In typical fashion, Donald Cerrone isn’t waiting around for his next fight. Just two months after he fell short in a lightweight title bid to Rafael dos Anjos, “Cowboy” will test the welterweight waters in a matchup against Tim Means at UFC Fight Night 82. And because of Cerrone’s star power, odds are already out for the matchup. Let’s peep the lines and take a quick glimpse at the rest of the card.
UFC Fight Night 82 odds at BookMaker.eu
Donald Cerrone -135
Tim Means -105
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -105, under -135
COWBOY UP
Cerrone is one of the best lightweights in the world, but his move to 170 is understandable. An eight-fight win streak led to a rematch with Rafael dos Anjos, who beat Cerrone in 2013. The second scrap was not remotely competitive, with RDA pounding Cerrone into submission in just over a minute. With two losses to the Brazilian, Cowboy won’t be challenging for the belt anytime soon as long as he remains champion.
Instead, Cerrone moves into a different stage of his career, one where he can take fun fights in two weight classes. For a fighter as entertaining and active as Cowboy, it makes a lot of sense. We saw Benson Henderson recently reinvent himself as a moneyweight fighter, and it rejuvenated his career. Count me in as a fan that’s fascinated with the notion of watching Cerrone take fights against bigger men.
Pairing him up against Means is a great example of how the UFC can utilize Cerrone. “The Dirty Bird” is an action fighter who hasn’t gone to decision in four fights. Though their bout means little in a crowded title picture at 170, it’s gonna be a lot of fun to watch.
PERSONS OF INTEREST
Middleweight Derek Brunson comes into his bout against veteran Roan Carneiro on a three-fight win streak, and a victory for the Jackson’s MMA product could earn him a bout against a ranked opponent. Brunson has always been a physical talent, and the fact that he trains with one of the world’s best camps makes him one to watch.
Undefeated bantamweight Cody Garbrandt has perfect hair - cut high and tight, with an aggressive part line. Coupled with his tattoos, he looks a he should be making you locally roasted coffee at your favorite hipster coffee shop. But the guy can fight, and he’s putting his undefeated record on the line against a good veteran. He could be the next hot prospect in a division in need of stars.
Not too long ago, welterweight Brandon Thatch was tabbed as a promising up-and-comer. His size, athleticism and Muay Thai background made him an exciting fighter. But two straight losses have sent him to the middle of the pack. He needs a win over Siyar Bahadurzada to prevent fading into obscurity.
THE EARLY PLAYS
Only odds for Cerrone vs. Means are currently available, and it’s a tough call. Cerrone is definitely the more skilled fighter, but he’s facing a capable opponent who will have a marked size advantage. Still, the fact that Cowboy crushing it in the UFC’s deepest division speaks to how good he is. The early pick is Cerrone to win.
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Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker sportsbook! With BookMaker’s quick and easy payout options, your winnings are always close at hand. You can even wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and money line are all available now. UFC Fight Night 82 takes place on Saturday, February 21, 2016 at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The card will be televised on FOX Sports 1.
