DONALD CERRONE

ATTRIBUTES

OFFENSIVE SKILLS

DEFENSIVE SKILLS

ULTIMATE TECHNIQUES

Right Flying Head Kick

Level 2—Both Standing, Striking Range

Cerrone’s kicks are fast and powerful, making them his best weapons on the feet. Throw this particularly fast head kick to rock the opponent with a sudden shin to the chin.

Crushing Left/Right Knee

Level 2—Muay Thai Clinch, Offense

The “Cowboy” is an accomplished clinch striker, and his knees are deadly in the Muay Thai Clinch. Press the opponent into the cage to add even more weight to Cerrone’s lethal clinch knees.

Sweep Transition to Mount, Top

Level 2—Rubber Guard, Bottom

Cerrone is excellent off his back, capable of instantly rolling his opponent over and achieving full mount in one powerful sweep. Enter the Rubber Guard by performing a technique transition from Open Guard Clinch, Bottom.

STRENGTHS

• Heart
• Submissions
• Muay Thai
  

Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone is a dangerous lightweight with well-rounded skills and the ability to end a fight by various means from any position. His great speed and footwork help Cerrone pick apart his adversaries in the striking game.

His kicks are especially lethal—attack your opponents’ legs to slow them down and make them easier prey.

“Cowboy” can unleash some brutal knees in the Muay Thai Clinch, especially after he presses his opponent into the cage—use his clinch to great advantage if you’re getting rocked on the feet.

Cerrone’s ground grappling and submission game are also extremely advanced—he’s able to sweep his opponent from the bottom or apply dangerous submissions from nearly any spot.

Cerrone’s takedowns fail to impress, but he can take a punch on the feet—open up with his striking game to lure the opponent into giving up the short takedown.

WEAKNESSES

• Strength
• Takedowns
• Ground striking

With a strong mix of offense and defense, “Cowboy” is a tough opponent to face inside the Octagon. Take the initiative in the striking exchanges and try to score big punches against Cerrone on the feet.

Don’t linger out in his kicking range­—fight Cowboy on the inside, stringing together combos in an aggressive attempt to rock him.

Cerrone is a beast on his back, so don’t risk taking him down unless you’re supremely confident in your grappling ability and submission defense from the top.

Cerrone is a dangerous adversary anywhere you fight him, so rely on your fighter’s strengths and remain patient, looking for openings and chances to turn the momentum of the fight with a big counter.