UFC 249 Full Fight Video: Watch Anthony Pettis TKO Donald Cerrone In First Meeting

Anthony Pettis and Donald Cerrone were both rising in the UFC lightweight rankings when they faced off for the first time in 2013. Pettis, the former WEC lightweight champion was on a 6-1 run and coming off a “Knockout of the Night” bonus-winning performance against Joe Lauzon. Cerrone, who was a former WEC lightweight title challenger, was on an 8-1 run and coming off a double bonus-winning first-round knockout win over Melvin Guillard. The matchup took place at UFC on FOX 6.

Both fighters came out throwing big strikes, but Pettis was scoring more with his counters. Two minutes into the fight, Pettis landed a solid kick to Cerrone’s body. UFC commentator Joe Rogan noted that the blow had hurt Cerrone and that he was trying to recover. He never got the chance to do so. Thirty seconds later, Pettis landed another kick to Cerrone’s body. That strike left Cerrone crumpled on the mat. A couple punches to Cerrone’s head brought the fight to an end at the 2:35 mark of the first stanza.

Pettis won the UFC lightweight title in his next outing when he submitted Benson Henderson in the first round. He defended that belt with a second-round submission of Gilbert Melendez in December 2014. Pettis lost the belt to Rafael dos Anjos in March 2015.

Pettis and Cerrone run things back on Saturday on the UFC 249 prelim card. Pettis is on a two-fight losing skid and has gone 4-8 in his past 12 bouts. Cerrone, who is winless in his past three outings, is 5-7 in his past 12 fights. The two meet at the welterweight limit. 

UFC 249 takes place at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. The main card streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

Before they meet a second time, watch Pettis stop Cerrone in their first scrap.