Donald Cerrone announces MMA retirement after UFC 276 loss: 'I don't love this anymore'

Donald Cerrone has called it a career.

Following his second-round submission loss to Jim Miller at UFC 276, “Cowboy” Cerrone (35-16 MMA, 24-15 UFC) placed his gloves and trademark cowboy hat in the center of the cage and announced his retirement.

“Thank you, Las Vegas,” Cerrone told Joe Rogan in his in-cage interview. “I’m glad my boys got to be here. Here they come now. I don’t love it anymore, Joe. It’s hard for me to get up (for fights), and this is the longest camp I’ve had in a long time. I’m not complaining to anybody, but I don’t love it anymore.

“I’m going to be a movie star, baby. It’s time to bow out. I’ve got to know when. This was the perfect event, man – a sold-out crowd in Las Vegas, talking to you. I’ve got my boys. It was one hell of a career, man. Hopefully one day, I’m in the (UFC) Hall of Fame. Thank you so much, UFC.”

Donald Cerrone lays down his gloves and hat in the Octagon at #UFC276 pic.twitter.com/1g7K6GX8OG

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 3, 2022

The fight against Miller was for sole standing as the all-time winningest fighter in UFC history. Now tied for second place in wins (23), Cerrone has his name toward the top of numerous UFC statistical lists.

A professional MMA fighter since 2006, Cerrone first carved out his spot in the national spotlight in thte WEC. In 2009, he competed for the WEC lightweight title, but lost to Jamie Varner. In the same calendar year, he fought for an interim title against Benson Henderson, but lost a unanimous decision.

In 2011, the UFC onboarded Cerrone to the roster after the acquisition of the WEC. A six-fight winning streak in 13 months led him to a title eliminator against Nate Diaz, which he lost by unanimous decision.

Back-to-back victories over Jeremy Stephens and Melvin Guillard were followed by a loss to Anthony Pettis. From May 2013 to May 2015, Cerrone fought 10 times and compiled a 9-1 record in the stretch. The hot streak earned him a long-awaited UFC title fight against Rafael dos Anjos, though he lost by first-round TKO.

From January 2017 to May 2019, Cerrone went 4-4 with victories over Yancy Medeiros, Mike Perry, Alexander Hernandez and Al Iaquinta. The Iaquinta win, a five-round unanimous decision domination, turned out to be his final victory. His last seven fights resulted in six losses and a no contest.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 276 results include:

• Jim Miller def. Donald Cerrone via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 1:32
• Ian Garry def. Gabe Green via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Dricus Du Plessis def. Brad Tavares via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Andre Muniz def. Uriah Hall via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Maycee Barber def. Jessica Eye via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Julija Stoliarenko def. Jessica-Rose Clark via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 0:42