UFC
After UFC on Fuel 3, Donald Cerrone wants Anthony Pettis bout at UFC 150 in Denver
May 16, 2012 - 11:40:38 AM After UFC on Fuel 3, Donald Cerrone wants Anthony Pettis bout at UFC 150 in Denver

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Donald Cerrone took five months between fights after his UFC 141 loss to Nate Diaz, and come Tuesday's UFC on Fuel 3 event it appeared to be time well spent. Cerrone was the far superior fighter to Jeremy Stephens on Tuesday night, out-classing him on the feet and making a very solid vet in Stephens look downright inept at times.

Getting that win taken care of puts Cerrone back on track to make a run up the UFC's lightweight division, as he's now 5-1 in six Octagon appearances. But he's not looking to sit out long after this win, as he said after the event he'd like to fight at UFC 150 in Denver, Colo., this August.

"I want to fight in Denver," Cerrone said after the event (transcribed by Sergio Non of USA Today via MMAJunkie.com). "Whoever's begging at the bit to go is who I want to fight."

Cerrone said he's "100%" ready for a top five opponent in the UFC's lightweight division, and when Anthony Pettis' name was brought up, he completely agreed with that fight's merits.

"That'd be a good match-up," Cerrone said. "Stylistically it'll work out perfect for me. He'll stand and want to fight and try and take me down. I'll beat him up, and then we'll keep fighting. That'd be good fight, especially for Denver."

Penick's Analysis: August 11 may be too early for Pettis to return to action after shoulder surgery, but the fight itself is one I like a lot. If Cerrone is hell bent on fighting in Denver, Pettis isn't likely to be his opponent, nor will he likely get a "top five" name. If he can hold out one extra month, Pettis should be able to go in September as was rumored for a potential fight with Nate Diaz. Otherwise, they'll both likely be matched up against decidedly less interesting options in the division.