What motivates a retired fighter to step back into the limelight? For some, the appeal might be financial. However, for Donald Cerrone, a UFC fan favorite, the reason runs deeper. This past October, ‘Cowboy’ caught UFC CEO Dana White off guard with a surprising statement: “Now I have to come off… fight in a few months. Watch this.”

His words hinted at a possible return, driven by the desire to hit the 50-fight mark under the UFC-WEC banner and chase records that would solidify his legacy. The fans are super excited about the news and are looking forward to his return. However, Cerrone has returned to the mandatory fighter testing pool but an official statement regarding his ‘dancing partner’ hasn’t come out yet. Amid this, a former UFC fighter feels that this plan may never materialize.

UFC analyst points out why Donald Cerrone’s return may not happen

Earlier this year, UFC veteran Donald Cerrone shocked the MMA community by revealing he was stepping out of retirement. Cerrone’s stint inside the Octagon ended in 2022 with a second-round guillotine choke loss to fellow veteran Jim Miller. It marked his sixth defeat in seven fights, leading many to assume ‘Cowboy’ was done with the sport. However, a change in his mindset reignited his competitive fire, opening the door for a possible comeback.

Cerrone is focused on making history by setting records for the most wins, finishes, and performance bonuses. With 23 wins to his name, he sits in second place for the most victories in UFC history. Although claiming the top spot might be a long shot, the former lightweight would need to step into the Octagon twice more to secure the record for the most fights in the promotion’s history. It seems Chael Sonnen doesn’t feel this could ever come true.

‘The American Gangster’ took to his YouTube channel to share his honest opinion on the whole. He said, “I like the idea that cowboy is coming back a lot. Or at least I like the idea of getting to see Cowboy something he wants to do. I go in the category of a very big Cowboy supporter. I wanted to see him ride that damn bull and want to see him box Conor at BKFC. But we have largely been told as an audience that those kinds of fights, those kinds of comeback fights just aren’t going to happen.” 

Throughout his 15 years in the UFC, Cerrone built a reputation as a fighter who would take on anyone, anytime. At the height of his career, Cerrone strung together eight straight wins, which secured him a title shot against then-champion Rafael dos Anjos at UFC on Fox 17. However, only if he returns to the Octagon who should he be facing next? Michael Bisping seems to know the perfect opponent for Cerrone on his return.

Michael Bisping comes up with a unique opponent for ‘Cowboy’

Donald Cerrone finds himself at a point in his career where many fighters would choose to hang up the gloves, but he’s not ready to follow that path. With him hinting at a possible return in the summer of 2025, fueling speculation about who he might face at this point in his career. One potential matchup could be Jim Miller, his most recent opponent, as their shared history and close age make the fight a natural fit.

However, former UFC champion Michael Bisping has another name on his mind. He took to his ‘Believe You Me’ podcast and said, “There’s the name. The one matchup that I think most people would sign off on if he’s still not retired, would be a rematch with Tony Ferguson.” Cerrone and Tony Ferguson previously clashed at UFC 238 in 2019 at 155lbs where Ferguson won the fight via TKO after an intense battle. In 2024, Cerrone and the former interim champion are in similar spots. At 40, Ferguson’s career, once defined by an impressive 12-fight win streak from 2013 to 2019, has taken a steep decline.

Since 2020, ‘El Cucuy’ has suffered eight consecutive losses, and the match-up might just draw in a lot of fans. However, the big question is whether Donald Cerrone can make a comeback again. Will he be considered for one more fight by the UFC head honcho? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.