UFC 137 Results: Donald Cerrone's Destruction of Dennis Siver Vaults Him Into Relevancy
by Leland Roling on Oct 30, 2011 3:00 PM EDT
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For most fans, WEC champion Anthony Pettis and the final challenger to his crown, Ben Henderson, were the only two fighters who might have an eventual impact at the elite levels of the UFC's lightweight division after the two promotions merged in December. They were obvious choices due to their status within the promotion's lightweight ranks, and a showdown between the two fighters at WEC 53 that became a fight of the year candidate only furthered the focus. In hindsight, we might have forgotten someone.
Donald Cerrone, who fought for the WEC lightweight crown three times and failed, wasn't thought of as a man who could become a relevant fighter in the UFC. His aggressive and entertaining style of fighting would almost certainly pit him against beatable opponents for fan-friendly action, but questions still arose about whether he could ever compete against the better competition that awaited him. Those same questions were asked about Ben Henderson and Anthony Pettis, so why would anyone think Cerrone could have an impact when he couldn't sneak past Henderson on two separate occasions?
Almost a year later, our assumptions couldn't be further from reality. Henderson, while playing second fiddle to Pettis at the end of the WEC's existence, has become the promotion's top import while Pettis faltered in his debut. And Cerrone? He's been quietly and efficiently dispatching of every fighter the UFC has put in front of him, stringing together four straight wins in 2011.
Saturday night's performance at UFC 137 was icing on the cake for Cerrone. After beating up Paul Kelly, Vagner Rocha, and Charles Oliveira, he was finally given a challenge that fans felt was appropriate. The match-up had many of us questioning whether Cerrone could prevail. Unlike his WEC counterparts who were thrown tough opposition from the start, Cerrone was allowed to mature over the course of the year. That slowed progression has allowed Cerrone to develop his game, a more mature style than what we've seen from him in the past.
Impressively, Cerrone dominated Siver at his own game, landing multiple head kicks that caused Siver to put on his best dance routine in front of the fans at the Mandalay Events Center on Saturday night. Siver, who's well known for his powerful punching and unpredictable kicking prowess, couldn't answer, eventually succumbing to Cerrone's grips on the ground.
The victory puts Cerrone is a surprising position. He's gone from failing to win the WEC lightweight crown to sitting on the outside looking in at UFC lightweight contention in just a year. Even more impressive is Cerrone's focus and dramatic shift in his mentality. While he remains a fighter fueled by emotion outside of the cage, it couldn't be further from the truth inside the cage. The massive improvements he's made make a run toward the top a possibility next year. Is it possible we'll hear Donald Cerrone's name involved in contention next year? I think we will.
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WEC NEVER DIE!
I’m so happy he’s doing well. I remember when people in the media were saying all the WEC LWs sucked and crap. Pettis is kinda plateauing(sadly), but Bendo is a win away from a title shot and Cowboy is about 2 fights away.
"I remember when people in the media were saying all the WEC LWs sucked and crap."
Yeah, they meant to say most of the WEC LWs suck and are crap.
Subtract Cerrone, Pettis, and Bendo then you have Shane Roller (1-2 in the UFC), Jamie Varner (didn’t make the merger), Danny Castillo (1-1), Chris Horodecki (didn’t make the merger), Maciej Jewtuszko (0-1 and cut), Anthony Njokuani (1-1 but would lose to any wrestler), Edward Faalaoto (0-1), and others like Ricardo Lamas who chose to drop to 145.
I respect your opinion even though it's wrong.
That doesn't prove your point that much. The fact still remains that most of the names
you said are doing well. Anthony hasn’t fought a wrestler, so that’s a mute point. Faala only has ONE loss, Shane Roller was 1-1 before losing a controversial verbal tap to TJ Grant in a recent grappling match of the year. Horodecki is doing well I hear, and he learned a lot from the late Shawn Thompson(sp?), regardless the WEC LW’s are doing fine.
by Tairy Hesticles on Oct 30, 2011 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Faala is 0-1 and will be 0-2 when Etim smashes him. And Njokuani already knocked him out so he'd be 0-3 in the WEC/UFC.
Roller was well on his way to a decision loss and was getting his ass kicked by Tavares before the vicious KO.
Horodecki is doing well on the regional circuit but he’s not UFC caliber. He was barely WEC caliber.
The mid-level WEC guys are struggling to beat the likes of Curt Warburton, Michael Johnson, Jacob Volkmann, etc.
I respect your opinion even though it's wrong.
They meant what they said.
It was all over the place. Tons of people said Cerrone, Bendo and Pettis wouldn’t be able to compete with the UFC lightweights. It is so refreshing to watch how well they are doing.
