Donald Cerrone Plans Return to Lightweight With Less Demanding Fight Schedule

After the first three-fight losing streak of his professional career, Donald Cerrone is returning to 155 pounds.

“Cowboy” revealed his plans, which also include a less frequent fight itinerary, during a recent appearance on "The Fighter and the Kid" podcast. Cerrone moved to welterweight in 2016 and emerged as a person of interest in the division during a four-fight winning streak that included triumphs over Patrick Cote, Rick Story and Matt Brown. However, the Jackson-Wink MMA standout has since dropped three in a row — two via KO/TKO — after never losing two straight in his first 40 MMA bouts.

“I’m there five [more] years,” Cerrone said. “I’m going back to 155. I’m only 175, I’ve been waking up at 175 everyday so it’s like pffft, I’m fine. I’m more focused. At 170, I can just not train and f—k off. I put more into it at 155 so let’s do it, let’s have a couple more fights. I probably won’t take 20 a year anymore. I’m probably gonna take it down a little bit.”

It remains to be seen if Cerrone, consistently one of the promotion’s most active competitors, will be able to maintain a scaled-back schedule. Whether at lightweight or welterweight, the 34-year-old has always been willing to take on all comers. His recent skid came against top competition, including a respected veteran (Jorge Masvidal), a former champion (Robbie Lawler) and a top prospect (Darren Till).

Till, a massive welterweight who checks in at around 200 pounds on fight night, was the least known commodity of the three, and Cerrone admitted he wasn’t familiar with his opponent prior to their bout. That changed after UFC Fight Night 118, when Till dispatched “Cowboy” just 4:20 into the opening round.

“It wasn’t any disrespect to him, I just honestly had no idea [who he was] but I have a very clear understanding who Darren f—-ing Till is now. . .” Cerrone said.

“He was a big boy. He hit really hard, right in my nose, and I was like, ‘Don’t do it again! Not in the face! Not in the face!’”

Cerrone’s last lightweight appearance came at UFC on Fox 17, when he was stopped by Rafael dos Anjos 66 seconds into the first frame of their championship bout. The Colorado native compiled a 15-4 mark at 155 pounds, with notable wins over the likes of Benson Henderson, Eddie Alvarez, Edson Barboza, Jim Miller, Jeremy Stephens and Melvin Guillard, to name a few.