Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Despite lasting just 40 seconds in his recent main event clash with Conor McGregor at UFC 246 earlier this year, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone is looking to get back in the saddle quicker than ever.
Cerrone, who hasn’t captured a victory inside of the Octagon since a decision win over Al Iaquinta back in 2019, is preparing to challenge former UFC lightweight champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis in a 170-pound bout at UFC 249 on May 9 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. It will be a rematch years in the making as Pettis defeated Cerrone via first-round TKO (body kick) at UFC on FOX 6 back in 2013.
As one of the most popular fighters of all time and a veteran who owns almost every single major UFC record, fight fans are interested in seeing how Cerrone performs in his return to action. Cerrone’s team believes he’s ready to dominate in his rematch with Pettis, but the verdict is still out considering “Cowboy” lasted just 40 seconds in the biggest fight of his storied career.
If Cerrone is able to take care of business at UFC 249 and hand Pettis his third-straight loss then the veteran will be looking to make one of the quickest turnarounds of his career. That’s because “Cowboy” is aiming to fight on all three of UFC’s upcoming cards in Jacksonville, which are scheduled to all take place within one week of each other.
Cowboy gonna Cowboy
(via @bokamotoESPN) pic.twitter.com/PaIdkFnU2V
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) April 30, 2020
“I’m going to go in there and win this fight and say, ‘Hey Dana, you got anybody lined up for Wednesday? Because I’m going to stay here in the RV.’ I want to be the first fighter to bang three fights out in a week,” Cerrone recently told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto (shown above).
Did you honestly expect anything less from the all-time leader in UFC fights, wins, finishes and post-fight bonuses?
Cerrone, 37, will be competing at UFC 249 as a welterweight for just the second time since defeating Mike Perry via submission back in 2018. “Cowboy” seems to be back to his usual self leading into his intriguing return, but Pettis has shown glimpses of greatness at 170 pounds and should make things entertaining to close out UFC 249’s “Prelims.”
For complete UFC 249 fight card news click here.