UFC San Antonio delivered an unexpected surprise for UFC legend Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, with the news that the fan-favorite UFC and WEC star would be inducted to the UFC Hall of Fame this summer.
Cerrone’s 16-year resume is packed with accolades, including 55 professional fights for a career record of 36-17 (2 no contests), and countless bouts against a who’s who of the UFC and WEC’s lightweight classes.
Cerrone will be inducted into the Modern Wing of the Hall during the 2023 UFC Hall of Fame ceremony, which will take place on Thursday, July 6 as part of UFC International Fight Week in Las Vegas.
“Cowboy Cerrone is one of the best lightweights in UFC history,” said UFC president Dana White.
“Cowboy consistently fought the best of the best for over a decade inside the Octagon and set a ton of records in the process.
“He was also a complete savage who would fight anyone at any time. He is a true legend, and it will be an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame as part of International Fight Week.”
Cerrone will join a host of legends in the Modern Wing of the Hall, including Forrest Griffin, BJ Penn, Urijah Faber, Ronda Rousey, Michael Bisping, Rashad Evans, Georges St-Pierre, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Daniel Cormier, and Jose Aldo.
Fighters qualify for the Modern Wing if their pro career starts on or after November 17, 2000 (the first UFC event held under the Unified Rules of MMA), are a minimum age of 35, or have been retired for at least one year.
Cerrone’s career saw him claim wins over former UFC champions Charles Oliveira, former WEC champions Rob McCullough and Jamie Varner, and former UFC and WEC champion Benson Henderson. He eventually called time on his career in July 2022 after UFC 276.
His list of accomplishments includes a host of records, including:
UFC / WEC:
- Most finishes in UFC / WEC history combined – 20
- Most wins in UFC / WEC history combined – 29
UFC:
- Most KO / TKO by kick in UFC history – 7
- Most knockdowns in UFC history – 20
- Tied for second-most finishes in UFC history – 16
- Tied for second-most wins in UFC history – 23
- Third most fights in UFC history – 38
UFC lightweight division:
- Second-most wins in UFC lightweight history – 17
- Tied for second-most knockdowns in UFC lightweight history – 11
- Tied for fourth-most finishes in UFC lightweight history – 10
- Fifth-most significant strikes landed in UFC lightweight history – 1,127
Outside the Octagon:
- Breakthrough Fighter of the Year – Fighters Only World MMA Awards
- Fight of the Year 2009 – Sports Illustrated/Sherdog