Two high-octane lightweights are going toe-to-toe in the Octagon late this summer.
Donald Cerrone is set to take on Rafael dos Anjos at UFC on FOX Sports 1: 2 in Indianapolis, Indiana on August 28. The bout will serve as the card’s co-main event.
Cerrone, a former WEC lightweight champ, boasts a solid 7-2 record inside the Octagon, though has come up short in title eliminator bouts against both Nate Diaz and Anthony Pettis.
“Cowboy” recently bounced back from his quick TKO loss to Pettis by handing a brutal, bloody three-round beatdown to Strikeforce import KJ Noons at UFC 160 last month.
Meanwhile, dos Anjos has quietly compiled a four-fight win streak, though his stock actually dropped with his win over Evan Dunham at UFC on FX 8 since fans almost unanimously believed Dunham deserved the nod the judges.
Despite an 8-4 record under the UFC banner, the Brazilian still lacks a win over a big name that would lead him to title contention. A victory over Cerrone would certainly put him in elite company.
According to the UFC’s official lightweight rankings, Cerrone is sixth best 155-pounder in the world, while dos Anjos weighs in at number 10.
The winner of the bout could arguably be one victory away from a title shot against current divisional champ Benson Henderson, who next defends the strap against TJ Grant at UFC 164.
As eDraft reported, the event will be headlined by a pivotal welterweight scrap between Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann.