Conor McGregor Reacts to Former Opponent Donald Cerrone’s Hall of Fame Induction as Joe Rogan Touts Him as ‘Bonafide Legit Wild Man’

Legendary UFC fighter Donald Cerrone has been announced as a new inductee into the UFC Hall of Fame’s ‘Modern Wing’ as part of the Class of 2023, joining the likes of Anderson Silva, Jose Aldo, and Jens Pulver. The announcement made during the UFC San Antonio event was met with immediate appreciation from fans and fighters alike, who recognized the 38-year-old’s remarkable contributions to the sport.

In honor of his Hall of Fame induction, the UFC recently released a heartwarming montage where his fellow fighters and other UFC personnel, including Dana White, shared their admiration for ‘Cowboy’. The assortment highlighted his former opponent and UFC superstar Conor McGregor and the promotion’s fan-favorite color commentator Joe Rogan, who talked highly about him, acknowledging and appreciating his demeanor as a fighter.

Conor McGregor and Joe Rogan pay respect to Donald Cerrone

Donald Cerrone, a former WEC and UFC lightweight, has had an illustrious MMA career spanning over sixteen years, with a remarkable record of 36-17-0(2 NC) under his belt. A recent honorary Hall of Fame montage highlighted the best moments of his career, where he once held the record of most finished and wins in the promotion and remains in the second spot to this day.

In the video, Cerrone’s UFC 246 opponent, Conor McGregor, praised him for his willingness to take on anyone at any time, saying, “He’s step up many a times, he’s taken shot notices, never pulled out.” The Irishman added, “He’s gone through the divisions also, up and down.”

Following this, the UFC commentator Joe Rogan gushed about the ‘Cowboy’ during his part. “He is a bona fide legit wild man. And he is wild, in all aspects of his life. There’s no act. What you see if what you get.”

Later in the video, the 39-year-old Cerrone encapsulated his UFC journey in heartfelt words, making it a nostalgic sight. ‘Cowboy’ said, “To me, the journey is the funnest part, you know? The fights are cool, don’t get me wrong… I love get in there, fighting. But the journey, man. Where we started, all the fun we had. It’s pretty cool, man. I look back at my career [and] what’s my favorite one? All of them.”

Read more: “A Real Fighter”: Dana White and Donald Cerrone’s Heartfelt Moment After Hall of Fame Induction Goes Viral

As his fighting journey comes to an end, Donald Cerrone now looks to start a new chapter in his life and has big plans for his future.

Next ride for the ‘Cowboy’

After bidding adieu to the sport at UFC 276 last year after his fight with Jim Miller, he wore the retirement hat, but that was merely in regard to the fighter in him. But next in line, he has his Hollywood journey that he is excited about.

During the addressal to the media after his Hall of Fame induction announcement, he was asked if he was missing the realm of mixed-martial arts, to which he replied, “No, I don’t. I miss the camaraderie, I miss all you guys back here, I miss this[press conferences]. I miss the training with the groups and the getting ready, but being in there and fighting, I don’t, you know. It’s time. It was time to bow out and like I said I’m going to Hollywood and that’s my next plan. That’s my next mission, so I enjoy moving forward with all that and I’m loving the adventure I’m on now.”

Fighters like Donald Cerrone are rare to witness. And it has certainly been a delight for every fight fan to follow his illustrious journey. Been one hell of a ride, ‘Cowboy’.

Watch this story: MMA Fighters React to UFC San Antonio