Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone won’t take Conor McGregor fight to the ground at UFC 246, as he looks for KO over submission
Donald Cerrone says he will go toe-to-toe with Conor McGregor on Saturday rather than take their fight to the ground.
The two face off at UFC 246 and will be McGregor’s first time back in the Octagon since his defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov in October 2018.
Many have been speculating about what game plan ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone will use against the former two-weight champion.
The perceived weakness in McGregor’s game is his wrestling, as he was submitted by Nate Diaz and Nurmagomedov, but his opponent wants to stand up and fight.
When asked if he would be taking the fight to the ground on Saturday, Cerrone told : “I probably should but I don’t think I will.
"I like to fight too. I like to get in there and throw down.
“Everyone says his stand-up is amazing so why not go and test it.
Many believe that should the fight go to the ground, Cerrone is likely to win it, while the power McGregor has in his left hand is a weapon that could end any brawl.
“Everyone says ‘you want to just stand there, you are going to get knocked out. That’s a stupid decision’. But it’s my decision. It’s my stupidity. Who the f*** are you to tell me what I can do. I know who I am and I look in the mirror and I know exactly who I am.
“Why wouldn’t I want to stand with one of the best? Why not? Can I take the punch? That’s a question I want to know.
“Can he take my f****** kicks? That’s a question I want to know. Maybe Conor will shoot on me and I will do just like [Mike] Perry and say ‘oh let’s go’.
“I’m sure he’s working his wrestling defence. I’m sure he’s working on his offensive wrestling. He’s very intelligent as a fighter and there’s no areas that he’s going to put himself into that he hasn’t addressed.
“I’m sure he thinks I’m gonna take him down. So I’m he’s worked his takedown defence and sweeps and submissions and defence. The guy is going to be prepared – as are we.”