UFC: Donald Cerrone not toning down antics outside Octagon ahead of Jim Miller clash

Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone: Not planning to give up lifestyle outside the Octagon

It wasn’t long ago that thrill-seeking, horse-riding, beer-drinking Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone seemed like life’s excesses were getting ahead of him but after two spectacular showings already in 2014 he is using them as motivation.

Ahead of Wednesday’s Fight Night clash with Jim Miller in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Cerrone is in the form of his career despite his notoriously reckless life outside of the Octagon.

“I was getting lectured by everybody that I should slow down and start living my life and focusing on training,” Cerrone told Sky Sports about considering retirement last year.

“Forget that! I’m going to amp it up and start living my life how I want to do it, know what I mean?”

The Colorado lightweight’s penchant for adrenaline have seen motocross and rock climbing accidents almost cost him more than his career, but three explosive finishes within 12 months suggest he is finally balancing thrills and spills inside and outside of the cage.

“I’m back! I’m going harder and having more fun,” he continued.

“Looking at my career? I look at it as my life. I feel good in life. I’m definitely having the most fun in my career. I feel good, I’m 31 years old and I feel like life’s going well.”

Rankings

Wins over Evan Dunham, Adriano Martins and Edson Barboza have boosted Cerrone to fifth in the lightweight rankings and he has also won the most bonuses in UFC history for exciting fights.

“Straight after this one I want to go again,” he said regarding his plan of competing six times this year.

“Hopefully I can be on the September card with Jon Jones. That would be awesome, in Vegas. I don’t care who against. There’s a shedload of 155-pounders looking for fights so if they want to fight then speak up. Speak up!

“I don’t pay attention to fighters. Jim’s a great wrestler and submission guy. I don’t pay attention to fights, if I’m not fighting or I’m not directly involved with a team-mate then I don’t follow them.”

Cerrone’s unconventional approach to MMA – characterised by drinking beer in post-fight press conferences – may be the root of his success as he digresses: “We’re going to Indianapolis after to go to NASCAR and watch my buddy race!

“Being the champion would be awesome but having people know that I come to fight every single time is what I want.

“My ultimate goal is to have people see that I’m on a card and want to watch because they know Cowboy is throwing down!”