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Donald Cerrone Teases Return To UFC: 4 Potential Opponents, Including Nick Diaz

Donald Cerrone
Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Retirement just does not seem to be fitting well for Donald Cerrone.

“Cowboy” has sparked rumors that he is working on a return to the UFC through social media. Cerrone, who retired following a 2022 loss to Jim Miller at UFC 276, said he wants to reach 50 fights for Zuffa before really calling it a career.

“I want to go back and get two more fights,” Cerrone said (thanks to MMA Fighting for the quotes). When I retired, I told you I was getting my hair done and getting on steroids.

Related: UFC To Induct Donald Cerrone Into Hall Of Fame

“The number 50 has been sitting on my mind for a while.”

He added that his desire to fight again comes from “chasing greatness” in the form of having 50 fights inside the Octagon. Also, that he doesn’t just want to win.

“I want a finish,” Cerrone wrote. “I want a bonus.”

Along with reaching that number, Cerrone also wants the “most wins in UFC history, most finishes, most bonuses, most walks to the cage.”

Cerrone continued to address the use of steroids, saying “Well, now I have to come off and piss clean.”

He has talked several times about using TRT in recent years to help with his overall health from the years of battles inside the cage.

The 41-year-old lost his last two, falling to Miller and Alex Morono. He is currently 36-17 overall with 17 wins by submission and 10 by knockout. Last year, Cerrone was selected to the UFC Hall of Fame.

4 Potential Opponents For Donald Cerrone’s UFC Return

nick diaz
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Nick Diaz

Already set to make his own comeback later this year against Vicente Luque, how about a showdown with Cerrone in 2025? It would give Cerrone plenty of time to get “clean” and require the drug tests he needs while also providing Diaz the chance to knock the rust off.

Despite the two sharing the same promotion for years, they never crossed paths.

Tony Ferguson

Many continue to clamor for the retirement of Ferguson, but the former interim UFC champion seems to want to still fight. Between the two, they have faced off against the best of the best. And it would provide Cerrone with the chance to avenge a previous defeat.

Ferguson has lost his last eight fights since his 2019 win over Cerrone. That bout at UFC 238 was awarded “Fight of the Night” as the doctor stopped it after the second round.

Rafael dos Anjos

Another opportunity for Cerrone to avenge a loss, as dos Anjos scored a 2013 victory via decision when the two met and again two years later. That one was stopped in the first round as dos Anjos defended his UFC lightweight championship.

Not many can say they hold two wins over Cerrone, so a third would definitely cement the legacy of RDA, who is coming off two defeats himself.

Jim Miller

How about one more rematch? Honestly, Cerrone and Miller are two guys that most of the MMA world would have no issue watching face each other every six months. Both men give it everything and have been part of some classic battles with the UFC.

It would also settle the score, as Cerrone won the first meeting back in 2014 with a second-round knockout.

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