Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC
Donald Cerrone has renewed hope that a fight with former UFC champ Conor McGregor will actually happen.
Despite past talks that have died, Donald Cerrone is confident a bout with Conor McGregor will come together.
Former UFC lightweight champion McGregor recently announced that he plans to have three fights in 2020, including his return on Jan. 18. McGregor didn’t name an opponent for early next year, but two fighters in the conversation are Justin Gaethje and Cerrone, according to ESPN.
Nothing is official, “Cowboy” said, but the veteran lightweight said he expects McGregor will agree to the fight.
“I think it’s going to happen this time,” Cerrone told TMZ. “I really do. Conor is really serious about making a comeback.”
Cerrone was in talks to fight McGregor this past summer, but “The Notorious” reportedly shut it down because the UFC wanted it to co-headline — not headline — an event. Cerrone was furious at McGregor and eventually gave up on the possibility of the fight happening.
Fast forward a few months, however, and Cerrone has renewed hope.
“I think Conor’s side and our team have both reached out and are trying to figure it out,” Cerrone said. “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-t, so it should be fun. We’ll see how crazy he gets. It’s gonna be a fun fight. He’s a great fighter.”
When asked if he had a message for McGregor, Cerrone just called for the Irishman to do his part to make the fight official.
“Sign the damn deal, let’s get this done,” Cerrone said.