UFC Legend’s Big Reveal: ‘I’m Coming in Hot’

Donald Cerrone

Getty Conor McGregor (L) blocks a kick from Donald Cerrone in a welterweight bout during UFC246 at T-Mobile Arena on January 18, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

UFC legend Donald Cerrone is “coming in hot” next year as he plans on returning to the UFC lightweight division in 2021.

“Cowboy” has fought his last three matches at welterweight but according to a recent Instagram post, he will drop back down to the division where he once fought for UFC gold.

On Saturday, Cerrone wrote, “2021 I’m coming in hot. Back to lightweight, Back on a mission!! Back to setting Records.”

At 37 years old, Cowboy is as battle tested as they come. Cerrone has a professional mixed martial arts record of 36-15-1 and one no-contest.

Although he has the most wins in UFC history, 23, Cowboy hasn’t picked up a victory since defeating Al Iaquinta in May 2019. He is 0-4-1 in his last five bouts, most recently fighting Niko Price to a draw in September.

Cerrone is currently ranked No. 15 in the lightweight division.

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Cerrone Was Working His Way Toward a Lightweight Title Shot in 2019

Cowboy is no stranger to the lightweight division and less than two years ago, he was at the top of the division.

In January 2019, Cerrone moved down from 170 pounds to 155 pounds and finished Alexander Hernandez via second-round TKO. The victory earned him a headlining spot opposite Al Iaquinta, who was 6-1 in his last seven with his sole loss coming at the hands of Khabib Nurmagomrdov.

Cowboy turned in one of the best performances of his career, defeating Iaquinta by unanimous decision in May 2019, cementing himself at the top of the division. However, that would be his last victory up to this date. He went on to lose to lightweights Justin Gaethje and Tony Ferguson by TKO before moving back up to welterweight. He then lost to Conor McGregor by TKO and Anthony Pettis by decision at welterweight.

As mentioned previously, Cerrone fought Price to a draw in his most recent bout.

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Cowboy Holds Multiple Records in the UFC, Including Most Bouts & Wins

Cerrone is a massive fan favorite who holds multiple records in the promotion. Cowboy, who owns the record for the most UFC bouts, 36, has a promotional record of 23-12-1. He holds notable victories over the likes of Edson Barboza, Eddie Alvarez, Benson Henderson and Mike Perry.

As mentioned earlier in the article, Cerrone has the record for most wins in the UFC, with 23. He also has the record for the most Performance bonuses. Cerrone has earned three Knockout of the Night bonuses, two Submission of the Night bonuses, six Fight of the Night Bonuses and seven Performance of the Night Bonuses.

He has fought for UFC gold once, taking on then-lightweight champ Rafael dos Anjos in December 2015. Cowboy lost the fight by first-round TKO. He also fought for the undisputed lightweight championship in World Extreme Cagefighting twice and the interim belt once.

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