After his thrilling decision victory over Al Iaquinta in the UFC Ottawa main event, Donald Cerrone wants one of two fights next: a title shot, or a fight with Conor McGregor.
Cerrone outlined his hopes for his next matchup post-fight, beginning by explaining that he’ll be ready to step in and replace Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier should one of them sustain an injury ahead of UFC 242.
“My name’s in the hat for [Nurmagomedov or Poirier] for sure if one of them fall out. But like I said, I left here [ranked No. 2 at lightweight] and I didn’t go anywhere,” Cerrone said post-fight (via MMA Fighting). “So people ask me where should I be ranked, I don’t care about ranking. I should beat these guys, I feel like I’m the best in the world. I feel like that’s where I belong and for the UFC not to give me a title shot, I would step back and I would be thoroughly disappointed. Like, wow, a guy who’s done all this for the sport, I don’t trash talk, I go in there and I deliver every time and you’re going to overlook me for somebody else. I’d be really upset like, wow, that’s the company work for?”
If he can’t doesn’t a title shot for whatever reason, then Cerrone wants Conor McGregor next.
“Which I’m not saying is gonna happen by any means. To me, I’d really be thrown back; on the flip side, if Conor wants to fight, f*ck yeah, let’s go. Especially in July, I’m ready, let’s turn and burn, baby. … Who knows? I’m gonna be sittin’ at home in a couple of months, bored, like, ‘F*ck. Fine. I’ll fight whoever, let’s go.’ But I love it.”
Who do you want to see Donald Cerrone fight next after UFC Ottawa? Do you think the fan favorite has earned a title shot?
This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 5/5/2019.