In the main event of UFC Ottawa, Cerrone (36-11, 1 NC) put on another vintage striking performance, outworking Al Iaquinta (14-5-1) over the course of five action-packed rounds to earn a unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-46) win, his 23rd overall in the UFC.
“Cowboy” is actually undefeated at 4-0 when competing in Canada, but more importantly, he’s unbeaten since the birth of his son Dacson Danger, who joined him in the Octagon on Saturday at Canadian Tire Centre.
“Dad Cerrone is 3-0 now so I’m on a new mission, I’ve got to build this boy a swimming pool,” he said post-fight.
The two veterans set a solid pace in the opening round. Iaquinta was the aggressor, marching forward and landing leg kicks on a patient Cerrone. With the crowd loudly chanting, “Let’s go, Cowboy,” Cerrone gradually began to pick up the pace, answering with kicks of his own and countering as Iaquinta looked to work his boxing in close. Though he was getting caught with straight punches, Iaquinta made sure he had Cerrone’s attention with a quick punch combo. Iaquinta absorbed a hard kick going in for a takedown to close out a close first period.
The heated action carried into the second and third rounds as Iaquinta and Cerrone remained laser-focused. Cerrone continued to land even as he gave ground to Iaquinta, but Iaquinta cracked Cerrone with two big right hands before eating one in response.
