Donald Cerrone is not just picking Anderson Silva to win at UFC 200 — he plans on laying down some money on that outcome as well. He recently told SB Nation’s Submission Radio that, despite a recent decline, he still considers “The Spider” as one of the best.
Silva stepped up on very short notice to fight light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier on the landmark event’s main card after Jon Jones, a teammate of Cerrone, was pulled from a rematch against “DC” for a potential USADA violation earlier this week. Coming off a decision loss to now-middleweight titleholder Michael Bisping, Silva is a massive underdog going into the contest. He opened at +400 (bet $100 to win $400).
Cerrone plans to capitalize on those odds.
“I still think he is one of the best fighters of all time,” he said. “There’s always a f-cking chance (of an upset). This is it, man. This is the sport. This is fun. So, yeah, I’m going with Anderson. I’m putting $1000 on it.”
Cerrone (30-7, 1 NC) moved up to the 170-pound division after a lightweight title loss to Rafael dos Anjos at UFC on FOX 17 this past December, which ended an impressive eight-fight winning streak. “Cowboy” is back on track, however, now riding a two-fight winning streak with stoppages of Patrick Cote and Alex Oliveira.
Cerrone holds a win over Eddie Alvarez, who became the UFC lightweight champion at UFC Fight Night 90 on Thursday night with a shocking first-round TKO of the aforementioned dos Anjos. The 33-year-old welcomed the former Bellator MMA champ to the Octagon in September 2014, defeating him by decision.
Cerrone, a fan-favorite known for accepting fights at anytime, anywhere, and against anyone, has already expressed interest in returning to 155 pounds for a rematch against Alvarez.
“I went and called for the fight (against Alvarez), because why not? We’ll see,” he said. “Absolutely (I will campaign for the fight), why wouldn’t I? Sure. Of course (I called UFC president Dana White), I talk to everybody.”
UFC 200 takes place live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, July 9. Miesha Tate vs. Amanda Nunes headlines.
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