By Kyler Kuehler
UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cerrone II will air on December 19, 2015 in Orlando, Florida.
(C) RAFAEL DOS ANJOS (24-7-0) vs. #2 DONALD “COWBOY” CERRONE (28-6-0, 1 NC)
This is a five round main event for the UFC Lightweight Championship. In this fight are two fighters that have faced each other in the past in a regular three round fight with dos Anjos winning via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), but this time they are going five rounds for the UFC Lightweight Championship. Dos Anjos brings Muay Thai and jiu-jitsu that has helped him with a successful career and win the Lightweight Championship back in March at UFC 185. Cerrone brings kickboxing, Muay Thai and jiu-jitsu that have helped him make a successful career and become well equipped in submission techniques. Their first bout was a close fight, but this one does not look like it will be as close. If the fight were to remain on their feet then dos Anjos would most likely take the fight with ease with his aggressive striking power that he brings to all his fights. However, if Cerrone manages to take the fight to the ground then he could place dos Anjos in a world of serious trouble and claim the belt that he has long fought to hold. My prediction: Cerrone wins via submission in Round 5.
#2 JUNIOR “CIGANO” DOS SANTOS (17-3-0) vs. #9 ALISTAIR “THE REEM” OVEREEM (39-14-0, 1 NC)
This is a three round co-main event in the heavyweight division. In this fight are two fighters that have been under contract to fight each other twice before in the past, but both times were a fail when Overeem failed a drug test the first time and then pulled out from injury for the second. Dos Santos brings boxing and jiu-jitsu that has given him a successful career by making him the most deadliest striker in the heavyweight division of the UFC and also a former UFC Heavyweight Champion. Overeem brings kickboxing along with some ground game and submission techniques that has lead him to win many championships in other promotions and become successful in both knockout and submission victories. This fight looks like a great fight ready to happen, but what will probably be the downfall is Overeem’s chin not holding up to dos Santos’ knockout power making the fight more of a slaughter or quick finish rather than a fight. Though dos Santos did suffer two brutal beatings by the hands of the former two time Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez, which changed him completely and so Overeem just might take advantage of that and end up shocking the world by defeating the former Heavyweight Champion and thus earning himself the title shot he has longed for since entering the UFC. However, dos Santos does have a tough chin and even in his fight against Stipe Miocic he still held strong and showed everyone why he is not considered to be labeled as a normal human being, which will most likely be one of his biggest strengths heading into this fight. My prediction: dos Santos wins via knockout in Round 1.
#6 MICHAEL “THE MENACE” JOHNSON (17-9-0) vs. #15 NATE DIAZ (18-10-0)
This is a three round fight in lightweight division. In this fight are two fighters that are on opposite ends of the leader board in the UFC lightweight rankings and are looking to make a move up even further win another victory to claim under their belts. Johnson brings striking and wrestling that helped him become successful in knockouts and cardio as most of his victories came from knockout and decision. Diaz brings boxing and jiu-jitsu that has helped him become deadly with submissions and a little of some knockout power. The fight seems to be a matchup of both a striker and a grappler, which to most people is not considered a great matchup. Though both fighters have a good ground game; if the fight stays on their feet then Johnson has the advantage with his striking power that Diaz has never faced before and might not be able to withstand. However, if Diaz takes the fight to the ground then he could make most of Johnson’s style almost useless and find a way to submit him thus defeating a top ranked fighter in the lightweight division. My prediction: Johnson wins via knockout in Round 3.
