Rededicated ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone vows to end career spiral

PHOENIX – Donald Cerrone is decided to carry his six-fight winless skid to an finish towards Joe Lauzon at UFC 274.

Cerrone (36-16 MMA, 23-13 UFC), who holds a share of the record for most wins in UFC history, amongst different notable feats, has fallen on laborious occasions lately. He hasn’t received a struggle since Could 2019, and the outcomes have been getting progressively extra definitive towards him.

“Cowboy” has taken simply shy of 1 12 months away from competitors as he makes an attempt to recalibrate, and he stated he’s left no stone unturned going into fights now. Cerrone stated he left the “BMF Ranch” in Albuquerque, N.M., and lived in his R.V. immediately exterior the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. That’s allowed him to place all his focus into beating Lauzon (28-15 MMA, 15-12 UFC).

“There’s not one field unchecked – I did every part I needed to do,” Cerrone informed reporters, together with MMA Junkie, at Wednesday’s UFC 274 media day. “Let’s do every part that I have to do to achieve success, so there’s no questions in my thoughts, ‘Shoulda, woulda, might’ve.’ Let’s do what I wanted to do to get to the UFC again within the day. Let’s earn your maintain. Let’s be right here. Let all people know you f*cking belong right here.”

Cerrone admits he didn’t take the right steps to organize himself accordingly for latest fights. He obtained complacent after 37 octagon appearances, and nobody would’ve blamed him if he determined his tenure within the sport was over given latest outcomes.

He wasn’t prepared to exit that approach, although, and Cerrone stated he has no need to permit his profession to finish in an unsightly method, and needs to alter the narrative at UFC 274.

“I’ve nothing else to show,” Cerrone stated. “I’ve set information. I’ve been right here. I’ve stayed right here. I’ve accomplished what I wanted to do. I have a look at myself within the mirror – I’m right here for legacy now. That is only for me. I don’t have to fret about impressing anybody anymore. That’s accomplished. I’m on the age now the place you want me should you don’t, I don’t give a f*ck. That is for legacy.

“I need to look myself within the mirror and be like, ‘You probably did every part you would and that’s why I’m nonetheless right here.’ The place the final two years, I did nothing I needed to do. I’d simply go to coach. I’m not making f*cking excuses, I simply didn’t do what I have to do. Preparation is a direct truth of what my profession has spiraled into. So it’s time to rectify that struggle for legacy child.”

UFC 274 takes place Saturday at Footprint Middle. The principle card, which opens with Cerrone vs. Lauzon, airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

Between them, Cerrone and Lauzon have a mixed 33 fight-night bonuses within the UFC. They’re two of the good motion fighters within the historical past of the light-weight division, and Cerrone intends to reside as much as that popularity another time.

“I can’t consider Joe and I’ve by no means met all through the years earlier than,” Cerrone stated. “After they supplied a reputation, I known as Joe, ‘Let’s do that.’”