BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Donald Cerrone hoped to get Conor McGregor for his return to the lightweight division. Instead, he got Alexander Hernandez.
But as it turns out, McGregor (21-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) was watching. The former two-division champion and top UFC star witnessed Cerrone’s impressive win and agreed to a fight on Twitter. Cerrone (35-11 MMA, 22-8 UFC) got the message backstage and tried not to get too excited.
“That’d be cool,” he told reporters at Barclays Center, which hosted UFC on ESPN+ 1. “I hope the fight goes through. I can’t get my hopes up.”
With McGregor or any major star, the devil is always in the details. A hearing with the Nevada State Athletic Commission regarding the UFC 229 melee is next for the Irish star, and UFC President Dana White has mentioned a rematch with Dustin Poirier as a possibility.
“He dictates everything, man,” Cerrone said of McGregor. “I can say yes. Well, I can’t say I’ll fight anybody anymore, because now I told my team I’ll take it easy. I want a top-five guy. Conor’s (No.) 2. That equals top-five to me. He’s the master of talking (expletive). I’m sure he’ll try and get under my skin. It will be fun.”
Hernandez (10-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) tried to get under Cerrone’s skin, and it didn’t work out so well. After a strong start for the up-and-comer, Cerrone’s experience showed through with opportunistic attacks in transition that did major damage. A head kick set the end in motion in the second round.
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Cerrone might have vowed not to go back to his old self when it comes to activity. Two months, however, seemed just long enough of a break.
“March, April, May – the sun’s out,” Cerrone said. “I can bring my boat and RV to (Las) Vegas. I’m sure it will be in Vegas, or Ireland. (Expletive) yeah. Let’s go.”
A return to McGregor’s homeland? White chuckles at the idea. Although he didn’t want to commit to anything, the UFC boss said he isn’t opposed to matching up McGregor and Cerrone.
“I mean, anything’s possible,” White said. “If those guys want that and the fans want to see it, that’s what I do.”
McGregor long has promised fans a headliner in Croke Park, a massive soccer stadium Dublin. Logistics have thus far proven to be an obstacle, but then again, the promotion could do worse to put two of its most exciting fighters in front of one of the most enthusiastic crowds known to the sport.
“Obviously, don’t run out there and say that’s the fight I’m making,” White said. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. But I like the fact that two of these guys that are complete dogs and fight anybody are willing to fight each other. That’s fun.”
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