Joe Silva certainly isn’t messing about in his final few months before retirement.
The UFC matchmaker has truly outdone himself with the latest fight on which pen has reportedly met paper.
Early on Wednesday, strong rumours began circulating that Chris Weidman vs. Yoel Romero and Al Iaquinta vs. Thiago Alves were the first pair of bouts to be allotted a spot on the huge UFC 205 card that takes place in Madison Square Garden on November 12.
Both fights would be great, competitive contests with potentially major implications on the rankings at both middleweight and lightweight.
But the fight seemingly confirmed by Dana White later on that afternoon has trumped both of the above bouts.
Ahead of this weekend’s card in Cleveland, the UFC president told Ohio-based sports reporter Anthony Lima that Donald Cerone would be taking on former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler in New York.
UFC News: @danawhite just told me the papers are signed off on a Robbie Lawler vs. Donald Cerrone match for #UFC205 card at MSG in NYC.
— Anthony Lima (@SportsBoyTony) September 7, 2016
Yes!!!! Am I right?
Cerrone maintained his perfect record at 170lb, since moving up after he came unstuck in his shot at the lightweight title, when he stopped welterweight stalwart Rick Story at UFC 202 three weeks ago.
It was his third finish in as many fights and earned him number 7 slot in the most recent welterweight rankings.
Lawler, meanwhile, is looking to rebound after losing the title when he was brutally knocked out by reigning champ Tyron Woodley in July.
There are certain fights that are just guaranteed to entertain and given the fan-friendly styles of both men, we’d firmly place this tilt into that category.
It’s safe to say that the booking was received warmly by fight fans.
Looks like Lawler vs Cerrone for UFC205 is on !!! Firework all over !!! #violence #fotn
— . (@patrick_cote) September 7, 2016
Robbie Lawler vs. Donald Cerrone looks to be official for #UFC205 @ MSG in NYC. One hell of a war, ladies and gents. https://t.co/O0yRYrjOJU
— Wesley Riddle (@AllThatMMA) September 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/GrabakaHitman/status/773556647620931584
Woah. Cerrone vs Lawler. That's going to be GREAT.
— Helen Yee (@HelenYeeSports) September 7, 2016
So, looks like Lawler vs Cerrone at #UFC205 is a done deal #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/iPgUiI8s67
— The Middle Ground (@MidGround_) September 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/KieranF_/status/773558783465381888
Lawler vs Cerrone is happening, outstanding stuff #UFC
— KC Bubba (@bdentrek) September 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/IamAntonRecto/status/773560328948809728
https://twitter.com/Herrerainho21/status/773560742272466944
Robbie Lawler v Donald Cerrone at 205 😅👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/LGYVP1uVIP
— Nuge (@MFNugent__) September 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/bcwilloww/status/773560805463908352
https://twitter.com/Kyle_Dana/status/773562304680103936
Rumour has it Donald Cerrone vs Robbie Lawler could be set for UFC 205 in NY. I cannot contain my excitement. #UFC pic.twitter.com/QBMFndDlao
— Chris Toplack (@christoplack) September 7, 2016
Donald Cerrone Vs Robbie Lawler that's a fucking Fight for sure these guys will brawl
— Master_love007 (@Master_love007) September 7, 2016
The GAA Hour Hurling Show relives Tipperary’s sensational All-Ireland victory with Paidí Maher. Listen below or subscribe on iTunes.
