Skidding into UFC-Austin headliner, 'Cowboy' Cerrone now the fighter he once criticized

AUSTIN – Donald Cerrone enters UFC Fight Night 126 in the most precarious position of his career. But instead of hitting the panic button, “Cowboy” used his current three-fight losing skid as an opportunity for growth.

Over the years, Cerrone (31-10 MMA, 19-7 UFC) has built a reputation as a carefree, easy-going fighter who takes everything in stride. He’s in a turbulent spot going into Sunday’s welterweight headliner against Yancy Medeiros (15-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC), though, and he knew something needed to change.

Cerrone has been one of the UFC’s most successful fighters over the past seven years. Instead of trying to plow his way through tough times, though, he’s worked to find an honest solution. With it has come some surprising realizations.

“It’s funny, I used to always talk (expletive) when I’d sit in these chairs and be like, ‘I hear all the kids saying, ‘I’m in the best shape of my life. I can do the most sit-ups I’ve ever done,”” Cerrone told MMAjunkie. “And God dammit, here I am. I’m in the best shape of my life. I can do the most sit-ups I’ve ever done in my life. Mentally I’m the strongest I’ve ever (expletive) been. The fight’s already won in my mind before I even walk in there. We just did everything right. We sat down as a team, and we (expletive) made it happen.”

UFC Fight Night 126 takes place at Frank Erwin Center in Austin. Cerrone vs. Medeiros headlines the FS1-televised card following early prelims streamed on UFC Fight Pass.

Losses are never an enjoyable experience, but Cerrone said he’s learned it’s not a situation worth dwelling on. He knows there are still many positives going into UFC Fight Night 126, but he admits he will only truly be able to enjoy those when he gets back on the winning side of things.

“I just found out a win on Sunday night ties me for the most wins in UFC history,” Cerrone said. “I’ve been here a while. Winning or losing is just – unfortunately losing sucks. Everyone wants to win. I wish I could go out and win every single one. My pay would be a hell of a lot better. But, man, when you lose, it just sucks. It kind of bangs the whole team. The crazy thing is, that next day the sun still rises. Birds still chirping. So you just put it behind you and kind of move on.

“It’s not like this is a must-win. This is a must-win for me because I’m tired of (expletive) losing, man. It has nothing to do with setting some record or getting back on track or proving anybody wrong. Just, it’s (expletive) time. Let’s go. I don’t give a (expletive) about keeping my job or making a statement to the guys in the upper weight class. Let’s just (expletive) go ‘Cowboy,’ just (expletive) pony up (expletive). That’s what this is about. It’s about me.”

In order to secure a win against Medeiros on Sunday, Cerrone said he had to find the perfect mix of comfort and discomfort for his training camp. He said he worked with a close-knit group of coaches and training partners, and for perhaps the first time ever, he actually studied film of both himself and his opponent.

At 34 and with 26 UFC fights under his belt, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if the traction on Cerrone’s tires had worn thin. He said he feels reinvigorated, though, and claims that should come as a worry for Medeiros.

“Man, the old WEC kicking-ass ‘Cowboy’ is back,” Cerrone said. “I feel it. I’m hungry again, and I love it. I’m looking for that feeling, and I can’t wait for it. I can’t wait to stand in that octagon, stand and see Yancy and think, ‘You poor son of a (expletive). You’re the one who drew bad.’ Then go out there and do it.”

Although three consecutive losses look troubling on paper, there are some holes, which can be poked in Cerrone’s current skid. He said he’s “not the guy to ever make excuses,” but his loss to Jorge Masvidal at UFC on FOX 23 came off a quick turnaround in a fight in which he took a lot of damage, his UFC 214 loss to Robbie Lawler was a debatable split decision, and then his TKO at the hands of Darren Till at UFC Fight Night 118 was because it “turns out he’s a real bad-ass (expletive) who hits pretty damn hard.”

It’s never possible to know exactly what happens when a fighter will step in the octagon, but Cerrone said he’s left no stone unturned ahead of UFC Fight Night 126. He compared his mentality to the multi-fight winning streaks he put together that turned him into a title contender in both the lightweight and welterweight divisions. Now he just has to execute.

“I’m a (expletive) winner,” Cerrone said. “My whole life I’ve been a winner. If (we) went out and had a rock-throwing competition, I’m going to try to (expletive) beat you. If we go play tennis, I’m going to try and win. It’s in my blood. (Expletive) losing sucks. It’s like the worst feeling. Everyone’s depressed. You try to hold your head up and tell your family it’s OK, but then it burns. It sucks. It’s time. Losing three in a row? What the (expletive) is that? No, that’s not me. I’m here to win.”

For more on UFC Fight Night 126, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.