He’s back! Cowboy Cerrone re-enters USADA testing pool, targets summer 2025 UFC return

Donald Cerrone has officially announced plans for his mixed martial arts (MMA) comeback. Indeed, the man we all know as “Cowboy” revealed during a recent interview with former NFL star, Adam “Pacman” Jones, that he has started the proper steps in order to make his return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Octagon in mid-2025

“I just re-entered the testing pool, I have to be six months clean. Probably in June or July we will make the comeback. I am coming back for two more. Just two more. I want 50 fights in the UFC,” he added.

“So, I promised my wife no matter what happens, no matter the outcome, two more and that’s it,” he said before revealing what division he plans to compete in. “I think it’s going to be at 185 is where I am coming back at. We will see how my weight maintains once I pick up training.”

initially retired in May 2022, leaving the sport win-less in his last seven fights (0-6-1). His plans of an MMA return earlier this year weren’t exactly met with elation by many, including UFC CEO, Dana White, who wasn’t jumping for joy at the news.

“Every time we’re at a show, when you show ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone on the screen, the place goes nuts. He’s beloved. He’s beloved because the guy goes to war, and he’s been in wars for years. It’s time to not go to war anymore man, there’s nothing left to prove for him,” said White.

Daniel Cormier also wasn’t too thrilled at the news, saying it simply doesn’t feel right because “Cowboy” has been open about his supplement use post-MMA.

“The one thing about Cowboy, is that it’s very refreshing to watch how open he’s been with all of this,” said Cormier. “He never lied. He never lied about what he was doing, what he was going to do, and how he was going to apply it to his life. And I’m all for a guy that has personal goals. And I love Cowboy… But at the end of the day, for years now, he’s been openly using steroids.”

inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame this past summer — last raised his hand in victory in 2019, defeating Al Iaquinta via unanimous decision, his third straight win at the time. And though he hasn’t been too successful inside the cage since then, crossing over to boxing never entered his mind, even if it means a big-money fight against one of the Paul brothers.

“Not in boxing. If they want to come fight MMA, I would gladly fight either of them, it doesn’t matter who I fight. But not in boxing, I am a terrible boxer so I wouldn’t sign up for that aspect of it.”

Nevertheless, the always-entertaining and brutally honest striker is ready to make his return to MMA. Whether or not Dana White has change his stance over the last few months, is another story.