With the end of his legendary career in sight, Cowboy Cerrone says there is something special about setting records that are nearly impossible to reach.
On Saturday, Cerrone competes under the UFC-WEC banner for the 49th time, and he plans to go for No. 50 before calling it a career. That will place him in an entirely new category with a record that has stood the test of time.
“My plan, I want to put records where people can’t even touch,” Cerrone said during UFC 276 media day. “Fifty fights under Zuffa – I want these young kids to be like ‘I’m just fighting to get one or two to keep my job, and he’s got 50 of them?’ To me that’s cool.
“To put statements down like that so this is huge. This is legacy fighting. This is legacy fighting .”
Even more emphasis was added to Cerrone’s return at UFC 276 when he got matched up with Jim Miller, who is a record-setting fighter in his own right; Miller has the most fights in UFC history with 39 and is tied with Cerrone and Andrei Arlovski for most wins inside the octagon with 23 total.
Cerrone, who is eager to meet Miller and another veteran, like Joe Lauzon, are excited about the chance to win the most wins.
“Joe would have been fun, too,” said Cerrone, whose two bouts with Lauzon were canclelled on short notice. Jim’s going be as much fun. Jim is gonna bite down and come play. It will be fun, but this is one of those fights where someone’s O must go!
“We’re legends. That’s what it feels like to be there. To fight another guy in the same category, and we’re setting more records.”
The rematch with Miller will be eight years since their first encounter, in which Cerrone won by a brutal head kick. Both fighters have done a lot since then, but lately, they’ve been on slightly different career trajectories with Miller earning back-to-back knockout wins in his previous two outings while Cerrone attempts to battle back from an 0-5 record (1 no-contest) in his past six fights.
As impressive as Miller has been as of late, Cerrone admits he didn’t know what his opponent’s resume looked like, though he’s glad the New Jersey native has found so much success.
“God that would mean I had tv to see fights,” Cerrone laughed. I don’t know how to be truthful. Jim, I am sorry. I just have no idea. Bravo to him. That’s awesome.”
Cerrone made clear, win, lose, or draw, that he will return at least once more to complete the 50th Zuffa fight. Of course, he can’t deny a win over Miller and another victory might get him a call back for another fight and he knows himself well enough that he probably wouldn’t turn down the opportunity.
Cerrone will not be concerned about who he might face in the next fight.
“If they call me for 51, I’m going to say all right, I’ll be there,” Cerrone said. It doesn’t really matter what it is that I don’t mind. I never gave much for the opponent. Anyone who wants to have fun, and hopefully it is a huge New Year’s or Fourth of July card. A big blowout. A nice goodbye but the opponent whoever wants to bite down and have some fun.
” It’s strange to think or ask about 50′, but it is a solid number. It is fun to know that I am not fighting for anyone but me. I don’t have to worry about anything. I don’t have to go out there and try and ‘this one’s for you grandpa, this one’s for you, I want to show my submission game.’ How about Cowboy you just go get 50 because god***** you want 50. That’s kind of where I’m at my life now.”
