UFC: Dan Hardy previews Donald Cerrone vs Alex Oliveira

This week, British UFC welterweight and UFC commentator, Dan Hardy, looks ahead to the highly anticipated ‘Cowboy vs. Cowboy’, as Donald Cerrone takes on late replacement Alex Oliveira in Pittsburgh

Donald Cerrone prepares to fight for title (JOSH HEDGES AND ZUFFA LLC)

Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone will be looking to regain his momentum this weekend after his recent disappointment against lightweight champion, Rafael Dos Anjos. The loss broke an amazing eight-fight win streak, which began after Cerrone’s first loss to Dos Anjos. A lot of people, Cerrone included, expected a different outcome the second time around, but a knee to the ribs early in the first put him on the back foot and he never recovered. Always eager to keep moving forward, 'Cowboy' insisted on a quick turnaround, so that he could move past the defeat and begin working his way back to the gold.

Cerrone was originally scheduled to face Tim Means, but an out-of-competition drug test came back as inconclusive for Means. To be on the safe side, Means was removed from the headliner and a far more intriguing opponent was brought in to replace him. What is unusual about this new opponent, is that he shares the same nickname as Cerrone. Alex 'Cowboy' Oliveira was a later addition to the UFC roster. Riding a three-fight win streak that started with a submission win over KJ Noons, and recently a third-round stoppage over Piotr Hallmann, Oliveira is beginning to work his way up the rankings.

I know it's relatively inconsequential when the fight begins, but I have to imagine that there is some added motivation with the nickname situation, particularly for Cerrone, who has been around the UFC for a long while. I can't think of a time in UFC history where fighters have battled for bragging rights over a fight moniker. This is surely the reason Jon Bon Jovi wrote the song, 'Blaze of Glory', and I know both of these fighters will fight like their life depends on it. It seems only right that one Cowboy should leave town when the fight is over, or at least forfeit the name. They could start treading on my toes though, if one Cowboy outlaws the other! Perhaps the winner should be named Octagon sheriff so I don't have to put the gloves back on!

Oliveira is a long, awkward striker – something which can be difficult to prepare for. Cerrone will need to draw upon all of his previous Octagon experience if he wants to stay near that next title shot. With Oliveira and Cerrone both coming from a Muay Thai background, the deciding factor may be one fighters ability to wrestle and threaten with submissions. Although the Brazilian fighter has three tap out victories on his record, Cerrone has fifteen submissions in twenty-eight successful outings. He even started his professional career with seven straight submission finishes, mixing his attack between triangle chokes and armbars.


 Alex Oliveira celebrates his win over Piotr Hallmann BUDA MENDES AND ZUFFA LLC
 (BUDA MENDES AND ZUFFA LLC)

Some may say that a more strategic approach from Cerrone - not only regarding this fight, but also his career - may pay dividends. He simply isn't that kind of person though. His antics outside of the sport must give UFC staff high blood pressure. If he isn't preoccupied with the fight, he is wakeboarding, horse riding, racing all manner of motor vehicles and generally trying to replace most of his blood with adrenaline. This is why the fans love him. Win or lose, you can guarantee a battle, and Oliveira will give him just that.

Formally a bullrider, hence the nickname, Oliveira won't struggle finding the courage to step in against the more experienced and higher ranked Cerrone. His previous occupation will surely give him excellent balance, core strength and awareness to make any escape from a bottom position difficult, especially if he finds his way to mount. I'm interested to see how Cerrone approaches the bout. Will he be the more technical fighter? Will his frustration after falling short in his title fight be a driving force? Will they both throw caution to the wind and stand in the centre of the Octagon, shooting from the hip until someone falls?

Expect to see the good, the bad, and possibly the ugly, as Cowboy meets Cowboy, in a Wild West showdown in four ounce gloves. Ready the tumbleweeds, queue the barking dog and the swinging saloon doors. There is only room for one Cowboy in this Octagon, and we are about to find out who is most deserving. Before they meet in the headlining bout, there is plenty more to keep you entertained. Alex Garcia will represent the legendary Tristar gym as he faces Sean Strickland, and higher up on the card, top contender Dennis Bermudez will face long-time MMA veteran, Tatsuya Kawajiri. Lots to look forward to, live from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Watch UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Oliveira live on BT Sport from midnight GMT on Sunday, February 21st or catch the Early Prelims from 10:15pm GMT on UFC Fight Pass