Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone is done competing inside the Octagon as a mixed martial artist. The 18-post-fight bonus winner in the UFC hung his gloves after coming short against Jim Miller at UFC 276 in T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas. Fight fans and fellow UFC fighters hailed the illustrious career of ‘Cowboy’.
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In a competitive bout, ‘A-10‘ submitted BMF Ranch standout. Miller also surpassed Cerrone and Andrei Arlovski and now stands alone at the top for the most wins (24) inside the Octagon. Earlier, all three of them had 23 wins each.
Wow! Jim Miller becomes the first person to submit Donald Cerrone since April 2010.
He becomes the first in UFC history reach two dozen wins. #UFC276 pic.twitter.com/Pjxt7SNDOP
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) July 3, 2022
After catching ‘Cowboy’ in a guillotine as he slipped, throwing a high kick, the winner gave Cerrone his moment to say a few words about his retirement when he saw the Albuquerque, New Mexico standout removing his gloves.
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UFC announcer Joe Rogan interviewed ‘Cowboy’ as he confirmed the UFC 276 walk will be his last inside the Octagon.
“Thank you, Las Vegas. I don’t love it anymore, Joe… I’m going to be a movie star, baby,” ‘Cowboy’ said, going into the sunset, leaving behind milestones that will be a challenge to surpass for his peers.
MMA fans react to Donald Cerrone retiring
Fight fans were in shock to see ‘Cowboy’ retire. He made a reputation for himself as a fighter who took every fight in the UFC he was offered. Besides, he was never shy away from stepping up to a short notice bout whenever the promotion required him.
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MMA reporter Brett Okamoto wrote, “Crazy. I’ve heard Cowboy say a million times over the years the UFC would have to drag him out of there kicking and screaming. That he’d never retire. Crazy to see it actually happen. That got me in the feels.”
Crazy. I've heard Cowboy say a million times over the years the UFC would have to drag him out of there kicking and screaming. That he'd never retire. Crazy to see it actually happen. That got me in the feels.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) July 3, 2022
A fellow UFC fighter, Charles Jourdain thanked Donald Cerrone and wrote, “Legend. Inspiration. Cowboy.”
@Cowboycerrone Thank you.
Legend. Inspiration. Cowboy 🫡🤠#UFC276
— CharlesAirJourdain (@JourdainAir) July 3, 2022
Multiple other fighters and prominent names also shared their immediate thoughts on an elongated career filled with some incredible moments.
Donald Cerrone: "Hopefully one day I'm in the Hall of Fame."
I suspect you won't have to wait long, Cowboy. #UFC276
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) July 3, 2022
It’s been a honor Donald Cerrone you the man 🙏
— Terrance ‘T Wrecks’ McKinney (@twrecks155) July 3, 2022
Donald Cerrone at the #UFC276 post-fight press conference on his retirement: "Maybe in a year or two I'll get the itch. But anytime soon? Hell-to-the-no."
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) July 3, 2022
WE LOVE YOU DONALD CERRONE#UFC276 pic.twitter.com/nSV3XVaCIh
— Jesus H. Christ (@JesusFaceKilla) July 3, 2022
Gotta share my favorite Cowboy KOpic.twitter.com/2lLyxnGMEb
— Alex Behunin (@AlexBehunin) July 3, 2022
Much respect 🫡 and thank you for paving the way for the rest of us @Cowboycerrone #ufc276
— Chris “El Guapo” Gutierrez (@CGutierrezMMA) July 3, 2022
Every time we look back at Donald Cerrone's career, we're going to celebrate one of the greatest legacies in MMA history.
It didn't matter who it was, he never shied away from a challenge.
Thank you for all the years of entertainment.
Hollywood's about to get a real Cowboy. pic.twitter.com/0sDss6aNFV
— MMA History Today (@MMAHistoryToday) July 3, 2022
Cerrone’s co-star, an MMA pioneer Gina Carano, also shared a message on her social handle acknowledging the former lightweight challenger’s ‘movie star’ comment.
“The end of a incredible career and the start of another. So happy for you my friend. @Cowboycerrone”
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❤️❤️❤️
The end of a incredible career and the start of another. So happy for you my friend. @Cowboycerrone https://t.co/i45NXfwAe4 pic.twitter.com/UtajkOrhBy— Gina Carano 🕯 (@ginacarano) July 3, 2022
Though the veteran fighter ended his career with multiple UFC records, the most post-fight bonus record (tied with Charles Oliveira) inside the Octagon stands out.
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What’s your favorite ‘Cowboy‘ moment inside the Octagon? Let us know in the comments.