Donald Cerrone makes bold prediction for Conor McGregor fight

All signs now point to a crackling gun fight between fan favorite lightweight contenders Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and Conor McGregor — perhaps as soon as this summer, on the dusty streets of Las Vegas.

“It’s definitely gonna be this year,” Cerrone said of the fight at a fan Q&A session ahead of UFC 234 (transcript via MMA Fighting). “This summer, I think, right? Hey, Irish, Australian, American. F*ckin’ root for whoever you want. I’m going in there to fight. I love it, man. I don’t care — boo, cheer.”

If this fight does happen, Cerrone says he plans to stand and trade with the torpedo-fisted Irishman. There will be no takedowns from his side, he assures.

“I’m just gonna go out there and fight my ass off,” Cerrone said. “Man, I really am. I’m definitely gonna stand and fight him. I’m not gonna try to wrestle him. I’m gonna f*ckin’ stand and give y’all want you want to see.”

If this fight unfolds on the feet as planned, Donald Cerrone says he thinks he’ll put Conor McGregor down with a head kick in the second round.

“How about second-round head kick?” Cerrone said.

Head kicks, of course, are one of Cerrone’s many specialities. The beloved gunslinger has executed numerous opponents with this technique, including his last opponent, the streaking Alexander Hernandez. This victory over Hernandez was preceded by a submission triumph over “Platinum” Mike Perry, which marked Cerrone’s final fight in the welterweight division.

Conor McGregor, meanwhile, last fought in October, when he was submitted by UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov in the main event of UFC 229. Just as Cerrone has become known for his head kicks, McGregor is revered for his sniper of a left hand — the very punch he used to capture the UFC lightweight and featherweight titles from Eddie Alvarez and Jose Aldo respectively.

Who do you think wins a fight between Donald Cerrone and Conor McGregor?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 2/9/2019.