UFC News: Donald Cerrone vs. KJ Noons Added to UFC 160 in May

By John Heinis on February 20, 2013

Fans can look to a lightweight slugfest this May when Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone takes on former Strikeforce title challenger KJ Noons. UFC Tonight first reported the bout Tuesday evening.

Cerrone looks to bounce back after a quick, embarrassing TKO loss to Anthony Pettis at UFC on FOX 6 last month, snapping a two-fight winning streak.

Cerrone, a former WEC lightweight champ, boasts a 6-2 record inside the Octagon, but has lost against the top five opponents in the form of Nate Diaz and Pettis. A win over either fighter would have all but guaranteed him a title shot.

Meanwhile, Noons is only 1-4 in his past five fights, though many pundits felt he was robbed in a split decision loss to Ryan Couture at the final Strikeforce event last month.

Despite a rough stretch that includes losses to Nick Diaz, Jorge Masvidal and Josh Thompson, Noons is a former EliteXC lightweight title holder, defeating the elder Diaz brother in their first meeting in Nov. 2007.

Noons is also a former professional boxer and kickboxer, a good reason why he prefers to stand and trade with his opponents.

UFC 160 takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 25, with a heavyweight title bout between Cain Velasquez and Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva headlining the event.

The card also features a key heavyweight match up between Alistair Overeem and Junior dos Santos, as well as a welterweight scrap between Amir Sadollah and Stephen Thompson.