On Thursday afternoon it was revealed the UFC has booked the lightweight title fight rematch between reigning champion Rafael dos Anjos and fan favorite Donald Cerrone for the main event of UFC on FOX 17 in December. FOX Sports was the first to report the news.

Dos Anjos (23-7), who defeated Cerrone in their initial meeting at UFC Fight Night 27 in August 2013, earned his belt with a 25-minute dismantling of former champion Anthony Pettis at UFC 185 in March.  He previously earned his shot at the belt after picking up wins eight of his last nine bouts, including three straight.

Prior to his winning gold, the Brazilian walked away with a dominant unanimous decision over Nat Diaz in the co-main event of UFC on FOX 13. This win snapped his two fight stoppage win streak after walking away with back-to-back knockouts over Jason Hight and former champion Benson Hendreson. To date his last professional loss is a unanimous decision to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC on FOX 11 in April. He will enter this bout with 12 career stoppage wins, including eight by submission, and a UFC record of 12-5.

Cerrone (28-6) will be looking to earn his ninth straight win inside the Octagon since losing to dos Anjos. In his most recent efforts, ‘Cowboy’ broke John Makdessi’s jaw with a headkick late in the second round of their UFC 187 matchup, earning a TKO in the process. Prior to this win, the Jackson-Winkeljohn product earned a razor-thin unanimous decision over former Henderson in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 59 in January.

This victory marked Cerrone’s third straight win by decision after reach the judges scorecards in wins over then undefeated Myles Jury and former Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez. Cerrone had previously rattled off four straight stoppage victories before these two decision, earning a post fight bonus in each of them. He currently holds 20 career stoppage wins, including 15 by way of submission, and a UFC record of 14-3.

UFC on FOX 17 is currently set to take place Dec. 19 at the Amway Center in Orlando. This will mark the final event of the UFC’s 2015 calendar.

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José began his career as a mixed martial arts journalist while still enrolled at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University. Since graduating in May 2013, he has attended dozens of high profile UFC fight cards as a credentialed member of the media, providing live cage side coverage through his articles and videos. His work has appeared on UFC.com, ArizonaSports.com and AZCentral. He is also currently one of the main contributors on Power MMA Show at Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, one of the first all MMA radio shows on a major radio station.