UFC Fight Night 59 in Boston was home to a co-main event that was a trilogy, as former WEC fighters-turner-current UFC contenders Donald Cerrone and Benson Henderson collided. It was a highly anticipated fight featuring a former champion versus a crowd favorite
In a three-round war of attrition, Cerrone walked away with a close decision that earned him his seventh win in a row. It was a disputed decision, but nonetheless, it gets Cerrone closer to a title shot.
With that, what did we learn from the co-main event? Let's take a look and recap the fight.
What We'll Remember from the Fight
There isn't much you are going to remember from this fight. It was wasn't especially exciting, there wasn't a memorable finish, and nothing screamed "great" in this fight.
Total Strikes Landed: 93-58 Henderson Significant Strikes landed: 86-57 Henderson Takedowns: Henderson (0/1), Cerrone (1/7)
— Jason Floyd (@Jason_Floyd) January 19, 2015
I think some people will remember the decision, just because of the massive heat it garnered on social media. Many thought Henderson won; however, it was extremely close and could have gone either way.
What We Learned About Cerrone
I think we may have known this going in, but Cerrone is a true fighter. He took a fight on 15 days' notice against the former WEC and UFC champ, whom he already had two losses to.
That's why he's a crowd favorite. He loves to fight, always comes to fight and is entertaining. This may not have been his best fight, but the win is massive on his record.
What We Learned About Henderson
We found out that Henderson loves the oblique kick. By that, I mean he really loves it, given that he used it a lot. Seriously, rewatch the fight, it happened on numerous occasions.
Henderson is never going to be confused with the most exciting fighter in the UFC, but he's technically gifted and world class. Killer instinct is the one thing he lacks, which is why UFC fans see him as a decision fighter.
What's Next for Cerrone?
Cerrone isn't far from a title shot. He's on a seven-fight surge, has beat some top guys and has done so in exciting fashion.
However, with Anthony Pettis tied up with Rafael dos Anjos in the next title fight, one can expect Cerrone to stay busy as usual. The best fight at this point would be a top contender's bout with a fully recovered Khabib Nurmagomedov in a couple of months.
What's Next for Henderson?
With that loss, controversial or not, Henderson finds himself on a losing streak. That means he is in desperate need of a win.
Perhaps a rematch with Gilbert Melendez is in the cards. If not, putting him with a big name who also is known for questionable decisions in Diego Sanchez would work.
