Where to next for Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone?
Anthony Pettis scored his 10th UFC victory (the 23rd of his career) and snapped a two-fight losing streak at UFC 249 in Jacksonville, Florida. In doing so, ‘Showtime’ handed Donald Cerrone his fourth successive defeat and his first since being dismantled by Conor McGregor back in January.
Pettis and Cerrone were top of the main preliminaries for an event that was being held being closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The former lightweight champion defeated Cerrone back in 2013 but this bout was at welterweight, with both men far from the current title picture in that division.
Pettis’ striking game was very effective but Cerrone did have some success, in the opening two rounds, with his wrestling and takedowns.
Anthony Pettis (L) fights Donald Cerrone in their Welterweight fight during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)Going into the final round, most onlookers would have called it even and both fighters’ corners urged their men to press forward over those final five minutes.
Midway through that final round, the outstretched fingers on the left hand of Pettis went into Cerrone’s eye and left the 37-year-old reeling. He immediately called out the eye poke to the nearby referee but was told to fight on.
“It’s a fist fight!” an angry Cerrone exclaimed as he was left with no other option but to continue.
With his right eye closing up, Pettis understandably took a few moments to re-locate his range but, to his credit, managed to finish strong. Only Pettis will know how he stayed on his feet in the final minute as he wore a Cerrone high kick to the side of his head.
Both fighters embraced at the final bell and there was an exchange over that controversial eye poke:
CERRONE: That was a ****ing eye poke, bro.
PETTIS: No, that was a ****ing punch… replay that s**t!
"Replay that ****!" 🤣
After the final bell, Showtime and Cowboy had it out over that eye poke…
Two legends of the sport 👊 #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/klHlpqmtGB
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) May 10, 2020
Replays did indeed show the eye-poke from Pettis, which he later argued was completely unintentional. “I’m glad it didn’t end that way… I thought it was a punch.” Cerrone did remarkably well to fight on and not make a major issue of the incident in The Octagon.
The judges’ call did not go in his favour, however, as all three scored the bout 29-28 to Pettis. The 33-year-old told Joe Rogan:
“I’ll take it, man. That was close
“That [Cerrone] high kick shook everything,” he added. “I don’t know what happened, but I was winning. He’s a legend. We’re friends, man. He hit me, I hit him, that’s what it’s about. He took me down but he didn’t take nothing with it.”
Rogan did not speak with Cerrone after he wrapped with Pettis, despite ‘Cowboy’ looking like he had a lot to get off his chest.
Pettis moves to 23-10 overall and is likely to leapfrog Conor McGregor and a couple of other fighters in the welterweight rankings. Cerrone slips to 32-15 in his MMA career. Having reached 32-7 with a 2016 victory over Matt Brown, he has now lost eight of his last 12 fights.
Before the Pettis bout, Cerrone admitted that he did not have much time left in the fight game. His latest loss, coming three months after falling to McGregor in only 40 seconds, may hasten his exit.
