:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47247084/ufc141faceoffs.0.png)
Donald Cerrone is still hearing about his 2011 loss to Nate Diaz.
In arguably the marquee performance of his career, Diaz battered Cerrone over three rounds to score a unanimous decision victory in the co-main event at UFC 141.
"The Diaz brothers have the most incredible following," Cerrone told UFC commentator Joe Rogan Tuesday on his podcast. "Almost as incredible as the Conor McGregor following. His cult is unbelievable. 'He'll beat your ass again.' Well, bring his ass on because I'm ready whenever."
Cerrone has bigger fish to fry at the moment as he prepares to challenge lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos at UFC on Fox 17 on Dec. 19 in Orlando, Florida.
"I'm not making any [excuses]," Cerrone said of the loss the Diaz. "He got in my head. Absolutely. That s**t don't happen anymore. Everyone tells me, 'Conor's in your head. Dos Anjos is in your head.' No the f**k they're not. It was a super lesson.
"I fought out of anger. I sucked that night. That's all there is to it. No excuses. Mother f***er beat me."
Cerrone and Diaz had a bit of a beef going into the fight stemming from an incident where "Cowboy" tried to shake hands at an open workout. Diaz then slapped the hat clear off Cerrone's head at the pre-fight presser. Adding further insult, Diaz missed weight by coming in a pound over the allotted lightweight limit.
At the time, Cerrone said the anger would motivate him in the fight.
"I fight good, pissed off," Cerrone said pre-fight. "When people piss me off, I like that. You wanna talk s**t to me? You're just going to enrage me and piss me off. So feed my f***ing flame. Let's go, motherf***er."
Now with a few years to reflect, Cerrone admits he's actually quite fond of the brothers from Stockton.
"As much as he talked, I like those guys," Cerrone said of the Diaz brothers. "I really do, because there is no front on them at all. What you see is what you get. If I were to run into the Diaz brothers out in the street, we're fucking throwing down. No question. That's just who they are. It's not like they put on this big persona.
"That's who they are 24/7. It's awesome, to me. I've got nothing but respect for both of them. I'd have a drink with them right now. I don't have any animosity or anger or hate toward either one of them. I'd hang out with both of them. It sucks that Nick is in trouble with this whole marijuana thing."
5 MUST-READ STORIES
'He might be just a little bit punchy.' Duane Ludwig responds to Urijah Faber's accusations.
'She's like me, only a girl.' Nick Diaz hopes UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey doesn't get in trouble for her anti-NAC comments in his defense.
Not great. Bellator does 800,000 viewers for its first installment of Dynamite. "The number was actually below the average of 892,000 viewers for Scott Coker's first year at the helm of the company."
'Open your eyes!' Cris Cyborg fires shot at Ronda Rousey and the UFC in wake of Vitor Belfort's reportedly failed drug test.
'His draw, his value in Japan is monumental.' Josh Barnett isn't surprised whatsoever to see Fedor Emelianenko return to fight in Japan.
MEDIA STEW
Josh Barnett on his favorite PRIDE moment.
Inside MMA's highlights from around the world.
Anthony Pettis is still interested in featherweight fights with Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor.
What to watch at Bellator 143: Joe Warren vs. LC Davis.
B.J. Penn almost fought Robbie Lawler.
Free Fight: Johny Hendricks vs Martin Kampmann.
Long watches.
If I Did It: UFC covered for Belfort? Faber vs Bang, Fedor & the Yakuza
....
TWEETS
Busy day.
Got the great opportunity to train with this giant. @blakegriffin32 Ol boy got some moves. Heavyweights watch out pic.twitter.com/hQj1jWpO8b
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) September 22, 2015
Clean.
— Demetrious Johnson (@MightyMouseUFC) September 23, 2015
Beef.
@Unclecreepymma get out, I've been through that phase
— John Lineker (@johnlineker) September 22, 2015
Alright, I'll give you the "W"... For Wahhhh. #growUp @ Lauzon Mixed Martial Arts https://t.co/f17wDlBRWp
— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) September 23, 2015
Get well soon.
Doctor visit today the stitches are out five more weeks until I get the pins out https://t.co/OvQhLSMy8J
— Melvin Guillard (@Young__Assassin) September 22, 2015
My ear infection I'm battling makes this pertinent https://t.co/BpzNut6Qpr
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) September 23, 2015
Bad news: http://t.co/ALE9nYVzLc
— King Mo (@KingMoFH) September 23, 2015
Cuttin'.
Lets go dance class!!! Partiu aula de dança .. Osss #cuttingweight #140lbs pic.twitter.com/5cVzNHcBn5
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) September 23, 2015
Interested?
@bethecorreia If @MieshaTate doesn't want to fight you, I have no problem stepping in. @danawhite @seanshelby @ufc
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) September 23, 2015
.@ufc @danawhite @seanshelby @joerogan @danhardymma If Dan would allow me the honor, I would love to welcome him back in the octagon.
— Siyar Bahadurzada (@Siyarized) September 22, 2015
Fear the fighter?
@JohnMakdessiMMA John. Can you contact me please. We need to talk.
— michael (@bisping) September 23, 2015
The wrestler question.
Talking to the Romanian press about my MMA debut I'll be making in RXF the 19 of Oct #mma #StartAskingQuestions pic.twitter.com/GTWifdvUgp
— Rico Verhoeven (@RicoVerhoeven) September 22, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Sept. 22 2015)
Michael Chandler vs. David Rickels at Bellator 145
Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we'll include it in tomorrow's column.
Get the latest gear
Loading comments...