After his latest win over Rick “The Horror” Story at UFC 202, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone‘s future was up in the air due to no more fights on his current contract. However, the fear of “Cowboy” going anywhere else can be put to bed. Earlier today the UFC broke out the big guns by signing Donald Cerrone to a new deal for eight more fights a UFC official told MMAJunkie.
New Contract: Importance of Signing Donald Cerrone
Why the signing is so big?
The timing of the signing of Cerrone was absolutely imperative for UFC President Dana White and co.
The news of his Cerrone’s new deal comes on the heels of the reports that fellow UFC welterweight Rory MacDonald had inked a new deal himself with Bellator.
Welterweight Division
MacDonald was the ranked number one in the UFC welterweight division. That was until the UFC pulled him from the rankings once the news broke about him signing with Bellator.
After his UFC 202 win, the fan favorite “Cowboy” has moved into the top ten. He currently sits at number seven.
“Cowboy” might be on one of the most impressive streaks we have seen in a while. He has won 11 of his last 12 fights; including his last three fights which have all been fought at welterweight. Cerrone has become one of the hottest fighters as of late. He is a very hot commodity in the UFC welterweight division.
For the UFC though to have lost MacDonald AND Cerrone in any type of time span would have been absolutely detrimental to that division. MacDonald is a former title challenger and mainstay in the welterweight division. It appears Cerrone has found a home in the welterweight division. Losing two top ten fighters in the division could have really changed the landscape of the UFC welterweight division.
Now “Cowboy” should be looking at a top five fight.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 03: Donald Cerrone speaks to the media during the UFC 182 post fight press conference inside the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino on January 3, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
