OTTAWA, Ont. — After a masterful performance to headline UFC Fight Night: Ottawa, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone won’t be satisfied unless he gets what he thinks he deserves.
The number eight ranked lightweight defeated fourth-ranked Al Iaquinta by unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45 and 49-46) to make it two wins in a row since moving back down to the weight class.
Having won three fights in a row overall, Cerrone believes he is deserving of a shot at UFC gold.
“I feel like I’m the best in the world, like that’s where I belong,” said the 36-year old, in his post-fight media scrum.
“For the UFC not to give me a title shot, I would step back and be thoroughly disappointed. I would be like ‘wow. a guy who’s done all of this for the sport, I don’t trash talk, I go in there and deliver every time and you’re going to overlook me for somebody else?’
“I’d be really upset.”
Though Cerrone emphasized he doesn’t believe that would be the case, he would still be content with a fight against the sport’s most notorious fighter.
“If Conor [McGregor] wants to fight, let’s go,” said the New Mexico native. “Just stylistically and moving towards the title, Conor would make sense.
“I’d wait for the title, if not, it would be for Conor. It would be a fun fight for everybody.”
Since moving to 155 lbs, Cerrone decided to move away from fighting every opponent put in front of him, focusing instead on fights that will bring him closer to the title.
“It used to be I just wanted to fight. When I came back to lightweight I set that goal, it’s what I’m here to do, I’m not messing around,” said the UFC record holder for most victories.
“I’m going to get the belt, I plan on keeping the belt and that’s what I’m here to do.”
The reason behind Cowboy’s change in motivation may be the birth of his son, Dacson Danger. Since the birth, Cerrone has gone undefeated and wants to build a legacy his son can be proud of.
“It’s so cool for me to have him be here and say ‘Man, that was my dad,'” said the main event winner. “To me having all those accolades they throw on the screen and having his dad be the baddest man that ever did this, that’s cool.”
After record number fights for the company, Cerrone’s attributes his growth and new outlook inside the octagon to his age and 13 years of experience.
“It feels good to put things together. Maybe it’s getting older and figuring out how to do things better. I’ve matured.”