Donald Cerrone back in UFC drug-testing pool ahead of 2025 return
Donald Cerrone is serious about returning to the UFC for two more fights.
Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD), the UFC’s anti-doping agency, confirmed that Cerrone is back in the testing pool in hopes of an octagon return. “Cowboy” also revealed the news on The Pacman Jones Show.
“I just re-entered the testing pool so I have to be six months clean,” Cerrone said. “Probably June or July we’ll make the comeback. I’m coming back for two more. Just two more. I want 50 fights [under the] UFC [umbrella].
“I promised the wife no matter what happens, no matter the outcome, two more and that’s it. ...
“I think it’ll be [at middleweight].”
In October, Cerrone said he was hoping to return to get to the round number — which already includes 48 total fights in the UFC and WEC combined. Cerrone called it a career in July 2022 when he suffered his sixth consecutive loss, this time at the hands and squeeze of Jim Miller, who earned a second-round guillotine choke submission. The 41-year-old hasn’t won a fight in nearly five years — a decision win against Al Iaquinta at UFC on ESPN+ 9 in May 2019.
UFC CEO Dana White said shortly after Cerrone’s announcement that he absolute dislikes it, and hoped Cerrone would reconsider.
“I hate it. I hate it,” White said. “Love him, hate that. ...
“Cerrone shouldn’t think about fighting again. Cerrone needs to think about what’s next. He should have been thinking about it two years ago but apparently he didn’t, and he needs to. But we’re here for him. We love Cerrone. We’ll help in any way we can. I don’t want to see him get punched in the face anymore.”