Top 5 UFC finishes of Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone

The first pay-per-view of 2020 - UFC 246 is already sold out! The event is set to take place on January 18, 2020 at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada. The event is headlined by a welterweight bout between 'The Notorious' Conor McGregor and Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone.

The Notorious One is making his much-awaited return to the Octagon and the fans are stoked. In fact, UFC president Dana White confirmed that the tickets for the PPV sold out instantly once they went out for sale. Talking to Yahoo! Sports, White stated that UFC 246 PPV pulled in a hefty sum of $10 million.

Recently, McGregor posted a picture of his transformation on Twitter and it would be an understatement to say that he is looking jacked and all set for the return. But McGregor has a huge task on his hand as he will enter the cage against an experienced campaigner in Cerrone. According to the UFC pundits, Donald Cerrone has more ways to win than his returning opponent. Cerrone fought thrice in 2019 and won only one fight against Al laquinta at Fight Night 151, May 5, 2019 (Lightweight Division). He currently holds a UFC record of 36-13-0 (1 NC) and has numerous records under his belt such as:

• Most Performance Bonuses (17)
• First in Knockdowns (20)
• Most Wins (23)

Such incredible statistics clearly point out the fact that Cerrone won't be a pushover in the fight. Known to be a prolific striker, Cerrone will look to score a huge upset win over one of the most controversial as well as influential figures in the promotion.

In this feature, we take a look at the top 5 finishes of Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone:

5. Donald Cerrone Vs Adriano Martins

Cerrone Vs Martins (Image Courtesy - Getty images)

On January 26, 2014, Cerrone faced Adriano Martins in a lightweight clash at UFC on Fox 10 inside the United Center, Chicago. Under 30 seconds of round 1, Cerrone faked a punch with an outer kick and landed a spectacular head kick, knocking Martins was out cold. Cowboy also picked up his third Knockout of the Night bonus award for the spectacular KO of Martins.

4. Donald Cerrone Vs Jim Miller

Cerrone Vs Miller (Image Courtesy - Getty images)

Donald Cerrone faced Jim Miller at UFC Fight Night 45 on July 16, 2014 in a main event bout (lightweight division) inside the Revel Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. During the second round of the fight, Cerrone tried to split Miller's guard but Miller used a couple of inside leg kicks to thwart Cerrone's efforts.

However, the kicks did not work to the advantage of Miller for long as Cerrone 'set him up' by faked his right punch and landing his trademark lethal head kick which resulted in 'lights out' for Miller. Cerrone handed Miller his first professional KO. This victory also earned the "Cowboy" his second Performance of the Night bonus award.

3. Donald Cerrone Vs Rick Story

Cerrone Vs Story (Image Courtesy - Getty images)

Donald Cerrone moved to welterweight for his fight against Rick Story at UFC 202 inside the T-mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 20, 2016. Cerrone looked physically better, more energetic than Story.

In the second round, Cerrone landed a stiff jab to the face, ducked under with a body shot followed by a hook to the head and flew right in with a high kick. With that spectacular combination, Cerrone won by TKO. That was Rick Story's last UFC fight.

2. Donald Cerrone Vs John Makdessi

Cerrone Vs Makdessi (Image Courtesy - Getty images)

Donald Cerrone was expected to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 187 inside the MGM Grand Arena on May 23, 2015. Due to a knee injury, Khabib pulled out of the bout on April 30. Khabib was later replaced by John Makdessi. Towards the end of the second round, a spectacular head kick by Cowboy landed flush on Makdessi's face, leaving him completely disoriented and as a result, Cerrone won the fight by TKO.

1. Donald Cerrone Vs Matt Brown

Cerrone Vs Brown (Image Courtesy - Getty images)

This fight was a good back and forth one in the welterweight division at UFC 206 held inside the Air Canada Center in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. During the official weigh-in, Brown made the fight personal by refusing to shake hands with Cerrone. It would later come back to haunt Brown. Despite taking numerous blows to the face from Cerrone, Brown held his ground and retaliated with some fierce jabs and body punches. Cerrone even lost his balance a couple of times.

However, as the fight proceeded, Brown was busted open by a signature head kick by Cerrone. During the initial seconds of the third round, Brown had no answer for another of Cerrone's devastating head kick, and went crashing down on the mat as Cerrone picked up another KO.