For the better part of six years, Donald Cerrone was a world-class lightweight. He was a perennial contender in the WEC, and he remained one of the best in the world at the weight class up until he challenged for the UFC title in 2015. Cerrone came up short in that fight and afterwards, with limited prospects for another title shot anytime soon, he made the move up a weight division where he immediately was very successful, rattling off four wins and finding himself on the cusp of a title eliminator bout.
Recently though, things have taken a bad turn for Cerrone who has lost his last three fights in a row, and with his career once again at crossroads, it appears “Cowboy” intends to ride back down a familiar path: the UFC lightweight division.
Speaking recently on The Fighter and the Kid podcast about what is next for his fighting career, Cerrone said that he intends to fight five more years but that he would be returning to the division where he made his bones.
“I’m there five [more] years,” said Cerrone. “I’m going back to 155. I’m only 175, I’ve been waking up at 175 everyday so it’s like pffft, I’m fine. I’m more focused. At 170, I can just not train and f**k off. I put more into it at 155 so let’s do it, let’s have a couple more fights. I probably won’t take 20 a year anymore. I’m probably gonna take it down a little bit.”
Cerrone’s built his reputation as the most active fighter on the UFC roster. Despite only joining the UFC in 2011, he already ranks among the very top in most fights, wins, finishes, and bonuses in UFC history. His willingness to fight anyone, anywhere, anytime has earned him innumerable fans but it has also irked his coaches who have campaigned against the frequency with which Cerrone fights, saying that it stunts his potential.
The move back to lightweight and the decision to lessen his workload seems like he may have finally accepted his coach’s advice. It also comes at a good time as Cerrone is on the first losing streak of his career and has suffered to brutal defeats in his last three bouts. The loss that has precipitate his return to lightweight was a first-round destruction at the hands of surging welterweight contender Darren Till, a fighter Cerrone admitted to having never heard of before he stepped in the cage against him. Now though, Cerrone says he’s well aware of who Till is and it seems like that loss may have precipitated the return to 155.
“It wasn’t any disrespect to him, I just honestly had no idea [who he was] but I have a very clear understanding who Darren f**king Till is now. . .
“He was a big boy. He hit really hard, right in my nose, and I was like, ‘Don’t do it again! Not in the face! Not in the face!’”
Till is huge for the welterweight division and said he entered the cage against Cerrone at nearly 200 pounds. Considering that, it’s understandable that Cerrone might want to return to fighting men his own size, even if he has previously said his body feels “thin and brittle” at 155 pounds.
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Death. Justin Gaethje says he’s ready to “take Eddie Alvarez’s life” at UFC 218.
Quit. Eddie Alvarez says Dustin Poirier quit at UFC 211.
Future. Francis Ngannou believes a title shot is a no-brainer with win over Alistair Overeem.
VIDEO STEW
Embedded 4.
KO of the week.
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LISTEN UP
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Before the Battle. Breaking down every fight from the UFC double header.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Statement.
Nate.
Stay ready.
Everyone hated on me for losing to Nicco. Now she’s fighting for the title.
— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) November 30, 2017
Everyone gave me shit for thinking I’d fight Barb. I fight Barb tomorrow.
Everyone thought I was an ass for being ready if Sijara missed weight. She missed. I was ready.
Life’s funny. #MysticMurphy
Mick had a rough day yesterday.
I need a nap
— Mick Maynard (@Mickmaynard2) November 30, 2017
That’s settled then.
I am in full support of @AngelaMagana1 having her dog walkout with her. I love dogs. Let the pitbull enjoy the walkout experience. #doglivesmatter
— Amanda Bobby Cooper (@ABCnation115) November 30, 2017
Suga.
Idk what I’m more excited to smoke , Terrion or a joint .
— Sean O'Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) November 23, 2017
Dustin doesn’t think much of Eddie’s “he quit” comments.
Edward is a bitch
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) November 30, 2017
Except by then Gus will be back.
Oedzmir deserves the shot. But whoever wins, I want the next shot.
— Ovince Saint Preux (@003_OSP) December 1, 2017
Usman.
No matter how much winning U do, you never forget this feeling. I guess that’s why you’ve been so silent about me @ColbyCovMMA I understand. Let the continue #Colbymagana pic.twitter.com/vyzDTuZNW8
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) December 1, 2017
Fili’s follow up to his previous sponsorship issues.
USADA.
"USADA's Been Testin'" #AndTheNew #CompeteCleanOrGoHome pic.twitter.com/fHWQ6yyrBt
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) November 30, 2017
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Roxanne Modafferi (21-13) vs. Nicco Montano (4-2); UFC TUF 26 Finale, Dec. 1.
Barb Honchak (10-2) vs. Lauren Murphy (9-3); UFC TUF 26 Finale, Dec. 1.
Jeremy Stephens (26-14) vs. Doo Ho Choi (14-2); UFC St. Louis, Jan. 14.
Derrick Lewis (18-5) vs. Marcin Tybura (16-3); UFC Austin, Feb. 18.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Of course I put up a poll about who was going to become the inaugural women’s flyweight champion yesterday, and of course something happened to render it irrelevant about half way through the day. MMA is always gonna MMA. Knock on wood nothing similar happens today.
Take it easy everyone and enjoy the multitude of fights available to you this weekend (including a sneaky decent Bellator card tonight). See y’all Monday.
EXIT POLL
Poll
Who wins tomorrow?
This poll is closed
-
71%
Holloway
-
25%
Aldo
-
0%
No Contest/Draw
-
3%
MMA gonna MMA and the fight won’t happen.
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