Conor McGregor Favored Over Donald Cerrone in Potential Fight
- Conor McGregor’s next fight could be against Donald Cerrone
- Will McGregor be cleared by the Nevada Athletic Commission after the UFC 229 brawl?
- Will this eagerly anticipated fight ever see the light of day?
Cowboy Cerrone wants to get paid!
The 35-year-old has been one of the most active and reliable fighters in UFC history, and has become a fan favorite since signing in 2011. He holds the UFC record for most wins, most finishes, and most Performance of the Night awards. Now he wants a shot at the pay-per-view king of MMA.
After submitting former teammate Mike Perry last month at UFC Fight Night 139, Cerrone wasted no time in calling out Conor McGregor. Cowboy is leaving the welterweight division to return to 155 pounds, where Notorious resides. But first, he’s slated to face the rising Alexander Hernandez in January.
Dana White has already shot down rumors of Notorious vs Cowboy, and McGregor is still awaiting a verdict from the Nevada Athletic Commission after the UFC 229 brawl. So this fight is anything but made. It’s makes sense, though. After his crushing loss to lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor needs a respectable but beatable next opponent. Cowboy is exactly that.
Conor McGregor vs Donald Cerrone Odds
| FIghter | Conor McGregor vs Donald Cerrone Fight Odds |
|---|---|
| Conor McGregor | -185 |
| Donald Cerrone | +150 |
It’s no surprise that Conor McGregor (21-4) opened as the betting favorite. Donald Cerrone (34-11) has earned a cult following with his exciting fighting style and magnetic personality, but he’s always been a notch below the very best. Especially now, at 35 years old with a ton of mileage, he’ll struggle against any elite opponent.
If this fight is booked, many will consider it a tune-up fight for McGregor.
If this fight is booked, many will consider it a tune-up fight for McGregor. The former two-division champ saw his stock dip following his one-sided loss to Khabib in October. A consecutive loss could greatly diminish his future earning potential and could even spell the end of his fighting career.
A fight against Cerrone would not pull in the numbers we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from McGregor. But it’s a relatively safe fight. Cerrone hasn’t fought at lightweight since 2015 and has only won two of his last six fights. He’s developing into something of a gatekeeper at the UFC, someone who can challenge and grant exposure to the young newcomers.
McGregor vs Cerrone Tale of the Tape
| 21-4 | PRO RECORD | 34-11 (1 NC) |
| 8-2 | UFC RECORD | 21-8 |
| 5 ft 9 in | HEIGHT | 6 ft 1 in |
| 74 in | REACH | 73 in |
| 30 | AGE | 35 |
| October 6, 2018 | LAST FIGHT | November 10, 2018 |
Cerrone’s “anyone, anywhere, anytime” approach to fighting is a dying mentality in MMA. The younger fighters are far more cautious and savvy when picking their fights. The UFC have counted on him to take fights on short notice and hop onto card that would have otherwise flopped. A fight against McGregor — win or lose — would be the perfect way to end a storied career and a fitting send off for a fighter who has given the UFC his all.
Cerrone’s “anyone, anywhere, anytime” approach to fighting is a dying mentality in MMA.
McGregor’s kryptonite is his ground game, and if Cowboy is to win, it’ll be via another submission. Cerrone is a competent grappler with six submission victories in the UFC. His most recent fight, against Mike Perry, ended with an armbar in the first round.
But at these odds, it’s hard to turn down McGregor. His takedown defense is one of the most overlooked elements of his game, and his left hand should make Cerrone hesitant to shoot takedowns. In all likelihood, McGregor keeps Cerrone on his feet and pieces him apart.
Pick: Conor McGregor (-185)
Don Aguero is a man of many talents, writing about nearly anything you can put odds to. Don has been writing for SportsBettingDime since 2015, covering sports, entertainment and politics. You name it, he's covered it! He is also a steadfast West Ham fan, and has learned to embrace that suffering.
