Donald Cerrone says there is a ‘big misconception’ about pay in fighting Conor McGregor

Donald Cerrone was so close to fighting Conor McGregor in what would have arguably been the biggest fight of his career. Had a fight with the Irish superstar come to fruition, many assumed Cerrone would have received a ‘red panty night’ for the occasion.

However, apparently that was not the case. ‘Cowboy’ recently explained that a fight with McGregor would not have resulted in some multi million dollar payday.

“I don’t know about this payday talk,” Cerrone said at media day (transcript via MMAJunkie). “Everyone thinks you fight Conor, you get paid. We’re under contract, man. Now with the ESPN thing, the pay-per-view buys are already done. It’s not like we get – so it’s a big misconception. Conor might get paid. ‘Cowboy’ might get a little bump, but it’s not a $10 million night for me by any means.”

Although fighting McGregor would bring more exposure, after coming close to getting the fight Cerrone is no longer chasing it. Instead, he just wants to stay active which is why he is fighting Al Iaquinta on Saturday night in Ottawa.

“It just hard. Especially for this fight, we said we’re going to wait for Conor, he agreed, we were supposed to have it done, then he said he needed more time,” he said. “It kept getting drawn out, so we were like, ‘Nah, not anymore.’ I love fighting, man. I don’t like sitting and waiting. If the fight ever comes to be, I’ll gladly take it. But right now we’re going to chase that belt. That’s the last thing I need to do.”

Ultimately, ‘Cowboy’ has more things to worry about then a potential fight against the Irishman. He is focused on getting a shot at the belt as he knows that is the only way he will get a pay increase.

“I need to go get this belt,” Cerrone said. “That’s where the real money is. Aside from the money, I love it – fighting three, four times a year. I enjoy the training camp. I enjoy this. The whole process to me, I’m going to miss the (expletive) out of it when I’m done. Right now I’m in it, and I love it.”

What do you make of Donald Cerrone’s comments? Sound off in the comment section, PENN Nation!

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 5/2/2019