Alex Morono set to replace Diego Sanchez for Donald Cerrone fight

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Donald Cerrone was originally scheduled to fight the now-released Diego Sanchez

UFC veterans Diego Sanchez and Donald Cerrone were scheduled to fight at UFC Vegas 26. It was also expected to be Sanchez’s farewell fight.

But, things took an unexpected turn after Sanchez was released by the UFC, out of nowhere.

Diego Sanchez is one of the most experienced MMA stars in the UFC
Diego Sanchez in his Welterweight bout against Frank Camacho during UFC 228 at American Airlines Center on September 8, 2018 in Dallas, United States. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

What came as a shock to everyone, ’twas later revealed that the UFC had decided to immediately release the veteran due to his coach Joshua Fabia’s stubborn request to the UFC to hand over Sanchez’s 16-year long medical documents.

The UFC had realized something was fishy, and upon further investigation learned from Sanchez’s lawyer that ‘The Nightmare’ wouldn’t be able to provide full assurance that he wasn’t suffering from any issues.

And hence, he was released. Now, Cerrone was left without an opponent, and after almost a week, Alex Morono has been named as the replacement fighter.

The news was first broken by MMA reporter Contreras Legaspi, and was later confirmed by MMA Fighting.

Alex Morono’s form has been quite worrying of late

Alex Morono last faced Anthony Pettis at UFC Fight Night : Thompson vs Neal, losing the fight via. unanimous decision.

Anthony Pettis defeated Alex Morono
Anthony Pettis kicks Alex Morono in a lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on December 19, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

He had previously beaten Rhys McKee via. unanimous decision the previous month, after coming off a loss against Khaos Williams at UFC 247.

This is not the first time Morono is in a situation where he has won just 1 of his 3 fights. He had already been 1-2 between 2017 and 2018, when he made a resounding come back stitching up three victories on the trot.

He will be hoping to recreate the same, when he takes on ‘Cowboy’.

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