With UFC 202 right around the corner its easy to get sucked in to all the discussion of the main event which pits Connor McGregor against Nate Diaz in a rematch of their UFC 196 match where Diaz submitted McGregor in the second round. However, there is that one fight that is considered to be the “Hidden Gem”, a fight that could steal the whole night and take home Fight of the Night honors.
Story vs. Cerrone Preview: UFC 202’s Hidden Gem
That fight is the third fight of the main card and it pits welterweights Rick “The Horror” Story against welterweight newcomer Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.
Rick Story
Story (19-8 MMA) comes in winner of four of his last five fights. The only slip up in that streak is a split decision loss to Kelvin Gastelum. Story is considered one of the most well rounded fighters due to his ability to not only finish the fight on the ground, but on the feet as well, he also has shown repeatedly that he can go the distance and continually get better in each round.
Throughout Story’s career, he has eleven decisions, four KO/TKOs and four submissions. His veteran ability to keep moving and continually get more accurate in his striking as the rounds go on will certainly be something useful against a guy like Cerrone.
The Cowboy
Cerrone (30-7-1 MMA) is fighting for the third time since making the jump to welterweight as he looks to keep his two fight win streak going. He submitted Alex Oliveira in his welterweight debut and then followed that up with a third round TKO of Patrick Cote earlier this year. Cerrone overall has won ten of his last eleven fights. His only loss coming in a championship fight to former lightweight champion, Rafael Dos Anjos.
Cerrone is known as one of the best all around fighters thanks to his ability to pick people apart with his timely leg kicks as well as his underrated ground game. Of Cerrone’s 30 wins, 16 have come by way of submission.
This fight certainly has the potential to be a three round war. Look for Cerrone to try and keep the distance in this fight and use his powerful striking and fantastic level changes to score takedowns. On the other hand look for Story to try and push the pace a little bit. It has been shown, as we saw in the fight vs Dos Anjos, Cerrone can get a little sloppy when the pace is pushed.
This fight takes place on main card of UFC 202 and should be anything but boring. Look for a great stand-up war and some very tactical ground game work.
ORLANDO, FL – APRIL 17: Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone interacts with media during the FOX UFC Saturday pre-fight press conference at Shaquille O’Neal’s estate on April 17, 2014 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
