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Lightweights

Donald Cerrone (19-4, 6-1 UFC) vs. Anthony Pettis (15-2, 2-1 UFC)

The Matchup: This one has been in the works for some time now, with Pettis’ recovery from injury delaying the matchup and drawing the ire of Cerrone in the process. With reigning 155-pound champion Benson Henderson already locked into a title defense against Gilbert Melendez on April 20, the winner could find himself sitting pretty for a shot at the belt this summer.

Cerrone has been far more active than his former WEC counterpart since the promotion folded into the UFC at the end of 2010. Pettis, as the final WEC lightweight king, was expected to receive a title shot upon his entry into the Octagon, but a couple of key events -- a draw between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard and Pettis’ decision loss to Clay Guida in the interim -- moved “Showtime” down the divisional waiting list.

It may have been a blessing in disguise for the Duke Roufus protégé, as he was able to learn from the Guida loss and adapt his approach accordingly. This was most evident against Jeremy Stephens, as Pettis utilized takedowns and top control -- not flashy striking and submissions -- to earn a unanimous verdict at UFC 136. The 25-year-old was up to his old tricks at UFC 144, however, dropping Joe Lauzon with a spectacular left head kick before finishing the contest with a volley of hammerfists on the ground. Not every outing is going to provide ESPN highlight-worthy material, and the more Pettis finds a balance between the unorthodox and the fundamental, the better off he will be.

Cerrone is no stranger to excitement in the cage, either. The perennial post-fight bonus collector blends well-rounded kickboxing with crafty submissions, and he appears to have corrected two of his most glaring flaws: subpar wrestling and the tendency to start slowly. Most recently, the Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts product showcased his durability; after being staggered by a Melvin Guillard left hand at UFC 150, Cerrone rallied to finish his former training partner with a head kick and a straight right.

What makes this fight so appealing is that Pettis and Cerrone have the ability to counter what the other does well. On the feet, both have excellent kickboxing skills, so establishing a rhythm will be crucial. Cerrone’s one-inch reach advantage is not significant, but movement, angles and timing will be paramount in determining which fighter will be able to effectively land combinations. Neither man has been knocked out in his mixed martial arts career, making the possibility of some spirited exchanges all the more likely.

If the fight hits the ground, expect some entertaining scrambles and transitions to ensue. Both men are comfortable on their back and own active submission games. Pettis might be slightly better than Cerrone in the wrestling aspect of the fight, but the advantage, if any, is slight. Small victories, such as landing a few key takedowns or landing strikes in tie-ups, could determine the outcome in a bout where nothing figures to come easily.

During their Zuffa tenures, Cerrone has landed strikes with more volume than Pettis, but “Showtime” is adept at timing his opponent’s tendencies to set up the spectacular kicks for which he has become known. Cerrone is savvier than he likes to let on, and he will be prepared for what his opponent can bring to the table.

The Pick: Only Nate Diaz’s volume punching has derailed Cerrone’s run through the UFC thus far. He will find Pettis to be his most significant test since that defeat. In a tooth-and-nail bout, Cerrone lands a little bit harder and a little more often to take a narrow decision.

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