RELATED ARTICLES
![Conor McGregor’s UFC 303 return called off due to injury](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/06/GettyImages-2097990820.jpg?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Conor McGregor’s UFC 303 return called off due to injury](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/06/GettyImages-2097990820.jpg?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![Eddie Hall produces insane knockout in 2 vs 1 MMA fight](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/06/eddie-hal.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Eddie Hall produces insane knockout in 2 vs 1 MMA fight](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/06/eddie-hal.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![Dana White unconcerned by Conor McGregor’s party antics ahead of Chandler fight](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/06/white-mcgregir.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Dana White unconcerned by Conor McGregor’s party antics ahead of Chandler fight](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/06/white-mcgregir.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
MORE FROM Sports Joe
![“I’m coming for that world title” – Ireland’s Ian Garry extends perfect record at UFC 303](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2023/05/13140115/GettyImages-1406302242-1.jpg?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![“I’m coming for that world title” – Ireland’s Ian Garry extends perfect record at UFC 303](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2023/05/13140115/GettyImages-1406302242-1.jpg?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![Conor McGregor sends chilling threat to Ryan Garcia in now-deleted tweet after failed drugs test](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/05/conor-mcgregor-ryan-garcia.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Conor McGregor sends chilling threat to Ryan Garcia in now-deleted tweet after failed drugs test](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/05/conor-mcgregor-ryan-garcia.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![Conor McGregor accused of turning planned Dublin hotel into Ibiza-style party venue](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/04/Site-header-64.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Conor McGregor accused of turning planned Dublin hotel into Ibiza-style party venue](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/04/Site-header-64.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![Conor McGregor confirms next UFC bout, ahead of official announcement](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/03/MCGREGOR-2.jpg?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Conor McGregor confirms next UFC bout, ahead of official announcement](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/03/MCGREGOR-2.jpg?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![Dana White confirms colossal UFC300 line-up and it looks set to be an all-timer](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2020/09/27110814/Dana-White-1.jpg?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Dana White confirms colossal UFC300 line-up and it looks set to be an all-timer](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2020/09/27110814/Dana-White-1.jpg?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![Conor McGregor makes big donation to Irish MMA star who suffered “life-altering” injuries](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/01/14144749/MCG1.jpg?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Conor McGregor makes big donation to Irish MMA star who suffered “life-altering” injuries](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/01/14144749/MCG1.jpg?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![“It means a lot to me” – Rob Edwards story shows the true class of Jurgen Klopp](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/edwardsklopp.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![“It means a lot to me” – Rob Edwards story shows the true class of Jurgen Klopp](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/edwardsklopp.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![When are Irish athletes competing at the Olympics? Event details, times and more](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/ire.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![When are Irish athletes competing at the Olympics? Event details, times and more](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/ire.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![Opinion: Hugo Keenan endured a difficult year but will always be an Olympian](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/keenan.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Opinion: Hugo Keenan endured a difficult year but will always be an Olympian](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/keenan.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![The SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz: Week 81](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/Copy-of-Quiz-Feature-Image-17.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![The SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz: Week 81](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/Copy-of-Quiz-Feature-Image-17.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![“I love nights like this” – Damien Duff gives surprise reaction after Shelbourne lose 3-0 to FC Zürich](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/duffman.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![“I love nights like this” – Damien Duff gives surprise reaction after Shelbourne lose 3-0 to FC Zürich](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/duffman.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![Graeme Souness slams Man United star for ‘throwing in the towel’](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/Untitled-design-2024-07-25T145951.362.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Graeme Souness slams Man United star for ‘throwing in the towel’](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/Untitled-design-2024-07-25T145951.362.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
MORE FROM Sports Joe
![Politicians criticise ‘thugs’ after sectarian graffiti appears ahead of All-Ireland final](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/armagh-sectarianism.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Politicians criticise ‘thugs’ after sectarian graffiti appears ahead of All-Ireland final](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/armagh-sectarianism.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![Roy Keane delighted after finally answering question about Ireland legend in quiz](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/roy-keane-ireland.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Roy Keane delighted after finally answering question about Ireland legend in quiz](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/roy-keane-ireland.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![Orange Order want to hold Armagh parade in Nationalist area during All-Ireland Final](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/armagh-orangemen.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Orange Order want to hold Armagh parade in Nationalist area during All-Ireland Final](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/armagh-orangemen.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![James McClean involved in scuffle with Chelsea player during Wrexham friendly](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/James-Mc-Clean.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![James McClean involved in scuffle with Chelsea player during Wrexham friendly](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/James-Mc-Clean.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![Quiz: Name every county to have won an All-Ireland football final](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/gaa-final.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Quiz: Name every county to have won an All-Ireland football final](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/gaa-final.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![‘He told me no.’ – GAA legend reveals he asked Roy Keane for a selfie at hurling final](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/roy-keane-1.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![‘He told me no.’ – GAA legend reveals he asked Roy Keane for a selfie at hurling final](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/roy-keane-1.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)