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Another massive fight could be headed for the already loaded UFC on FOX 5 card scheduled for December 8th. According to Vigilante MMA, Donald Cerrone and Anthony Pettis will finally meet in a heavily anticipated fight between the former WEC stars, and it will be for the #1 contender slot in the ever-crowded 155 lbs division.
We’ve heard rumors and speculation, but a source has just confirmed to VigilanteMMA that Donald Cerrone and Anthony Pettis will be added to UFC on Fox 5—and it will be a number one contender’s fight. Not only is this event shaping up to be one huge show, but the added stipulation should create quite a buzz for the latest fight being added to the card.
We’ve also learned that the contract is now in the hands of Pettis for final approval. Although he apparently hasn’t signed it yet, Cerrone has already started pressuring Pettis to do so in quick fashion.
Obviously this is only a report and Vigilante MMA is the only leading source of this story, but if true, it would be a fantastic addition to the FOX main card. The UFC has already confirmed the Lightweight Championship between Ben Henderson and Nate Diaz as their main event, with B.J. Penn vs. Rory MacDonald and Mauricio Rua vs. Alexander Gustafsson as its supporting cast. A Cerrone vs. Pettis #1 contender fight would make this possibly one of the greatest free cards in MMA history, and the exact type of card that UFC fans have been clamoring for since the FOX deal began in 2012.
Cerrone (19-4 MMA) has been sensational since joining the UFC, compiling a 6-1 record with 6 fight bonuses (3 FOTN, 2 KOTN, and 1 SOTN). His latest win was a dramatic KO of his former teammate and good friend Melvin Guillard at UFC 150. "Cowboy" however did lose to challenger Nate Diaz last December and has twice lost to Ben Henderson for the WEC Lightweight Championship.
Pettis (15-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) was originally promised a title shot as WEC champion with his win over Henderson, but Frankie Edgar's draw with Gray Maynard destroyed those plans. He lost to Clay Guida in his UFC debut but has since rebounded with a win over Jeremy Stephens and a spectacular head kick KO against Joe Lauzon at UFC 144 in Japan.
Both men have great kickboxing skills and excellent submissions so this has potential to be an all-time classic on what is shaping up to be a sensational card.
UPDATE: UFC President Dana White has shot this rumor down. (Via MMAJunkie)
"So [expletive] far from being the truth," UFC President Dana White told MMAjunkie.com.
White declined to reveal when the promotion is targeting the much-discussed lightweight matchup but made it clear that an initial report released earlier today tying the two to UFC on FOX 5 is completely untrue.
UPDATE #2: Ariel Helwani further shoots down the rumors.
RE: Pettis vs. Cerrone on FOX 5, Pettis' manager
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 16, 2012@mikemmainc says that date has never been discussed. The fight has, but not that date.
And as of yesterday afternoon,
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 16, 2012@danawhite told me FOX 5's location and 4th main card fight has yet to be finalized.
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