Watch: Former rivals Donald Cerrone and Anthony Pettis spar in preparation for Pettis’ PFL 2022 debut
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Anthony Pettis and Donald Cerrone
Foes turned sparring partners Anthony Pettis and Donald Cerrone engage in some light touch sparring while also maintaining some intensity, especially Pettis with some cartwheel action while trying to tag Cerrone with a unique kick attempt.
This training session is likely in preparation for their respective upcoming fights. ‘Showtime’ Pettis (24-12), who signed with the PFL in late 2020, will attempt to snap a two-fight skid when he takes on Myles Price on April 22nd. ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone (36-16, with 2 NCs) will also attempt to get out of a five-fight slump when he takes on fellow veteran Joe Lauzon at UFC 274 on May 7th.
Pettis first defeated Cerrone at UFC on FOX 6 in January 2013 courtesy of a nasty body kick in the first round. They had a rematch more than seven years later at UFC 249 in May 2020, when Pettis edged out a razor-thin and somewhat controversial unanimous decision.
Both of them were pretty enthusiastic and friendly going into the fight and now the camaraderie has continued itself into the gym too as the two help each other out.
Anthony Pettis looks back at his win over Donald Cerrone from 9 years ago
On Anthony’s birthday, he defeated the undefeated version of Donald Cerrone for the first time in UFC history who also had quite a few wins under his belt. Pettis stopped Cowboy when he threw a vicious leg kick that connected to the body followed by a few strikes to a downed Cerrone, which put the final nail in the coffin.
Taking to Twitter, Anthony Pettis shared a clip from their first fight, with a caption that read: “Nine years ago today.”
The duo had a rematch at UFC 249 in May 2020, which ‘Showtime’ won by unanimous decision. It didn’t take long to see that this fight was going to be nothing like the first. The pace immediately quickened, and Cerrone made sure to take the center of the octagon. Cerrone, an infamously slow starter, didn’t let Pettis dictate the pace this time.
Even though there had been a lot of buzz around the second fight being a ‘robbery’, there were mixed emotions but Cerrone took the loss via Unanimous Decision like a champ but did give a stinkface though.
Also read: “ I want Cerrone” – Jim Miller wants to scrap with OG Donald Cerrone after UFC 274
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