The UFC has disclosed that Donald Cerrone will be recognized as a member of the Class of 2023 in the ‘Modern Wing’ of the UFC Hall of Fame.
Cerrone, who had a professional MMA career lasting 16 years, fought in a total of 55 fights.
He won 36 of them, with two no-contests, and defeated well-known UFC veterans and champions such as Eddie Alvarez and Benson Henderson.
The classification known as the “Modern Era” pertains to sportspeople who became professional on or after November 17, 2000 – the date of the initial UFC event that adhered to the unified rules of MMA.
Let the emotions flow in 🥹
🤠@CowboyCerrone reacts to being inducted into the #UFCHoF as his family surprises him at #UFCSanAntonio! pic.twitter.com/PxJl9yB2n4
— UFC (@ufc) March 25, 2023
This category also applies to individuals who are at least 35 or have been absent from the sport for a minimum of one year.
Cerrone is set to be inducted into the Modern Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame alongside other notable fighters such as Georges St-Pierre, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Daniel Cormier, and Jose Aldo.
And after having achieved so much, it was only right that Cerrone got all the plaudits. And none more so than from current UFC President Dana White.
In his comments, he said: “Cowboy Cerrone is one of the best lightweights in UFC history. 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.”
If this is something that piques your interest, the ceremony will take place on July 6th, 2023, in Las Vegas.