Donald Cerrone entered UFC 202 with a 2-0 record at welterweight. Standing in the way of a 3-0 start was Rick Story, #9 in the UFC's official welterweight rankings. On paper, this fight was a contrast in styles, with Cerrone's kickboxing and submissions going up against Story's dirty boxing and wrestling.
Big swings right away from both men to kick off round 1. Story comes up short with the left. Cerrone ducks underneath a punch and takes Story down. Not much is accomplished there and Story gets Cerrone up against the fence. Story with the takedown and immediately goes for a submission. Switches from an omoplata to a triangle and then an armbar. Story escapes and goes to side control and now takes Cerrone's back. Story with a knee to Cerrone's notoriously susceptible body. Cerrone is back up. Leg kick on the inside by Story. Beautiful step-in knee by Cerrone. Cowboy pushing the front kick to the body. Left hand and then an outside leg kick by Cerrone in a very active opening round. Good forward pressure and punches by Cerrone that back Story up. Another body kick by Cowboy and an outside leg kick. Combination by Cerrone. Story with a kick of his own close to the end of an exciting 1st round.
Cerrone is looking sharp at range and tagging Story with hard knees to the body to start round 2. Story looks really frustrated at range. Big right hand by Cerrone. Another body kick. Outside leg kick by Cowboy. Story with a kick to the thigh of Cerrone. Cerrone fakes the jab and gets a leg kick to land again. Huge knee to the body by Cerrone. Another leg kick. Body shot and a head kick wobbles Story. Cerrone swarms Story and finishes the fight spectacularly. That's the first time Rick Story has ever been finished by strikes.
Official result: Donald Cerrone def. Rick Story via TKO (punches) at 2:02 of round 2