UFC on Fox 6: Keys to Victory for Donald Cerrone

Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports

UFC on Fox 6 will play host to a highly anticipated lightweight battle between Anthony "Showtime" Pettis and Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone.

Both lightweights came over when the WEC was absorbed into the UFC. Both have also made their marks on the lightweight division.

They are extremely talented and ready to fight.

The winner of this fight could potentially be next in line for a title shot, and that only makes this bout more important.

Here are three keys to victory that could make Donald Cerrone the winner of this fight.

Work the Leg Kicks

Donald Cerrone is a former S-1 United States Muay Thai champion.

His Muay Thai is crisp, accurate and powerful. He is a very technical striker and uses his reach well against his opponents.

Cerrone also has heavy leg kicks. He used them to great effect in his fights against Jeremy Stephens and Nate Diaz.

In both fights he was able to produce a number of knock downs. It also severely took away the mobility of Stephens.

If Cerrone can establish his hard kicks early and often, he could possibly do the same thing to Pettis.

Keep a Cool Head

Cerrone is at his best when he fights without letting his emotions get the best of him.

His one loss in the UFC is against Nate Diaz. That was a fight that Cerrone lost largely because Diaz got in his head and threw him off his game.

Both these fighters have kept at each other for a few months.

If Cerrone ignores the trash-talk Pettis has said, then there is a good chance he'll be in top mental and physical form when they square off.

Fight His Fight and Have Fun

Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports

Cerrone's win against Stephens showed me a few things. The most prominent among them was that Cerrone looked calm and cool.

He was also having fun.

Cerrone needs to go out and fight the fight he wants. He needs to use his length to keep Pettis on the outside and use his technical striking to pick his shots.

He needs to be aware at all times of the speed with which Pettis can kick. Pettis is also a very creative striker, and Cerrone should expect the unexpected.

Cerrone loves to fight, and this will be to his benefit. He should go in and enjoy himself, because that is when he is at his most dangerous.

If "Cowboy" is relaxed and having fun, watch out. His opponent may be in for a long night.

 

Tweet me @FuscoNation16.