UFC introduced that former WEC and UFC light-weight Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone might be inducted into the UFC Corridor of Fame’s ‘Trendy Wing’ as a member of the Class of 2023. The 2023 UFC Corridor of Fame Induction Ceremony, offered by Toyo Tires®, will happen on Thursday, July 6, at T-Cell Area in Las Vegas. The occasion might be streamed reside an completely on UFC FIGHT PASS.
“Cowboy Cerrone is likely one of the greatest lightweights in UFC historical past,” UFC President Dana White stated. “Cowboy persistently fought the most effective of the most effective for over a decade contained in the Octagon and set a ton of data within the course of. He was additionally a whole savage who would combat anybody at any time. He’s a real legend, and will probably be an honor to induct him into the UFC Corridor of Fame as a part of Worldwide Battle Week.”
Cerrone will enter the UFC Corridor of Fame as a member of the Trendy Wing, becoming a member of others on this distinguished class, together with Forrest Griffin (2013), BJ Penn (2015), Urijah Faber (2017), Ronda Rousey (2018), Michael Bisping (2019), Rashad Evans (2019), Georges St-Pierre (2020), Khabib Nurmagomedov (2022), Daniel Cormier (2022) and Jose Aldo (2023). The “Trendy Period” class contains athletes who turned professional on or after November 17, 2000 (when the primary UFC occasion below the unified guidelines of MMA was held), are a minimal age of 35, or who’ve been retired for one yr or extra.
A veteran of 55 fights throughout his 16-year skilled MMA profession, Cowboy compiled a file of 36-17 (2 NC), securing victories over UFC veterans Jim Miller and Edson Barboza, former WEC light-weight champions Rob McCullough and Jamie Varner, former UFC light-weight champions Charles Oliveiraand Eddie Alvarez, and former WEC and UFC light-weight champion Benson Henderson.
Cerrone made his skilled MMA debut on February 11, 2006, as a part of Ring of Fireplace 21, submitting his opponent, former UFC light-weight Nate Mohr, by way of triangle choke within the first spherical. Cowboy would win his subsequent six fights throughout three MMA promotions, earlier than becoming a member of World Excessive Cagefighting as an undefeated light-weight with a 7-0 file.
Donald made his WEC debut on September 5, 2007, on the prelims of WEC® 30: McCULLOUGH vs. CRUNKILTON, which happened on the Laborious Rock Resort and On line casino in Las Vegas. Cowboy’s 56-second submission victory (triangle choke) over Kenneth Alexander can be overturned and recategorized as a no contest, however he would safe victories in his subsequent two fights over Danny Castillo and Rob McCullough to earn a shot to win the WEC light-weight title towards Jamie Varner in the principle occasion of WEC 38.
WEC® 38: VARNER vs. CERRONE happened on January 25, 2009, on the San Diego Sports activities Area in San Diego, Calif., and served as Cowboy’s first headlining occasion as knowledgeable blended martial artist. Jamie and Donald placed on an incredible combat that may go the gap, with Varner successful by way of break up determination.
Though that was his first loss below the WEC banner, Cowboy would bounce again by successful 4 of his subsequent six bouts, together with his rematch with Varner, earlier than the group was absorbed by Zuffa.
Over the subsequent 5 years, Cerrone would win 19 of his subsequent 23 fights, changing into some of the persistently lively and beloved contenders within the UFC light-weight division. He would proceed to combat the most important names in each the light-weight and welterweight divisions through the remaining six years of his profession. He retired in July 2022 after a loss to Jim Miller at UFC 276.
Cerrone enters the UFC Corridor of Fame with a powerful resume that features:
UFC / WEC:
Most finishes in UFC / WEC historical past mixed – 20
Most wins in UFC / WEC historical past mixed – 29
UFC:
Most KO / TKO by kick in UFC historical past – 7
Most knockdowns in UFC historical past – 20
Tied for second-most finishes in UFC historical past – 16
Tied for second-most wins in UFC historical past – 23
Third most fights in UFC historical past – 38
UFC light-weight division:
Second-most wins in UFC light-weight historical past – 17
Tied for second-most knockdowns in UFC light-weight historical past – 11
Tied for fourth-most finishes in UFC light-weight historical past – 10
Fifth-most important strikes landed in UFC light-weight historical past – 1,127
Exterior the Octagon, Cerrone has been honored with a number of awards throughout his profession, together with being acknowledged by the Fighters Solely World MMA Awards because the Breakthrough Fighter of the 12 months in 2011, and receiving Battle of the 12 months honors by Sports activities Illustrated and Sherdog.com for his 2009 combat towards Benson Henderson for the interim WEC light-weight title.
A local of Denver, Colo., Cowboy started his martial arts profession by coaching in kickboxing and Muay Thai. Cerrone holds an undefeated 28-0-1 file as knowledgeable Muay Thai artist and competed in skilled boxing. He presently resides in Edgewood, New Mexico, along with his spouse, Lindsay, and three sons.
