Should 'Cowboy' Cerrone Get a Few More Rides in the UFC?

White understands Cerrone’s desire to return. He is even willing to help him make money another way. But MMA breaking news shows that White would rather it be in some other fashion than taking on a few more fights to hit an obscure record.

“Every time we’re at a show when you show ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone on the screen, the place goes nuts,” White said during a press conference last Tuesday. “He’s beloved. He’s beloved because the guy goes to war, and he’s been in wars for years. It’s time to not go to war anymore, man. There’s nothing left to prove for him.”

Cerrone has a professional record of 36-17. During his career, Cerrone picked up 17 wins by submission and 10 by knockout. However, Cerrone was on the end of some brutal beatings as well.

Cerrone was knocked out eight times over the course of his career. White would like to figure something else out.

“It’s just for what?” White asked the assembled media. “What’s left to prove? If you want to make money, let’s figure something else out. I hate it. When guys retire, they retire for a reason. They retire because they know it’s over. I think that – not just this sport but any professional sport, it’s hard to walk away from. Not just the money, that’s obviously a very hard part of it, but the feeling of walking out of that tunnel, the feeling of getting in the cage, and the place is packed.”

Why Does Cerrone Want to Return?

Cerrone announced his intentions to return during a post on Instagram. One of the more interesting tidbits was his reasoning for stepping away. Cerrone wanted to get his hair done and get on steroids. Cerrone, if he does find a way to convince the UFC to let him come back, would need to wean himself off the performance enhancing drugs before he came back.

While the UFC did recently move away from having USADA as its drug-testing team, there are still procedures in place to keep fighters from using certain drugs. Cerrone, who has 48 appearances between the UFC and WEC, would like to make two more walks to reach what he considers a milestone number.

Not All Fighters Are Happy About His Admissions

Former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier has always respected Cerrone’s honesty. But the best MMA news site shows that Cormier doesn’t want Cerrone returning after his admission of steroid use. While the opinions about steroid use have changed over the years, there is still a stigma involved with using them.

Cormier also had an issue during his career with failed drug tests impacting potential legacy fights. Jon Jones had a hard time staying clean during their rivalry. One of Jones’ wins over Cormier was vacated and another postponed due to failed tests.

Wonderboy Says He’s In

It’s hard to know who would even be a good matchup for Cerrone at this point in his career. Cerrone’s skills had diminished well before he retired, and it was clear he couldn’t handle the top guys anymore. With all due respect to Miller, who is a long-time UFC veteran as well, Cerrone was losing to another journeyman at the end of his career.

Stephen Thompson, a former welterweight title challenger, has said he would be willing to fight Cerrone. Thompson and Cerrone are the same age, but Thompson is still an active fighter. However, Thompson is inching closer to the same spot as Cerrone.

Thompson has lost consecutive fights and four of his last five. During Thompson’s last appearance, he was punched into next week by Joaquin Buckley. Thompson’s time left in the UFC may be short.

How Will Cerrone’s Career Be Remembered?

Cerrone debuted in the UFC in August 2013 with a decision loss to Rafael dos Anjos. However, Cerrone quickly rebounded to put together an extended streak of wins. Cerrone won eight straight and earned a title shot following a TKO win via head kick over John Makdessi.

When Cerrone got his opportunity to reach the top of the mountain, he faced off with dos Anjos. While many people thought this fight would take some time to get going like their first fight did, it was the worst-case scenario for Cerrone.

Dos Anjos caught Cerrone with a nasty combination 45 seconds into the bout that he never recovered from. Cerrone attempted to back away and clear his mind, but dos Anjos stayed on top of him. He was able to secure top position and finish the fight with ground and pound. Following the loss in the title fight, Cerrone went on another four-fight winning streak. Knockout losses to Jorge Masvidal and Darren Till halted his momentum.

Cerrone spent the rest of his career as an exciting veteran gatekeeper but never found the same level of success as he did early in his career.