Donald Cerrone is hoping to land a big rematch with streaking lightweight contender Tony Ferguson later this year.
Cerrone, who had returned to 155 pounds in 2019 to capture back-to-back wins, dropped a second-round TKO loss to “El Cucuy” at UFC 238 this past June. The fan-friendly matchup ended in an indecisive manner as Cerrone’s badly damaged eye forced an early doctor’s stoppage, but Ferguson was getting the best of “Cowboy” through the first two rounds.
Despite the outcome, though, fight fans have already voiced their need for a rematch between the two lightweights. After all, Cerrone and Ferguson are two of the most entertaining fighters in UFC today and didn’t quite finish their business inside of the Octagon last month.
Cerrone, who hadn’t lost a fight at lightweight since getting finished by then champion Rafael dos Anjos back in 2015, agrees with the masses and is doing everything in his power to get another crack at Ferguson’s ongoing 12-fight win streak.
“Tony Ferguson rematch, I’m begging for it,” Cerrone told MMA Junkie Radio. “August, hopefully no later than September. I can’t fight any later than September, because now I’m running into not being able to get two more at the end of the year.”
Ferguson, who hasn’t lost since dropping a decision to Michael Johnson back in 2012, is hoping to land a title shot later this year, and certainty deserves to get one. But with current UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov scheduled to fight interim titleholder Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 this September, and other contenders like Conor McGregor and Justin Gaethje jostling for their own shot at UFC gold, “El Cucuy” may be open to a reboot with Cerrone for the time being.
Cerrone sure hopes Ferguson takes the bait and UFC books a rematch they seem to be interested in making, especially considering “Cowboy” has been unable to land a much-anticipated showdown with the aforementioned McGregor.
“The funny thing is, when Diaz fought McGregor (at UFC 202), I just fought, and I was flying on that Sunday, and they called me and were like, ‘Hey, do you want the McGregor fight?’ So he turned me down back then, turned me down three or four other times now. It’s crazy to me,” Cerrone said.
“His last fight, we were supposed to do it, and it just deteriorated. I don’t know, he just won’t sign his end of the deal.”
While Cerrone is unlikely to land a money fight with “Notorious” coming off a loss, it would be justifiable if the UFC veteran lands an immediate rematch with Ferguson this summer. But if Cerrone’s wishes aren’t granted we’re sure he’ll be happy fighting anyone the promotion throws in front of him.
What say you, Maniacs? Who should Cerrone fight next?