UFC on ESPN+ 1 results: Donald Cerrone dominates, finishes Alexander Hernandez
The UFC kicked off their 2019 campaign with a return to Brooklyn, NY and a first event on their new family of networks.
UFC on ESPN+1 took place on Saturday night at the Barclays Center. Before the ESPN+ main card, the preliminary card aired on ESPN TV and the featured bout has been one of the most talked about stories of the week as Alex Hernandez took on Donald Cerrone.
Full UFC on ESPN+1 Results
Hernandez burst onto the UFC scene with a quick, 42 second finish of Beneil Dariush at UFC 222 last March. “The Great” would make it a perfect 2-0 in the Octagon for 2018 with a hard fought decision victory over Olivier Aubin-Mercier to kick off July’s UFC Calgary main card. Hernandez brought an 8-fight winning streak, and a lot of confidence — as he told MyMMANews.com — into the fight.
Cerrone returned to the lightweight division for the first time since December 2015. “Cowboy” moved up to welterweight and compiled a 6-4 record in the process. In his most recent appearance, Cerrone submitted Mike Perry in the first round at the UFC’s 25th Anniversary event in Denver.
The beginning of the end.@CowboyCerrone #UFCBrooklyn pic.twitter.com/c8l8uuCqQD
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2019
Fight Recap:
ROUND 1
They meet in the center of the Octagon and Hernandez lands a nice fight hand. Hernandez lands beautiful uppercut which caught Cerrone’s attention. Cerrone throw a low kick, dropping Hernandez. Cerrone lands a takedown, followed by a more emphatic one once Hernandez got to his feet. Back to the feet they go and Hernandez pushes Cerrone back against the cage, landing a knee to Cerrone’s leg. They separate and Cerrone lands a right hand. Hernandez is pushing forward, landing a body shot. Cerrone answers with a kick to the body. Right hand lands by Hernandez, answered by Cerrone. They trade punches and Hernandez comes up short with a knee to the body. “Cowboy” lands a head kick and Hernandez is bleeding. Cerrone lands a big right hand after a nasty knee to the body. Cerrone using his range very well and lands a combination. Cerrone is finding his range and they clinch up. Cerrone with a left hand and a big knee with 30 seconds to go. Hernandez with a kick to the body, answered by a Cerrone right hand. Cerrone lands a few more punches as time expires. Big round for “Cowboy.”
MyMMANews.com scores the round 10-9 for Cerrone
ROUND 2
Hernandez comes out swinging to open the second round and ties Cerrone up against the fence. Cerrone separates and they take the center of the cage. Right hand lands by Cerrone and a body kick answer from Hernandez. Cerrone with another big combination sending Hernandez back to the fence. Body kick from Hernandez, answered by a knee from “Cowboy.” Body kick from Cerrone, answered with a punch to the midsection by Hernandez. Left jab lands from Hernandez. Cerrone with a pair of knees as they clinch in the center. Cerrone lands a big elbow and Hernandez is having a tough time dealing with the range of his opponent. Right hand from Cerrone, followed by a leg kick. Hernandez has slowed down. Cerrone throws a right hand but lands a massive head kick, dropping Hernandez. Cerrone pounces on Hernandez and unloads with punches before the referee steps in. Incredible performance by Donald Cerrone!
Official result: Donald Cerrone def. Alex Hernandez via TKO, Round 2, 3:43
