This week, UFC legend Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone shared his plan to return from retirement for two more fights, aiming to reach 50 total bouts under the UFC and WEC banners. Cerrone retired in July 2022 after 48 fights in both organizations.
During his time away, Cerrone admitted to using performance-enhancing substances.
Daniel Cormier Speaks Out on Enhanced Donald Cerrone’s Return
Former UFC champion Daniel Cormier noticed firsthand the effects of steroids on Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. Cormier expressed his concerns, saying it doesn’t feel right for Cerrone, after using steroids, to be planning a return to the octagon.
“I saw Donald and he was just so much better. But at the end of the day, for years now, he’s been openly using steroids,” Cormier posted on his YouTube channel in regards to the situation. “And when I saw him, he told me I should do it because he said he’s never felt better. He seemed happier. He had more energy. It seemed to me that Donald was doing great.”
“Now, I find out that outside of the movies, because remember guys the movies. He was doing all these things. He was really starting to build his portfolio outside of mixed martial arts. But during all of that he’s been training,” Cormier continued. “When you’re training, you start to feel better. You start to feel like yourself again especially with the help and you go, ‘hell, I want to fight again.’ But at the end of the day, Cowboy’s been doing steroids openly.”
“It doesn’t matter how I feel about him as a person, as a buddy, or whatever it is our relationship is today. I don’t quite know what it is, but he has not been clean,” Cormier said. “If he can come back, take tests, pass those tests, for him to get back he had to do all those things, all those enhancers to allow for him to feel like compete at that level again.
“So, he would test clean, but isn’t that just a loophole? Isn’t it just a loophole like the guys that when they get hurt they get out of the testing pool, they recover from the injury then reenter the testing pool. It’s not wrong. It’s not illegal, but is it right? Because you truly have been enhanced to get to where you are and how you feel.”
“To me, it doesn’t feel fight.”
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Daniel Cormier remembers that Cerrone left the sport after losing six out of his last seven fights, with only one of those being a draw. If Cerrone returns looking like a totally different fighter, Cormier thinks it could create confusion and doubts. Given these concerns, Cormier believes the UFC should be cautious about allowing Cerrone back in the ring.
“Remember also, Cowboy lost six fights, had one no-contest in seven fights, and the last time he fought Jim Miller and got submitted,” Cormier said. “Imagine if he comes back and he looks like a world-beater. I’m against it. I’m honestly against the idea that you could find a loophole, go in and use that loophole, feel better while using that loophole, come back and fight because you can pass a clean test.
“I like Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone. I’m against Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone getting to compete in the UFC after openly doing what he’s been doing for the last two and a half years.”
Cormier feels uneasy about Donald Cerrone’s plan to return to fighting, especially since he has taken substances that could break important rules. Even though people can choose what they put in their bodies, there are rules in place to keep things fair, and Cerrone’s comeback might not follow them.
