Donald Cerrone announces end to UFC retirement, wants 2 more fights

Retirements in MMA are like the rules. They're nothing more than suggestions.

Add one of the most active fighters in modern UFC history, Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone, to the list of unsurprising short-lived retirements. The UFC Hall of Famer called an end to his career at UFC 276 after a second-round guillotine loss in his July 2022 rematch opposite Jim Miller. Cerrone was inducted into the Modern Wing of UFC's Hall of Fame as part of the 2023 class.

Cerrone, 41, took to Instagram Tuesday to reveal he's planning a return to action. A win for the 55-fight veteran "Cowboy" (36-17, 2 NC) would place him in the win column for the first time since May 2019.

"I’m chasing greatness," Cerrone's post read. "50 [UFC] fights. Not only do I want a win. I want a finish. I want a bonus.

"Most wins in ufc history. Most finishes. Most bonuses. Most walks to that cage."

The No. 50 for Cerrone references his current combined record of 48 total fights between the UFC and WEC brands. However, while Cerrone needs two more bonuses to eclipse former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira's record, Cerrone needs more than two opportunities to pass the aforementioned Miller's records for UFC fights and wins, which stand at 44 and 26 respectively.

Unfortunately for Cerrone, his career didn't go out on a high note as he went 0-6 with one no contest in his final seven UFC appearances. The two-year hiatus has been the longest of Cerrone's career since he debuted in February 2006.

Perhaps the biggest challenge of Cerrone's return won't be the layoff. "Cowboy" hasn't at all been shy about his PED use in life after fighting.

Ultimately, that now has to change, but the bulky Cerrone is ready to prove doubters wrong.

"I want to go back and get two more fights," Cerrone said. "When I retired, I told ya I was getting my hair done and get on steroids.

"The No. 50 been sitting in my mind for a while. Working with Transcend the last two years, taking TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) and a bunch of peptides. Now we've got a protocol for all you people that, 'Oh, what if you get on it you can't ever come off?' Well, I now have to come off and piss clean. Fight in a few months. So watch this."

So, where does that leave Cerrone regarding his options?

The Miller rematch was a welterweight affair and a cut to lightweight feels unnecessary for the veteran's goals. Honestly, a trilogy bout between the two wouldn't be the worst choice as they're now 1-1, with Miller recently dropping a unanimous decision to King Green at UFC 300 in April.

In terms of other rematches, social media has already tossed out the idea of a Tony Ferguson rematch. Coincidentally, Ferguson's last win before his eight-fight losing streak was over Cerrone while Cerrone's winless stretch started with that loss, so it may make perfect sense.