In a recent interview with Brett Okamoto, Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone has reflected on his mentality moments before his bout with Conor McGregor, stating that he (Cowboy) “Didn’t want to be there”.
“Donald showed up, ‘Cowboy’ wasn’t there. Wrong guy showed up. Couldn’t get going, couldn’t get excited, couldn’t get fired up. Didn’t want to be there. Biggest fight, all the attention, my time to shine, I didn’t want to be there”
The backlash from fight fans has been swift following his statements, with many calling for Cowboy to retire citing his ‘lack of motivation and mindset’ as reason enough to call it quits. However, those who’ve followed Cowboy since before the McGregor fight are well aware that locker room nerves are nothing new. In fact, he is well known for his transparency regarding pre-fight nerves, famously tweeting that he vomits before every fight.
Cowboy is now set to throw-down against Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis for a second time on May 9th. Pettis, who is coming off back-to-back losses, dispelled Cowboy in the first round back in January 2013, with a vicious leg kick to the body. “He kicked my liver out of my body (in our first fight),” Cerrone admitted in a recent interview, before going on to reassure fans that he is still confident that he can avenge his first-ever knockout loss in the UFC.
Pettis, the betting favourite coming into the rematch, will likely throw plenty of leg kicks to the body and legs of Cowboy whilst trying to avoid the well-known counter head-kick Cowboy is likely to throw. The fight is sure to be calm and calculated, with both fighters being veterans of the sport and desperately wanting to avoid a loss that could spell retirement for either fighter.
Cowboy’s Camp
Cowboys’ coach John Wood had nothing but fighting words ahead of the rematch, commenting that “He’s (Cowboy) got a fire lit under his ass” ahead of the rematch and that “I know Cowboy is coming out of this fight with his hand raised”. Wood also commented that Cowboy has been training 3 times a day, is in great shape and will likely win by knockout, despite it only being a 3 round fight.
Although the stakes for this fight are by no means high, it will likely be an enjoyable display of high-level martial arts. Do not expect a dog fight or a brutal knockout or you may be disappointed. Both fighters are coming off losses and while there is no doubt they are both eager to win, I believe their cautiousness to avoid another loss may play a factor in making this a calm and calculated fight.
With UFC 249 now only 6 days away be sure to checkout all our other articles about the event, including a break down of the match-up between Ferguson vs Gaethje linked below.
This article first appeared on CLOSEDGUARDMEDIA.com on 6th May, 2020
