Donald Cerrone was on a rough run when he faced Mike Perry in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 139. Cerrone, who had moved to welterweight after a failed bid to win the lightweight title in 2015, was on the worst run of his career heading into his November matchup against Perry. Cerrone’s record, dating back to January 2017, was 1-4. Perry was coming off a July split-decision win over Paul Felder.
Despite his tough stretch of fights, Cerrone entered the contest as the No. 12 ranked fighter in the official UFC welterweight rankings. Perry, who was on a 1-3 run himself, was unranked. When the fight began, Perry was a -220 favorite over Cerrone, who entered the octagon as the +140 underdog.
Fans were rightfully expecting a slugfest when the cage door locked behind the two fighters who briefly trained together at the famed Jackson Wink MMA gym. They did not get that, but what they did get was a reminder that Cerrone is not a fighter you want to take to the mat if you aren’t a strong fighter on the ground.
Cerrone submitted Perry at the 4:46 mark of the first round. The win was Cerrone’s first stoppage victory since he knocked out Matt Brown in December 2016.
Cerrone moves back to lightweight on Saturday when he faces Alexander Hernandez at UFC on ESPN+ 1. The fight card takes place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Before that fight takes place, you can watch Cerrone’s win over Perry right here.
