UFC
Donald Cerrone says he's "looking for one of those bonuses" in UFC on Fox 11 bout with Edson Barboza
Apr 19, 2014 - 10:15:13 AM Donald Cerrone says he's "looking for one of those bonuses" in UFC on Fox 11 bout with Edson Barboza

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Donald Cerrone looking for another highlight to add to his reel this weekend, looking for a bonus-winning performance against Edson Barboza. In his last fight, he scored a highlight reel finish over Adriano Martins for his second straight stoppage win. However, while the excellent finish got him another prominent spot on a UFC card in tonight's UFC on Fox 11 event, Cerrone felt a bit off in that fight.

"Man, I came out flat in that fight," Cerrone said in an interview with Duane Finley for UFC.com. "Thank God I have years of experience under my belt and knowing where I needed to be. I could hear my coaches yelling at me and was like, 'Yeah... I hear what you are saying but it's just not working.' I needed to wake up and I happened to do it at the right time."

"When you sit at home and watch this sport it looks pretty easy. But when you are in there and have to tell your brain to match your heart and to match your fist and feet, it's pretty damn tough. It's so crazy because in a fight it takes one thing to switch the momentum. One big shot can make you start second guessing yourself. Staying in your head in this game is tough. Some of those grudge matches I might have gotten a bit too involved, but whatever. I'm back baby."

Cerrone's hoping to make it three wins in a row now in tonight's fight. He understands Barboza has a dangerous striking game, but admits he hasn't seen much of his fights and he's simply coming out looking to put on a show.

"Edson is a dangerous guy with great striking, but I don't think he's fought anyone like me before," Cerrone said. "I really don't. The guys he's making highlight reels on are so-so guys, but now he's coming to the top 10 and let's see how he does. I'm not taking anything away from the guy though. I've seen zero tape on him except the highlight where he spinning kicked a guy. Other than that, I don't know, don't care. I hope he trains hard and f****** shows up to fight because I'm looking for one of those bonuses."

Penick's Analysis: I think it's that bonus seeking mentality that could have him in trouble in this fight. Barboza's a guy who can be beaten, but his opponents have to bully him and beat him up in the clinch or on the ground to do so. In the type of fight I think Cerrone plans to bring him tonight - an all-out bonus-seeking war - that's where Barboza may be at his best. Cerrone could catch him, of course, and turn things in his favor, but trying to put together some type of crazy brawl may work against him here.