Anthony Pettis vs. Donald Cerrone targeted for January 26 event | UFC News

A long-awaited bout between lightweight contenders Anthony “Showtime” Pettis (15-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) and Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone (19-4 MMA, 6-1 UFC) is nearly set.

“Showtime” last saw action in February at UFC 144, where he earned a first round KO victory over Joe Lauzon. The Duke Roufus protege, Pettis, is the last man to defeat current UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson. “Showtime” defeated “Bendo” back in December of 2010, to earn the WEC lightweight championship.

Cerrone is currently riding a two fight win-streak and has gone 6-1 since joining the UFC. His latest victory came at UFC 150 in Denver, where he KO’d Melvin Guillard in the first round. The victory over Guillard earned “Cowboy” both “Fight of the Night” and “Knockout of the Night” honours.

Two of the top 155-pound fighters in the UFC, Pettis and Cerrone were originally expected to do battle at UFC 150, which took place August 11th at Denver’s Pepsi Center. However, a shoulder injury and subsequent surgery forced Pettis to withdraw from the fight.

The UFC is expecting to hold an event on January 26, 2013, possibly UFC on FOX 6. A venue and city for the event has not been confirmed, though sources have stated Chicago is a front running candidate.