LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 19: In this handout image provided by UFC, (L-R) Alex Morono punches Anthony Pettis in a lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on December 19, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Donald Cerrone was originally scheduled to fight the now-released Diego Sanchez
UFC veterans Diego Sanchez and Donald Cerrone were scheduled to fight at UFC Vegas 26. It was also expected to be Sanchez’s farewell fight.
But, things took an unexpected turn after Sanchez was released by the UFC, out of nowhere.
What came as a shock to everyone, ’twas later revealed that the UFC had decided to immediately release the veteran due to his coach Joshua Fabia’s stubborn request to the UFC to hand over Sanchez’s 16-year long medical documents.
The UFC had realized something was fishy, and upon further investigation learned from Sanchez’s lawyer that ‘The Nightmare’ wouldn’t be able to provide full assurance that he wasn’t suffering from any issues.
And hence, he was released. Now, Cerrone was left without an opponent, and after almost a week, Alex Morono has been named as the replacement fighter.
The news was first broken by MMA reporter Contreras Legaspi, and was later confirmed by MMA Fighting.
Alex Morono last faced Anthony Pettis at UFC Fight Night : Thompson vs Neal, losing the fight via. unanimous decision.
He had previously beaten Rhys McKee via. unanimous decision the previous month, after coming off a loss against Khaos Williams at UFC 247.
This is not the first time Morono is in a situation where he has won just 1 of his 3 fights. He had already been 1-2 between 2017 and 2018, when he made a resounding come back stitching up three victories on the trot.
He will be hoping to recreate the same, when he takes on ‘Cowboy’.
Follow our dedicated UFC page for instant UFC news and updates