Way to change the goal posts
Typically the argument was ALL of the WEC lightweights didn’t deserve to in the ufc. People would use Varner being a washout to discount the skills of Bendo and Cowboy. I think in hindsight it is pretty fair to say the WEC LW division was pretty good. 3 fighters competitive in the top 10, and a few others competitive on the undercard level.
I don’t think anyone can argue now that the namestays of WEC LWs deserved to be merged into the UFC.
by RoB_ex on Oct 30, 2011 4:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Isn't it kind of a stretch as far as proving your point to say
“Exlcuding the 3 best guys, most of everyone else isn’t doing that great”
As far as I’m concerned, 1-1 isn’t bad, not great, but not bad considering most people just expected the WEC guys to washout pretty fast.
Most people in general weren’t selling Castillo or Roller as potential top dogs…just like there are plenty of guys in the UFC LW division that I wouldn’t try to sell as a top 10-15 fighter…
But Njokuani could very well be 2-1 this coming saturday, Cerrone is 4-0, Bendo is 2-0, Pettis is 1-1, Palazewski was a WEC lightweight and just KO’d a UFC LW in a 145 lbd bout…that should be worth something.
I mean, it seems to me that the guys who were near the top are being successful while the guys who were sort of middle of the road are STILL middle of the road.
PACIFIC RIM
in theaters
May 10th, 2013
by Chris Groves on Oct 30, 2011 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well of course all of the WEC LWs didn't belong in the UFC
Just like all of the UFC LWs don’t belong in the UFC. I, and others, contended that the top tier were good enough to fight in the UFC just like the fighters who were in it and came from smaller promotions. The only real surprise is Njokuani, Bendo was EXTREMELY underrated by much of the media.
I cave
Siver isn’t nearly as good as people think he is, but Cerrone definitely is a killer in there. Very impressive performance.
I think he should fight Lauzon in the greatest 4 minute fight in history.
I respect your opinion even though it's wrong.
This.
Siver is not very good. Cerrone’s improvement has been unbelievable though.
KEMvP
"You know Joe, if Keith Jardines last name was Johnson, the nickname 'The Dean of Mean' wouldn't work at all."
Siver IS very good. Donald Cerrone is just better.
by Worldisart on Oct 30, 2011 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 8 recs
Siver is very good, it takes a very good fighter to beat G-Sot at the time everyone and their moms were calling for him to get a title shot.
It seems people are getting into a habit of downplaying a fighter as soon as he loses ONE fight against top competition. There are more than 10 elite fighters in the damn division stop acting like everyone ranked 11 and under are cans.
G-Sot, Jim Miller, Melvin Guillard, and Dennis Siver were all at one point being highly praised and hyped up for months to get their title shot. The moment any of them lose, they automatically become overrated and the fighters that beat them get discredited since they didn’t be a “real” elite fighter. The truth is they are all elite fighters, and the division they fight in is the most competitive in the UFC. It shouldn’t be too shocking if everyone in the current top 10 takes a loss at some point in the next 12 months.
by amendamatrix on Oct 30, 2011 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions
they didn’t beat a “real” elite fighter.
by amendamatrix on Oct 30, 2011 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Who has Siver beaten other than Sot?
I scored his Wiman fight for Wiman, and after that, it’s a lot of guys that aren’t in the UFC anymore.
KEMvP
"You know Joe, if Keith Jardines last name was Johnson, the nickname 'The Dean of Mean' wouldn't work at all."
He may of also hit his celing
Guida’s a teammate and Bendo has two W’s over him.
http://unintelligentdefense.blogspot.com
Good Fight
Let’s do that
http://unintelligentdefense.blogspot.com
by MattParker117 on Oct 30, 2011 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I like Cerrone.
It’s so very shameful, but I do.
Everybody has a heart. Except some people. - Bette Davis
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I like his fighting style
but I always want him to lose. I say Lauzon vs Cerrone next. Pettis vs Gullard.
"What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease."
i used to feel that
but he’s too good and too cool to cheer against. he’s gotten even more technical and more complete with his game, and i can’t hate on that.
"The Glen Rice scandal is way out of line w/ the GOP's values. They're interested in fucking black people by the millions, not one at a time"
by Victor Rodriguez on Oct 30, 2011 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Never a dull moment with Cerrone
I watched last nights card with a couple of newbies to MMA, and i can tell you that he made some new fans for sure. I figured that his fight with Siver would show how he would handle a pretty accomplished striker, but then he just annihilated him in no time at all. Opened my eyes a lot to him, tho i’ve always held a high opinion of the top 3 WEC lightweights. Im curious to see how he handles a quality wrestler such as Maynard or a stand up with with someone like Guillard or Pettis. Either way, I just want to be a cowboy, baybaay
I'll be the first to say I can't stand anything other than Cerrone's fighting style
which is why I want him to lose. Hopefully they throw him against a power puncher or smothering wrestler for his next fight.
