Donald Cerrone is the best example of a fighter who never claimed a world title but yet merits inclusion in the UFC Hall of Fame.
He’ll be moving there this summer since “Cowboy” is the newest member of the class that will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2023.
The promotion revealed that Cerrone (36-17 MMA, 23-14 UFC), who for many years held UFC records for fights, wins, finishes, and bonuses, will be inducted during the UFC Hall of Fame ceremony during July’s International Fight Week events in Las Vegas. The announcement was made during Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 43 broadcast in San Antonio.
“’Cowboy’ Cerrone is one of the best lightweights in UFC history,” UFC president Dana White said after the announcement.
’Cowboy’ consistently fought the best of the best for over a decade inside the octagon and set a ton of records in the process. He was also a complete savage who would fight anyone at any time. He is a true legend, and it will be an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame as part of International Fight Week,” he said in a recent speech.
After a significant stint under the now-defunct WEC banner, where he unsuccessfully sought the title, Cerrone, 39, made his octagon debut in February 2011. Cerrone’s time with the company got off to a good start because he prevailed in six of his first seven UFC contests.
From that point on, the American would spend the better part of a decade being the most active and possibly most intriguing fighter on the team. In his way to his first UFC title chance, Cerrone defeated notable opponents like Charles Oliveira, Jeremy Stephens, Edson Barboza, Eddie Alvarez, Jim Miller, and Benson Henderson.
Following an eight-fight winning streak, Cerrone was given the opportunity to face Rafael dos Anjos for the lightweight championship at UFC on FOX 17 in December 2015, but things did not work out for him. With a 66-second Knockout loss, Cerrone came up short and cemented a career-long narrative that he had trouble winning the toughest fights.
In the welterweight class, Cerrone had a run that included several notable victories and finishes, but things started to wane in 2017. In his final 15 fights, Cerrone would triumph just four times, including seven straight losses prior to his final battle at UFC 276 in July 2022.
Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje, Tony Ferguson, and Anthony Pettis were among the most known fighters in MMA history that were defeated during that losing streak.
Cerrone’s career had a difficult finale, but that didn’t lessen the impact he had. He will now be honored for his achievements in the UFC Hall of Fame. His level of activity and fighting style inspired a generation to “be like ‘Cowboy’”.
When his induction was announced, Cerrone had the third-most bouts (38), second-most wins (23), second-most finishes (16), and joint-most bonuses in UFC history (18).
Cerrone will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2023 together with Anderson Silva, Jose Aldo, and Jens Pulver.
