Donald Cerrone took over the combat airwaves late last night when he suggested he will fight Conor McGregor for the interim UFC lightweight title this summer.
“Cowboy” and “Notorious” have already been linked to a potential lightweight clash, as well as landing on UFC president Dana White’s wish list of fights for 2019. so the callout didn’t come as that big of a surprise, but it was the first time an interim title has been throw into the discussion.
Of course, with undisputed UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov currently sidelined until November, the division has to do something over the next nine months.
During a Q&A this weekend at UFC 234’s weigh-ins in Melbourne, Australia (h/t MMA Fighting), Cerrone took some time to talk about the potential matchup with McGregor.
“This is a fight that I think everyone is going to love,” said Cerrone. “I’m very excited to be involved with him. How am I going to beat him? I’m going to go out there and give it hell like I always do.”
Cerrone, who recently defeated Alexander Hernandez via second-round TKO in his return to 155 pounds this past January, revealed a likely timeline for his “Red Panty Night”.
“It’s definitely going to be this year, this summer I think,” Cerrone said. “But hey, Irish, Australian, American – (expletive) root for whoever you want. I love it man. Boo, cheer.”
Given Cerrone’s willingness to stand and strike, he seems like the most logical matchup for McGregor considering “Notorious” is coming off a disappointing submission loss to Khabib in which he was manhandled on the canvas for the majority of the fight. “Cowboy” certainly has the ability to finish McGregor on the ground as well — evident by his 17 career submission victories — but the entertaining veteran is already assuring fight fans that he’ll give them what they want.
“I’m just going to go out there and fight my ass off,” Cerrone said. “I really am. Definitely the standup – I’m going to stand and fight him. I’m not going to try to wrestle him, I’m going to (expletive) stand and give you all what you want to see.”
As far as a prediction for his potential clash with “Notorious,” Cerrone, who currently holds the UFC record for most wins (22) and finishes (16), is counting on another early stoppage.
“(My prediction is a) second-round head kick (knockout),” Cerrone said.
What say you, Maniacs? Who wins this lightweight clash?
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