LAS VEGAS – Donald Cerrone has something of a reputation for faltering when the spotlight is shining brightest on him.
Can he finally get over the hump against Conor McGregor at UFC 246? “Cowboy” is as interested as anyone else to find out.
Cerrone (36-13 MMA, 23-10 UFC) fell short of claiming the UFC lightweight title in his lone opportunity. He’s 4-4 in UFC main events, but none of those moments compare to the magnitude of fighting McGregor (21-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) in Saturday’s headliner. If there is any time to rise to the occasion, it would be now, and Cerrone is hopeful it happens.
“He’s the two-time belt holding champ, so you can definitely say this is to date the toughest battle I’ve stepped in against,” Cerrone told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at Wednesday’s UFC 246 pre-fight news conference. “I’m stoked man. Everyone always says, ”Cowboy,’ can you fight the big fight? Can you ever make it on the big fight?’ Well mother(expletive), here’s the biggest one. Let’s see.”
UFC 246 takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Cerrone vs. McGregor headlines the pay-per-view main card, which airs following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.
Although the entirety of Cerrone’s focus is on the upcoming fight, there’s concern the same couldn’t be said for McGregor. The former two-division UFC champ has mentioned a plethora of potential opponents for his planned “2020 season,” in which he intends to fight three times. Moreover, the Irishman has said he could win at UFC 246 even if he had the flu.
In Cerrone’s mind, that doesn’t mean he’s being overlooked – or underestimated – because no matter what is said pre-fight, the UFC’s all-time wins and finishes leader is expecting McGregor’s very best on fight night.
“I don’t think he’s looking past me at all,” Cerrone said. “I do not. We prepare to beat our opponent at our worst, so for him to say he’s go the flu or whatever, I (expletive) hope so. I hope you’re ready. Bring it. Because I’m coming. He knows it. I’m coming. We’re going to blow the (expletive) roof off this (expletive). I’m so excited. So excited.”
Can Donald Cerrone finally win 'the big fight' vs. Conor McGregor? 'Let's see'