That's the boat I'm on.
His style’s really exciting but I watch him to see him lose.
"lulz" - ProfessorBLove
He's the lightweight Jon Jones.
"So even though it’s the gayest sport ever, MMA is still the best sport ever. I love my gay sport." - Wrestling Uber Alles
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by alicks on Oct 30, 2011 9:42 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
NO SMOTHERING WRESTLER
My heart feels pain when an exciting talent is ground out by lnp
by Cunny on Oct 30, 2011 7:04 PM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions
I say nate diaz vs cowboy next and we keep our fingers crossed that this happens
"So what we get drunk So what we smoke weed We’re just having fun We don’t care who sees So what we go out That’s how its supposed to be Living young and wild and free."
I thought I was the only one who wanted Shonie to ref a UFC fight.
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Conductor and sole passenger on the Fitch bandwagon.
by Zachary Kater on Oct 30, 2011 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Cerrone needs to fight a wrestler, I know the UFC doesnt like to put winner vs loser fights together, but a fight against Maynard would let us really see were Cerrone stands.
Even Cerrone vs Florini
Twitter: @ProfessorBLove
MMA Blog: NothingElseMMAtters.wordpress.com
Stop by and say hi lol
I think Cerrone vs. Maynard would be a great fight, but I doubt they book it...
Cerrone vs. TJ Grant might happen though.
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
----------------------------
I choose Snatch!
Zakree
----------------------------
K1 Level Predictions Team Cut Man
Cerrone already fought Ben Henderson
if you are saying he hasn’t been tested against someone with good wrestling
"Pain or damage don't end the world. Or despair or fucking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man... and give some back." -Swearengen
by AwkwardwithwordmakingisGoldberg,huhJoe on Oct 30, 2011 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Florini would be a hard fight for him
Haven’t heard much about Florini in a while though. Ahh Florini
Business as Usual has a STACKED team. I mean, we could win with just me, but you know.
by halitosis on Oct 30, 2011 10:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I am okay not seeing Maynard Fitch exciting potential title challengers.
This isn’t a situation where the champ will grind strikers to paste like GSP does at WW.
GO GET SOME DONALD CERRO-NE!
I loughed my ass off when Greg Jackson shouted.
I think he should fight Lauzon or Sam Stout but if they want to test him aganist a wrestler why not Gray Maynard.
It was a funny moment...until Goldie repeated it.
Sad for Siver, but damn…what a fight!
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
----------------------------
I choose Snatch!
Zakree
----------------------------
K1 Level Predictions Team Cut Man
Cerrone is relevant right now… People are going to jump on Siver now, but the guy was on a pretty good 4 fight win streak, and Cerrone just smashed him. I personally think the Bendo/Guida winner will get a title shot, so why not have Cerrone welcome Gilbert Melendez to the UFC.
If you look at the LW division right now, only 2 of the top 14 guys have a fight lined up (Bendo/Guida). Edgar, Maynard, Jim Miller, pettis, Diaz, Lauzon, Florian, Guillard, Siver, Dunham, and Wiman are all waiting for their next. Jermey Stephens, and Sam Stout are also waiting for fights, so it would be hard to not make a next great fight for Cerrone.
I really think Melendez would smash Cerrone.
Twitter: @ProfessorBLove
MMA Blog: NothingElseMMAtters.wordpress.com
Stop by and say hi lol
Really pumped to see Cerrone fight some contenders
I know Siver picked up some big wins, but I was never really convinced. I thought Wiman did enough to beat him. I think Cerrone can beat some dudes that we think are very good.
Read: Toblerone Jones
After all those fights in 2009 and 2010 with Cerrone, Bendo, and Pettis, I always thought it was really unfair to say these guys wouldn’t be able to make some noise in the UFC. Their fights were awesome in the WEC and their skills were evident from those fights. It was sweet seeing Bocek get dominated by Bendo after saying “blahblahblah these guys haven’t fought anyone.”
Don't want to rain on the parade
But I’m hardly convinced that Cerrone has what it takes at the upper echelon. Siver and Oliveira are strikers that give up length to Cerrone, great style match-ups, particularly considering Siver was over rated and Oliveira is a featherweight. Cowboy loses to any serious wrestler at 155. I’ll buy Cerrone is in contention if he beats someone like Dan Miller or Evan Dunham.
