Donald Cerrone took his first official interview after it was confirmed that Khabaib Nurmagomedov was forced out of his fight due to an injury.

On UFC Tonight, Cerrone admitted he was disappointed he wouldn’t get to fight Nurmy, but knew he had to stay on the card and take an opponent no matter what. “I was really looking forward to fighting Khabib. I’ve been scheduled to fight him three times now.” Cerrone continued, “They didn’t give me much of an option. I just want to fight. The guy stepped up. I think it’s going to be a great fight.”

Fans were clamoring for “Cowboy” to just take the title shot and back off, but he said it would go against what he tends to preach. “I can’t be the guy who says I’ll fight anybody, anywhere, anytime and then not take a fight. I have to keep my word. They gave me a new opponent. I just want to fight. That’s my mentality. I’m excited.”

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