After 11 years in the UFC, and following a second-round submission loss to Jim Miller, his sixth defeat in a row, Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone announced his retirement in front of a sold-out crowd at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas at UFC 276.
Cerrone leaves the sport with the second-most finishes in the UFC (16) and is tied for the second-most wins in UFC history (23). Cerrone's 38 appearances in the Octagon are the second-most in the promotion's history.
Here's a look at what others around the sport had to say about a UFC legend hanging up the gloves.
The last time we will see Cowboy exit the Octagon 😢 #UFC276 pic.twitter.com/H0bUv1SzOO
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 3, 2022
The end of an era. The fighter I admired most when it came to living life to the fullest while being a competitor, @Cowboycerrone paved the way fighters like me. Thank you Donald. #UFC276
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) July 3, 2022
Congratulations @Cowboycerrone on an amazing career, thank you for all of the great fights. #Legend
— Dan "50k" Ige (@Dynamitedan808) July 3, 2022
Congrats legend mr anywhere anyone anytime 🙏🙏🙏
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 3, 2022
Thank you @Cowboycerrone for all u have done for the game!!!#UFC276 #Legend
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) July 3, 2022
What a moment. Thank @Cowboycerrone 🙏 Standing ovation #TMOBILEARENA 🫡 Enjoy retirement Cowboy 🇺🇸
— Mark O. Madsen (@MarkTheOlympian) July 3, 2022
@Cowboycerrone Thank you.
— CharlesAirJourdain (@JourdainAir) July 3, 2022
Legend. Inspiration. Cowboy 🫡🤠#UFC276
Much respect 🫡 and thank you for paving the way for the rest of us @Cowboycerrone #ufc276
— Chris "El Guapo" Gutierrez (@CGutierrezMMA) July 3, 2022
Cerrone leaves the sport with his hands all along the record books, per ESPN Sports & Information:
Cerrone's 38 fights are tied with Andrei Arlovski for second-most all-time in UFC history.
Cerrone retires with 23 UFC wins, tied for the second-most in the promotion's history.
Cerrone ends his career with 18 career postfight bonuses, tied with Charles Oliveira for most in UFC history.