UFC on ESPN+ 9: Cowboy Cerrone strolls with convincing decision win over Al Iaquinta
“Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (36-11-0) strolled out of Ottawa with a unanimous decision win over Al Iaquinta (14-5-1) in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 9 last night at the Canadian Tire Center.
Cerrone used a variety of strikes to pile up the points, including knockdowns of Iaquinta in the fourth and fifth rounds. Iaquinta, as expected, displayed his toughness, eating the strikes and landing a few of his own that kept Cerrone honest. But by the end of the fourth round, he was bloodied and it was clear he needed a finish going into the final round.
The judges scored it 49-45 49-45, and 49-46.
Cemented in history.@CowboyCerrone #UFCOttawa pic.twitter.com/wp2KWIfs85
— UFC (@ufc) May 5, 2019
In the post fight interview, Cerrone called out Conor McGregor, hoping for a July fight with the Irish superstar. McGregor has not fought since October 2018 against Khabib Nurmagomedov.
💰FOTN Bonus 💰
You guessed it — @CowboyCerrone vs @AlIaquinta | 50Gs! #UFCOttawa
B2YB @ToyoTires pic.twitter.com/R62jBTcMuc
— UFC (@ufc) May 5, 2019
Cerrone and Iaquinta earned Fight of the Night, while Walt Harris and Macy Chiasson earned performances of the night. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD performance.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
In case you missed the prelims:
COLE SMITH DEF. MITCH GAGNON (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
ARJAN BHULLAR DEF. JUAN ADAMS VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
MATT SAYLES DEF. KYLE NELSON VIA SUBMISSION (ARM TRIANGLE CHOKE) R3 3:16
NORDINE TALEB DEF. KYLE PREPOLEC VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
VINCE MORALES DEF. ALEMANN ZAHABI VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
MACY CHIASSON DEF. SARAH MORAES VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R2 2:22
MAIN CARD
ANDREW SANCHEZ VS. MARC-ANDRE BARRIAULT
El Dirte gets it done! #UFCOttawa pic.twitter.com/glSPLkI4qB
— UFC (@ufc) May 5, 2019
WINNER: ANDREW SANCHEZ VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ANDREW SANCHEZ VIA UD
Andrews: Sanchez did what he was supposed to do, but needs to keep it going.
WALT HARRIS VS. SERGEY SPIVAK
WALT HARRIS WASTES NO TIME! #UFCOttawa pic.twitter.com/ZcLtMh40x6
— UFC (@ufc) May 5, 2019
WINNER: WALT HARRIS VIA TKO R1 0:50
ANDREWS PREDICTION: WALT HARRIS VIA TKO
Andrews: Wow! Harris took care of the business quickly.
BRAD KATONA VS.MERAB DVALISHVILI
Another takedown for Merab!#UFCOttawa pic.twitter.com/spmN7SPgDl
— UFC (@ufc) May 5, 2019
WINNER: MERAB DVALISHVILI VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MERAB DVALISHVILI VIA UD
Andrews: Merab was just too good. Good win.
#10 CUB SWANSON VS. SHANE BURGOS
Wow!@HurricaneShaneB gets the biggest win of his career at #UFCOttawa! pic.twitter.com/hy0OW68LJN
— UFC (@ufc) May 5, 2019
WINNER: SHANE BURGOS VIA SD (30-27, 27-30, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: SHANE BURGOS VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: The toughness is still there for Cub, but the division has stepped up.
#9 DEREK BRUNSON VS. #12 ELIAS THEODOROU
Going 🆙
Coming ⬇️ #UFCOttawa pic.twitter.com/xyqz59s9ZM
— UFC (@ufc) May 5, 2019
WINNER: DEREK BRUNSON VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ELIAS THEODOROU VIA UD
Andrews: Brunson didn’t need to fear the power of Elias and that allowed him to be aggressive and use his wrestling. Good performance.
MAIN EVENT
#4 AL IAQUINTA VS. #8 DONALD CERRONE
FRONT KICK TO THE FACE!@CowboyCerrone #UFCOttawa pic.twitter.com/DQBvUPDFo9
— UFC (@ufc) May 5, 2019
WINNER: DONALD CERRONE VIA UD (49-45, 49-45, 49-46)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: DONALD CERRONE VIA TKO
Andrews: Iaquinta ia always tough as nails, but Cerrone was just too much.
