New York’s UFC 205 card starting to take shape with two fights announced
UFC officials still have a great deal of work ahead as they try to construct the kind of grand showcase that has been promised for UFC 205, the organization’s first event in New York.
The first confirmed bout for the Nov. 12 card at Madison Square Garden indicates they are off to a pretty good start.
Former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler will try to rebound from losing his title when he fights streaking contender Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone on the card, sources close to the organization confirmed Thursday.
Lawler relinquished the belt when he was knocked out by Tyron Woodley at UFC 201 in July. The loss snapped a five-fight winning streak, but he has a chance to jump right back in the mix with a victory over Cerrone.
The veteran has won three consecutive fights since moving up from lightweight in February. Cerrone knocked out Rick Story at UFC 202 on Aug. 20 and expressed interest in taking another fight quickly unless he could get a title shot against lightweight champ Eddie Alvarez at lightweight.
He’ll settle for a bout against a former champion that could propel him into immediate contention at 170 pounds.
It’s one of two fights that has been set for the historic event.
Lightweight Al Iaquinta will put a four-fight winning streak on the line when he welcomes veteran Thiago Alves to the division.
Iaquinta, a New York native, has not competed since April 2015. Alves has been out of action since a May 2015 loss to Carlos Condit as he prepared to drop a division.
No main event has been announced. Ronda Rousey has been ruled out as she continues to work her way back to the cage after suffering the first loss of her career in November. Former welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre has hinted at a comeback, but is far more likely to headline UFC 206 in Toronto on Dec. 10.
Featherweight champion Conor McGregor is considered the leading candidate, though he appeared to injure his leg during a victory over Nate Diaz in August and his status remains unclear.
New York was the last state to lift a ban on professional mixed martial arts events earlier this year. UFC 205 will mark the organization’s first visit to the state since the sport became legal again, though several events have been held across the river in New Jersey.
Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj
