Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone Plans UFC Comeback Despite Dana White's Opposition

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Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone, a retired UFC Hall of Famer, is planning to make a return to the octagon, aiming to fight twice more to reach 50 UFC fights. Cerrone, who retired in 2022, has re-entered the UFC's drug testing pool and is targeting a comeback in the summer of 2025. This decision has not been well-received by UFC President Dana White, who has expressed strong disapproval of Cerrone's plan.

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Cerrone, 41, has a storied career with a 36-17-2 record, including two lightweight title bouts, both of which he lost. His last seven fights saw him lose six and have one ruled a no-contest due to an opponent's positive drug test. Despite his recent struggles, Cerrone is determined to fulfill his goal of reaching 50 UFC fights, a promise he made to his wife. His return fights are likely to be at middleweight, as he is now focused on maintaining his weight at 185 pounds.

Dana White, while a fan of Cerrone, has made it clear that he is not supportive of this comeback. White has stated that if Cerrone's return is financially motivated, he is open to working something out, but he believes Cerrone has nothing left to prove in the sport. White's opposition is rooted in concerns about Cerrone's recent performance and the potential risk of injury, especially given Cerrone's age and the physical demands of MMA.

Cerrone has also ruled out pursuing boxing matches against the Paul brothers, acknowledging that he is not interested in taking a "boxing ass whooping" and would prefer to stick to MMA. This stance aligns with his desire to return to the UFC, where he can leverage his experience and skills in a more familiar setting.

In summary, while Donald Cerrone is set on returning to the UFC to complete his goal of 50 fights, Dana White remains firmly against the idea, citing concerns for Cerrone's well-being and questioning the necessity of the return.