Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: Has Donald Cerrone raised his ceiling after UFC Fight Night 45?
Jul 18, 2014 - 10:55:25 AM ROUNDTABLE: Has Donald Cerrone raised his ceiling after UFC Fight Night 45?

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With Donald Cerrone scoring his fourth straight stoppage win, and becoming the first to defeat Jim Miller by strikes, can you see him raising his ceiling in the UFC? Why or why not? How do you think he matches up with Khabib Nurmagomedov if that fight happens next?


CASH NORMAN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

In the UFC your ceiling is only as high as you allow it to be; meaning if you're willing to promote yourself and put on exciting fights, you don't have a ceiling. The UFC's primary purpose is to sell fights that fans will pay to see, and Donald Cerrone is always raising his stock.

I think Cerrone will be a real test for Nurmagomedov. Often Nurmagomedov leaves himself open to strikes with his style of winging punches to close distance. I could easily see a scenario in which he leaps forward and Cerrone catches him with a knee to the chest. In addition, I can also see a scenario in which Nurmagomedov takes Cerrone down and he gets caught in a triangle choke.

I'm not sold on Nurmagomedov; he only has two finishes in six fights inside the Octagon, one by submission and the other by TKO. By contrast, Cerrone has 15 submissions and four knockouts under his belt. Although Nurmagomedov is listed higher in the rankings (the UFC ranking system is utter garbage), I think this is a major step up in competition for him.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

It's certainly possible. I would like to see it, as I think Cerrone brings a different and unique vibe to the fight world. I think Nurmagomedov likely smothers Cerrone on the ground, but maybe he catches Nurmagomedov with a kick or punch that rocks him? I think Nurmagomedov beats Cerrone, but this is definitely a fight the UFC should consider making. Cerrone wants to fight six times this year, and I want to see him fight six times this year.


KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I think he definitely has the potential of reaching even a higher ceiling than where he is now. He has the best personality for a fighter, a guy who will go out there and fight anybody, and as long as he keeps fighting and performing well, his stock is bound to continue rising. I think he matches up the same way against Khabib that everyone else does: horribly. I don't see anyone at lightweight being able to compete with Khabib. If Cerrone and Khabib do fight, I think Khabib will dominate the fight.


DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK COLUMNIST

Jim Miller was the perfect opponent to compliment the style of Donald Cerrone Wednesday night, but Khabib Nurmagomedov is the complete opposite. His grappling based style, never-ending cardio, and constant pressure will pretty much nullify everything Cerrone tries to do. I only see Nurmagomedov emerging as the winner if they do finally match-up later this year, and I don't expect it to be a typically entertaining Cerrone fight.

In terms of other potential opponents I don't think anyone is craving to see a Cerrone vs. Diaz rematch anytime soon. The first fight was so one-sided, and I don't see any reason for the result to be different unless Diaz has too much ring rust that might allow Cerrone to finally land a significant punch. Outside of the two I've mentioned, only the winner of dos Anjos vs. Henderson springs to mind. That's two more top-tier opponents who hold victories over Cerrone, but neither potential fight is that appealing.