UFC Fight Night 83: Preview And Fight Card

By Miguel Vasquez, Christian Post Contributor Saturday, February 20, 2016

Two "Cowboys" fighting out of the welterweight division will headline UFC Fight Night 83. It is also called "UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Cowboy." The event will take place on Sunday, February 21, 9PM/6PM ET/PT at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

In the blue corner is a UFC newcomer who has been successful in his stint so far. Brazilian Alex Oliveira was signed by the company in 2015 and had his first fight in March in UFC Fight Night 62 against Gilbert Burns, as a replacement for Josh Thomson who was injured. Unfortunately for him, he lost the fight via armbar late in the third round.

He was, however, able to bounce back and win his next three fights; two of which ended by stoppage. His last fight was against Piotr Hallmann at the main card of UFC Fight Night 77 (also known as UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson 3) in Brazil. Oliveira won the fight via a third round knockout and was given the Performance of the Night bonus.

The man in the red corner is coming off a disappointing title fight loss against lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos which was held on December of last year. Donald Cerrone has established a reputation for himself as one of the most active fighters in the UFC.

In 2015, he has fought a total of four times, winning three of them in convincing fashion. One of them was against former lightweight champion turned Bellator FC superstar Benson "Smooth" Henderson in January 2015. Cerrone won the fight via unanimous decision.

A win for either fighter could easily mean a boost at the UFC's 170-pound rankings. Cerrone holds a record of 28-7 (with one no contest and 20 victories by stoppage) while Oliveira holds a record of 14-2-1 (with one no contest and 12 victories by stoppage).

Entire fight card:

Main card

Donald Cerrone vs. Alex Oliveira

Derek Brunson vs. Roan Carneiro

Cody Garbrandt vs. Augusto Mendes

Dennis Bermudez vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri

Chris Camozzi vs. Joe Riggs

James Krause vs. Shane Campbell

Preliminary card

Alex Garcia vs. Sean Strickland

Daniel Sarafian vs. Oluwale Bamgbose

Anthony Smith vs. Leonardo Augusto Gumaraes