Welterweight contender Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone will try to make UFC history when he collides with Leon Edwards in Saturday's UFC Fight Night 132 card that will be streamed from Singapore. The 35-year-old Cerrone will become UFC's all-time winningest fighter if he defeats Edwards in Saturday's five-round bout.
Cerrone is currently tied with Georges St-Pierre and Michael Bisping with 20 wins apiece in the UFC. When he enters the Octagon on Saturday, Cerrone will move one fight closer to Bisping's record of 29 UFC appearances.
When asked about the possibility of setting the UFC record, Cerrone said he wants to continue to fight so his record will never be matched or surpassed. In his career, Cerrone has 13 fight-night bonuses, which is tied for second with the legendary Anderson Silva. Only Nate Diaz and Joe Lauzon have more, with 15 fight-night bonuses each.
Cerrone Has Slowed Down In Training
However, Cerrone admits that he has learned to slow down his training compared to his younger years. According to Cerrone, he is preparing for a bout through experience and no longer tortures himself in training.
"I don't train harder now, man, no way. I train a lot smarter and a lot easier," said Cerrone, who has an overall MMA record of 33-10 (20-7 in the UFC). Cerrone ended a three-fight losing streak in February with a first-round stoppage of Yancy Medeiros.
Cerrone's three-fight losing streak was the longest in his 12-plus years as an MMA fighter. While he's at a disadvantage in age against the 26-year-old Edwards, Cerrone plans to mix it up with his opponent from Birmingham, England.
"He's a real arrogant, cocky (expletive), to be honest with you," Cerrone tells MMA Fighting. "So, I don't know, we'll see, but I'm not too impressed with him at all." Edwards is eyeing a win over Cerrone so he can convince UFC to stage a bout in his hometown.
Cerrone To Exchange Blows With Edwards
Edwards is known as a dangerous striker, but Cerrone said he intends to fight his cocky opponent that way. Cerrone said viewers expect him to fight differently, but the veteran fighter said he will give Edwards a dose of his own medicine.
"I hope he doesn't get in there and try to take me down and turn it into a grappling contest. Let's give the people what they want," said Cerrone. Edwards, for his part, has a 14-3-0 record.
The two fighters are almost identical in height, weight, and arm reach, but Edwards has a 3-inch advantage in leg reach. Cerrone is the number 11 welterweight, while Edwards is ranked number 13.
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
