“Sign the damn deal, let’s get this done.”
Despite having his hopes of a life-changing fight against Conor McGregor dashed, last summer, Donald Cerrone is confident his will be the opponent for The Notorious’ latest UFC comeback.
Cowboy has the most career wins in the UFC but has faltered, four times [thrice in WEC], whenever a belt was on the line. Heading into last summer, the veteran was on a three-fight win streak that included, in May, a win over former lightweight title challenger Al Iaquinta.
Aside from his December 2015 UFC lightweight bout with then-champion Rafael Dos Anjos, this was the hottest Cerrone’s iron ever was. And he was keen to strike.
Back in January, after Cerrone secured a TKO win over Alexander Hernandez, McGregor tweeted, ‘For a fight like that Donald, I’ll fight you. Congratulations.’
With all the grace in the world, Cerrone accepted. There were hold-ups, however.
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McGregor was keen to fight the 36-year-old but there was a hold-up when the UFC refused to countenance that bout being a pay-per-view headliner. McGregor dug his heels in and the prospects of a fight went south.
Donald Cerrone was tired of waiting and took on Al Iaquinta but told McGregor he would be ready, willing and able for a July fight. He was on the list of potential comeback opponents with Anthony Pettis and Justin Gaethje also in the mix. McGregor then broke bones in his hand and his return was delayed again.
Cerrone, in an interview with MMA Junkie Radio, bemoaned the fact that the Dubliner had ‘turned me down three or four other times now’.
There has been a significant development on the McGregor end, however. During a media blitz in Russia, the 31-year-old announced he would fight again at UFC 246 in Las Vegas on January 18th 2020. In an interview with TMZ, Cowboy commented:
“I think it’s going to happen this time, I really do. Conor is really serious about making a comeback.”
“Conor’s side and our team have both reached out and are trying to figure it out,” Cerrone added. “Looking good, though.
“This is going to be a huge fight, a huge money-maker. I don’t understand why UFC wouldn’t want to be engaged in it. Conor would be pumped on it, I’m pumped on it. It’s the fight everyone wants to watch. He’s the best in the business at talking sh**, so it should be fun. We’ll see how crazy he gets. It’s gonna be a fun fight. He’s a great fighter… Sign the damn deal, let’s get this done!”
Khabib Nurmagomedov will surely (fifth time lucky) defending his 155 lbs strap against Tony Ferguson, in his next bout.
McGregor will most likely have to prove he is back and that he means business if he is to get against The Eagle that he so craves.