Head conductor of the Charles Oliveira hype train.
I'm in the same boat
Impressed but unconvinced.
Bendo proved his mettle by dominating Jim Miller but Cerrone hasn’t faced a strong wrestler yet. He’s certainly earned a fight against a top guy but I’d be happy for him to face Nate Diaz so we can get another fun fight.
Spinning with the Fishes for the 2011/2012 BE Civil War. IT'S ON!
by wonderfulspam on Oct 30, 2011 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions
He's currently on a 1 fight no dick kicking streak.
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
----------------------------
I choose Snatch!
Zakree
----------------------------
K1 Level Predictions Team Cut Man
Cerrone did a great job of putting Siver away.
Still not convinced he’s
by The Armchair Juggernaut on Oct 30, 2011 4:35 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Going to handle the top dogs but he’s earned a crack at one. Maynard would be a great fight to test him seeing as how he’s only lost to the champ. If they don’t want to go that route I would love to see him fight Lauzon. FOTY for sure.
by The Armchair Juggernaut on Oct 30, 2011 4:39 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The UFC has done a good job of keeping him away from wrestlers
But if he keeps winning, they’ll eventually have to put him against a wrestler & I don’t think he can compete against the top wrestlers in the division.
Cerrone is an awesome fighter, and a bit of a character
I can’t say I’d be friends with a dude like him who is always wearing a cowboy hat and etc….but damn, the dude is fun to listen to because of his huge amount of confidence and the sort of frank-ness with which he talks…and on top of that he is a frikkin killer in the cage.
Back to the whole ‘character’ thing…I think it’s good when those guys, whose personalities just set themselves aside from the pack…do very well. I think it’s important.
Some run of the mill dude with a good performance might get remembered, but guys like Cerrone, Nick Diaz, and Sonnen….those guys are not forgotten easily, and more often then not, they are the ones people get particularly excited to see.
UFC: Characters Welcome
PACIFIC RIM
in theaters
May 10th, 2013
For most fans, WEC champion Anthony Pettis and the final challenger to his crown, Ben Henderson, were the only two fighters who might have an eventual impact at the elite levels of the UFC’s lightweight division after the two promotions merged in December.
Apparently most fans pay way too much attention to W-L records, and hype. Fight performances say a lot. Cerrone was and is still that dude.
he was finally given a challenge that fans felt was appropriate. The match-up had many of us questioning whether Cerrone could prevail.
Paul Kelly is a solid fighter. As a solid Cerrone fanatic . . . I knew he could and will prevail. He’s been doing for quite a while. It’s not like he lost horribly in the WEC.
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So . . . Bernard Hopkins was stopped via single leg takedown?
Big Cowboy fan, love the way he fights and that he is willing to fight alot but lets chill out for a second.
He hasnt fought an elite LW yet in the UFC and hasnt fought a big time wrestler.
I need to see him get past a Maynard before I’m ready to say he can challenge for the UFC title.
I think a fight vs Diaz makes the most sense. That would be one hell of a fight, wow, him vs Nate, talk about a war.
Pettis vs Cowboy would be solid and even Barboza vs Cowboy would be good, Cowboy has earned a bigger fight though, Barboza isnt on that level yet.
But a fight vs Maynard, sherk, Jim Miller would be an interesting test. he wont fight Melvin or Guida so those guys are out.
Diaz or Jim Miller probably makes the most sense, thing is does fighting Diaz take him to the next level? Great fight but probably not.
Maynard would be the fight to really test him and see if he is ready for a possible title shot next year. Do you want to possibly kill off Cowboy for Maynard? Maynard just lost so you kill off Cowboy and have Maynard who wont be getting a shot anytime soon.
Depends if ur talking sport or business
As u yourself say in another thread, the challenger should be deserving. Given that Maynard is the appropriate test, cowboy should have to go thru him to get the shot. But if u do that u lose a cowboy title fight, quite likely, and the business that brings in. So are we gonna just give Maynard non-condensers? He’s too good for that.
On balance I say make cerrone prove himself against Maynard, then no one can say he fluked his way to a shot.
Just like no one generally has to go through Fitch to get to GSP,
there is no reason to have Maynard derail essentially every potential title contender…
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Death before dishonor, drinks before lunch.
Never send sheep to kill a wolf.
by The American Ronin on Oct 31, 2011 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions
One thing about Cerrone that shows his maturity is that he doesn’t look like that slow starter that he was in the WEC when he fights. He is on a good win streak, but I personally would like to see how well he does against a wrestler. His offensive wrestling has been improving, and his ground skills are top-notch, but I would still like to see how Cerrone does against a wrestler.
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