“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.

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.

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1124882146345222144

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

 

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 

 

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 

 

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 

 

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 

 

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 

 

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.

@kenaiandrews