Conor McGregor's UFC title win impressed Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone

Conor McGregor’s potential next opponent, Donald Cerrone, has admitted the Irishman’s 13-second win over Jose Aldo last week was “inspiring”.

Cerrone, nicknamed 'Cowboy', fights for the UFC lightweight championship against Rafael dos Anjos this weekend - and new featherweight king McGregor has already signalled his intention to fight the winner.

Cerrone, who could be the man between McGregor becoming the first fighter to hold two UFC belts simultaneously, admitted his future foe put in a spectacular performance to dethrone Jose Aldo last weekend.

He said my name. I won't get into the reasons I don't like Conor - but after I whip Dos Anjos we can get to that fight.

Cerrone told Sky Sports: "Unbelievable, man. The dude went out there and did everything that he said he'd do.

"He shocked the world in 13 seconds. How awesome is that? It's hard for me to beat 13 seconds but it's inspiring because he went out there and did what he said he'd do. My hat is off to him.

"But I'm not particularly a fan. Why? He said my name. I won't get into the reasons I don't like Conor - but after I whip Dos Anjos we can get to that fight.

"Let me get through this one then we can talk Conor."

Cerrone is widely focusing on the task immediately at hands before considering a fight with McGregor, because he has already lost once to upcoming opponent Dos Anjos.

That was two-and-a-half years ago and, since then, the Brazilian has captured the 155-pounds title, while an eight-fight winning streak means Cerrone has earned his first crack at UFC gold.

"It's a long time ago now but I remember our first fight," Cerrone said. "The dude hit me very hard, and for the whole second round I don't remember anything.

"The third, I starting coming back into it but this time it's a five-round war so I hope he's ready. Sure, he's absolutely got a lot better but so have I.

"I am never more or less motivated for a fight - it's always the same. Makes no difference, this feels like any other fight. I think about this like it's a whole new fight against a whole new opponent because I feel like a new guy since we last fought."

So is he nervous to challenge for a world championship? Fighting inside a cage is perhaps the safest of Cerrone's many extreme hobbies so he has been preparing the only way he knows how.

'Cowboy' didn't hesitate to remind Sky Sports that our phone call had interrupted a high-octane trip onto the Orlando water.

"I've been wake-boarding, having a good time," he said. "Probably going to the skate park. You know, just playing. Christmas in Florida, hell yeah.

"Why would I calm anything down? I'm not fighting until Saturday."