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It looks like the Lightweight fight between Donald Cerrone and Anthony Pettis is turning into 2012's Jorge Rivera vs. Alessio Sakara. The Middleweights were originally scheduled to meet at UFC 118 before Rivera was forced to withdrawal with a broken arm. Then again they were matched for UFC 122 but Sakara pulled out just hours before the match due to sickness. One last time they were paired at UFC 133. When Sakara was injured for that bout as well, the UFC just quit trying. Now the same seems to be happening to Pettis and Cerrone.
MMA Junkie caught Cowboy's reaction to the recent news of Showtime's staph infection:
That's the No. 1 contendership, so of course that means something. That's the ultimate goal to get that title, chase that dream. So it makes sense. Does waiting on him make sense? I don't know. We were supposed to go for Denver. No. OK, we'll be ready in December. January. Now February? March? I understand the guy is hurt, but I've got bills to pay, too.
Now, Cerrone has to balance the pros and cons of foregoing a possible contenders fight with Pettis against picking up a pay day while he waits. Throughout 2011, Cerrone showed he's more than willing to take short notice fights when he competed an incredible 5 times during the year with only a single loss. So, it's possible that he jumps in if the injury bug decides to strike the Lightweight division in the near future.
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