Formerly a staple of the WEC lightweight division, Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone was scheduled to make his second UFC appearance this weekend against Mac Danzig but when the TUF winner pulled out due to injury, newcomer Vagner Rocha stepped up to the plate. A student of Greg Jackson, Cerrone looked awesome at times in the WEC as he racked up a 7-3 record in the promotion and took part in wars with top contenders and champions such as Jamie Varner and Ben Henderson.‘Cowboy’ was on a two-fight winning streak when the WEC merged with the UFC having beaten Varner by decision and submitted Chris Horodecki with a second round triangle choke at WEC 53. The Colorado native made his Octagon debut by outclassing British banger Paul Kelly and submitting him in the second round with a slick rear-naked choke.
Little is known about Octagon first-timer Vagner Rocha but the lightweight hopeful has been dealt a bad hand for his UFC debut as he faces off with the former WEC title contender in Vancouver. A Florida native, Rocha trains with Team Pablo Popovitch and has submitted four out of six opponents on the regional circuit. Rocha’s only loss came via decision to Cesar Gracie prospect Bret Bergmark and the grappler could make some serious waves if he upsets the bookmakers on the weekend.
The Verdict: There is always the chance of a major upset here but ‘Cowboy’ seems a lock to get the tick in the win column against the inexperienced newcomer. Rocha seems to have a solid ground game but it won’t be enough to catch out the wily Cerrone who will have a big advantage in the striking also and this will win him the fight. Rocha might have a few tricks up his sleeve early on but expect to see Cerrone unleash some of his clinch-work in the second round and eventually put the newcomer away. Cerrone, (T)KO, 3rd round.
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