Donald Cerrone says he’s done chasing Conor McGregor fight
In what was once thought as an upcoming entertaining lightweight matchup between a Cowboy and an Irish man, Donald Cerrone is no longer chasing a fight with former lightweight champion Conor McGregor. Although the two have some trash talk history dating back to a few years ago, a fight between the two reportedly fell through because the UFC wanted to make it a co-main event to the displeasure of McGregor, and now Cerrone has given up his chase in the big money fight.
Speaking to the media ahead of his UFC Ottawa main event fight with Al Iaquinta, Cerrone said he’s shifting his focus to getting an opportunity to claim the lightweight title, because that’s where the money is.
“It’s just hard, especially for this fight like I said we’re gonna wait for Conor, he agreed, we’re supposed to have it done, then he said he needed more time and kept on drawing it up so I was like, no not anymore. I love fighting man, I don’t like sitting and waiting. If the fight ever comes to be, I’ll gladly take it. Right now we’re going to chase the belt and that’s the thing I need to do.”
Cerrone would go on to add that while there’s a belief he’d get a luscious payday by fighting McGregor, the new ESPN+ deal changes things for fighter’s pay.
“It’s all about this payday talk, everyone thinks you fight Conor and you get paid. We’re under contract, man and now with this ESPN deal the pay-per-view buys are already done. It’s a big misconception. Conor might get paid, Cowboy maybe get a little bump, but it’s not a $10 million night for me. I need to go get this belt, that’s where the real money is. Aside from the money, I love it. Fighting four-to-five times a year, I enjoy it. I enjoy the training camp, I enjoy [the media], the whole process is fun to me.”
Cowboy Cerrone seems to have his focus set on getting another title opportunity, and if a fight with Conor McGregor was to ever materialize into reality, he sounds ready to accept. First thing first, a fight with Al Iaquinta at UFC Ottawa, and then Cerrone will continue his focus on a potential title shot in the future.
.@CowboyCerrone has moved on from a potential Conor McGregor fight:
"I think I'll get this belt. That's where the real money is."
Watch full #UFCOttawa video: https://t.co/h6xaEqC6eA pic.twitter.com/VW3BOkzefE
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) May 2, 2019
