After what was a drama-filled end to Diego Sanchez’s time with the company that crowned him their first ever Ultimate Fighter, it left another veteran of the Octagon without an opponent. It seemed like Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone was left in limbo without a fight, but Alex Morono stepped up to save the co-main event spot at UFC Vegas 26.
For Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone, it was a role reversal of sorts as he has been known as the man to always step in and take a fight or two on short notice. On Saturday night Cowboy was looking to get back into the win column as he has not had a win since May 4, 2019. Of course with Cerrone, fight fans know that win or lose, he always comes to fight.
Alex Morono stepping up was a very different fight, however. While it helped keep the card intact (multiple other fights were lost, which saw the ESPN event shrink to just nine fights), the Sanchez match-up favored Cerrone, while Morono was more of the question mark. Morono was looking to capitalize on the legacy Cerrone had carved within the UFC, to get back some winning momentum after his previous loss to Anthony Pettis.
Both men came out fast and furious. Alex Morono came out on a mission to finish Cowboy, and after landing numerous heavy shots, ref Marc Goddard had seen enough as Cowboy was taking too much damage. The ref called the fight off at 4:40 in the first round.
PROS GIVE THEIR TAKE
Check out how the pros reacted to the co-main event between Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone and Alex Morono.
Huge win congrats hardwork pays off @alexmoronomma #UFCVegas26 @ufc
— Charles Rosa (@CharlesRosaMMA) May 9, 2021
That was the best striking display from Morono I’ve ever seen. Clean and much more technical and precise. I thought Cerrone was gonna win that one. #UFCVegas26
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) May 9, 2021
The air in Houston just got a little bit sweeter with that @alexmoronomma win! HTX is celebrating for you tonight for that performance!!
— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) May 9, 2021
Damn that was brutal!
— Funky (@Benaskren) May 9, 2021
Leggo!!!!! Morono!!!
— Max Griffin (@MaxPainGriffin) May 9, 2021
Was that the last of cowboy?
If so thank you for all the great fights and memories. I remember watching him on the tapout show like 15 years ago! Helluva career!— Austin Arnett (@AustinArnettMMA) May 9, 2021
Would love a rematch vs Cerrone #UFCVegas26
— John Wayne Makdessi (@JohnMakdessi) May 9, 2021
Cowboy is the man 👊🏿
— Gary Goodridge (@garyhgoodridge) May 9, 2021
“Don’t know what to answer you on, ‘Is it that time [to retire]?’ I don’t know. I don’t feel like it, but how I feel and how I perform are two different things, you know?"
"Heartbroken" @Cowboycerrone spoke to @bokamotoESPN after his loss at #UFCVegas26 pic.twitter.com/qL2fa4TrCp
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 9, 2021
