Donald Cerrone Replaces Alvarez, Faces Benson Henderson at UFC Fight Night in Boston

---

Donald Cerrone is hoping the third time truly is the charm.

The UFC announced on Monday evening that “Cowboy” will replace Eddie Alvarez and face Benson Henderson at UFC Fight Night "McGregor vs. Siver" on Jan. 18. It will be a quick turnaround for Cerrone, who just earned a unanimous decision victory over Myles Jury at UFC 182 on Jan. 3.

The UFC Fight Night event takes place at the TD Garden in Boston and is headlined by a featherweight clash between Conor McGregor and Dennis Siver. The evening’s main card will be televised on Fox Sports 1.

Cerrone lost twice to Henderson while the two lightweights were employed by the now-defunct World Extreme Cagefighting promotion. Their first meeting at WEC 43 was one of 2009’s best bouts, with Henderson holding on for a five-round verdict. The rematch occurred less than a year later at WEC 48, where “Smooth” submitted the Jackson-Wink MMA product with a first-round guillotine choke.

More recently, Cerrone has won six straight fights, while Henderson last appeared at UFC Fight Night in Tulsa on Aug. 23, suffering a first-round knockout loss to Rafael dos Anjos.