Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone announces retirement at UFC 276, fans call him ‘legend’

Donald Cerrone announced his retirement after losing to Jim Miller at UFC 276 in T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, on Saturday. The 39-year-old, who is one of the most decorated fighters in UFC history, called it a career by placing his gloves and a trademark cowboy hat in the center of the cage after the fight. 

“Thank you, Las Vegas. I’m glad my boys got to be here. Here they come now. I don’t love it anymore, Joe. It’s hard for me to get up (for fights), and this is the longest camp I’ve had in a long time. he told Joe Rogan in his in-cage interview. 

“I’m going to be a movie star, baby. It’s time to bow out. I’ve got to know when. This was the perfect event, man – a sold-out crowd in Las Vegas, talking to you. I’ve got my boys. It was one hell of a career, man. Hopefully one day, I’m in the (UFC) Hall of Fame. Thank you so much, UFC.”

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Cerrone became a professional MMA fighter in 2006. Three years later, he competed for the WEC lightweight title, losing to Jamie Varner. He also fought for an interim title against Benson Henderson the same year but lost a unanimous decision.

After acquiring the WEC in 2011, the UFC added Cerrone to the roster. He reached a title eliminator against Nate Diaz thanks to a six-fight winning streak in 13 months, which he lost by unanimous decision. He then fought 10 times between May 2013 and May 2015, recording a 9-1 record throughout that period.

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Cerrone has a 4-4 record from January 2017 to May 2019 with wins over Yancy Medeiros, Mike Perry, Alexander Hernandez, and Al Iaquinta. The five-round unanimous decision victory over Iaquinta ended up being his last triumph. Six of his previous seven fights ended in losses, and one was a no contest.

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Following this announcement on Saturday, several fans took to social media to thank him for entertaining them and wish him the best for his future. 

“Donald Cerrone retires after such a great career. The man entertained us for so long, good for him to find a different career path that he’s passionate about. Thank you Cowboy,” one person wrote.