement it to Cerrone’s technique, and attempt to grind the Colorado native down to powder.

Not to mention an effective clinch game will prohibit Cerrone from channeling his long-range offense and subtle reach advantage.

Cerrone Should Embrace His Ground Game:

Cerrone is such a confident and polarizing striker that his ground game often gets vastly overlooked.

With 15 career wins by way of submission, including an abundant amount of rear naked chokes, “Cowboy” is capable of tapping any lightweight fighter in the world. His elite output on the feet just happens to outshine his grappling.

If RDA has his way in this fight, Cerrone will be on his back more than once. And considering the champion was able to get inside and dump a more athletic Pettis on his head, he’ll most likely secure a few takedowns along the way.

Now while dos Anjos has never been submitted and trains alongside the likes of UFC heavyweight king Fabricio Werdum, he leaves himself open when he’s firing away in top position. If Cerrone allows his opportunistic bottom game to take form, RDA may find himself defending a dangerous arm bar attempt.

It isn’t Cerrone’s most readily available option to win this fight, but his dexterity, length, timing, technical transitions, and killer instinct should fuel his effectiveness on the ground and provide him with a solution to turmoil.

Dos Anjos Will Need To Use His Power:

Few fighters have evolved over the past few years quite like dos Anjos.

The newly crowned lightweight king has not only found much success in pressuring opponents with his wrestling and ground-and-pound, but he has also discovered his innate punching power.

Many fighters before RDA have gone a good portion of their careers before figuring out how to knock an opponent out. Chad Mendes is the perfect example.

Cerrone is probably the last fighter in the division you would ever expect to see laid out from one shot, but dos Anjos did catch “Cowboy” will a flush right hand in their first meeting that temporarily skewed the striker’s equilibrium.

If the champion can land a few good shots this time around, he should be able to slow Cerrone’s approach, make him second guess his own gameplan, and put doubt in a fighter’s mind who has never been finished by punches.