Donald Cerrone
Active 2011–present · rated in 4 editions · peak overall 85.0
Scouting report
Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone competed extensively across both the WEC and UFC. Born in Denver, Colorado, Cerrone challenged for the lightweight championship while holding long-standing records for the most bouts, wins, and post-fight bonuses in UFC history. His kickboxing and guard are captured by a 92 Kickboxing score, 86 BJJ, and 85 Overall rating.
Peak ratings
By edition
Cerrone produced finishes across 2011 and 2013, stopping Dennis Siver and knocking out Melvin Guillard in round one, and submitting Evan Dunham with a triangle choke at UFC 167 in Las Vegas despite dropping bouts to Nate Diaz and Anthony Pettis. His Muay Thai combinations, switch head kicks, and active guard are reflected in a 90 Kickboxing and 82 Boxing.
Cerrone went on a seven-fight winning streak from 2014 to 2015, stopping Adriano Martins, Edson Barboza, Jim Miller and John Makdessi and beating Eddie Alvarez, Myles Jury and Benson Henderson on decisions before dropping a title fight to Rafael dos Anjos in Orlando. His head kicks, combinations, and fight activity anchor his 92 Kickboxing and 90 Cardio ratings during this surge.
Moving up to welterweight in 2016, Cerrone scored four consecutive stoppage victories over Alex Oliveira, Patrick Cote, Rick Story, and Matt Brown before dropping tough scraps to Jorge Masvidal and Robbie Lawler in 2017. His striking firepower, head kicks, and chin are reflected in a 92 Kickboxing and 84 Boxing score across both weight classes.
Returning to lightweight in 2019, Cerrone knocked out Alexander Hernandez in Brooklyn and dominated Al Iaquinta over five rounds in Ottawa, earning title contender matchups against Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje. His technical boxing combinations, ring presence, and kicking variety justify his 84 Boxing and 90 Kickboxing ratings in this late-career run.
Donald Cerrone fought everyone, and mostly enjoyed it
Donald Cerrone earned the nickname Cowboy and one of the busiest careers in UFC history by taking fights whenever they were offered. He came into the sport with a Muay Thai base and a jiu-jitsu black belt, and he fought at both lightweight and welterweight. As a draft pick, he gives you an experienced striker who is never boring.
Cerrone attribute by attribute
Boxing. Good enough to hold his own. He threw crisp punches, though his boxing tended to be a setup for his kicks.
Kickboxing. The star. Muay Thai kicks to the legs, body and head, with knees and elbows in the clinch.
Wrestling. The weak area. He can defend some takedowns but was outwrestled by stronger opponents.
BJJ. A dangerous black belt who could finish from the bottom, and he was quick to hunt a submission.
Strength. Adequate. He is a long, rangy fighter more than a powerful one.
Durability. Reasonable early on, but he got hurt in some of his late fights.
Cardio. Strong. He fought a busy, steady pace for a long career.
Fight IQ. Experienced. He knew how to use his range, although he sometimes started slowly in big fights.
Where he earns his spot: Kickboxing
Kickboxing is his best mark. Cerrone's kicks were the reason a lot of his fights ended early, and his clinch work made him dangerous whenever things got close. He does best as a striker who lets the other guy come to him.
The gap to cover: Wrestling
Wrestling is the lowest number on his sheet. When a stronger wrestler tied him up along the fence, he could be neutralised for long stretches. Balance him with a lineup member who can keep the fight standing or handle a grappler.
Keep exploring
Closest lightweight profiles to Donald Cerrone, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Anthony Pettisbest kickboxing 96 · weakest wrestling 76
- Dan Hookerbest kickboxing 90 · weakest wrestling 78
- Jorge Masvidalbest cardio 88 · weakest strength 78
- Paul Felderbest kickboxing 88 · weakest bjj 76
- Lightweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Donald Cerrone's strongest attribute, Kickboxing.
Draft Donald Cerrone into your build
Donald Cerrone enters the pool on any spin landing on lightweight between 2010 and 2019. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Donald Cerrone is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Donald Cerrone's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.