Donald Cerrone hints at return to lightweight division

Donald Cerrone’s first four fights in the UFC welterweight division could not have gone better, as he delivered decisive stoppage wins over game foes in Alex Oliveira, Patrick Cote, Rick Story, and Matt Brown. Unfortunately, his subsequent time in the division hasn’t gone as he hoped, as he’s sandwiched a knockout defeat of Yancy Medeiros between knockout losses to Jorge Masvidal and Darren Till, and decision defeats to Robbie Lawler and Leon Edwards.

Having gone 1-4 in his last five welterweight bouts, it sounds as though “Cowboy” is now plotting a return to the lightweight division, where his UFC career began. He hinted at this lightweight return in a Thursday morning post to Instagram.

“The look I give the 155ers when they think ol’ Cowboy is easy prey,” Cerrone said in his Instagram post, essentially confirming his return to the 155-pound lightweight division.

As a lightweight, Cerrone has realized mammoth heights, picking up wins over dangerous foes like Charles Oliveira, Dennis Siver, Jeremy Stephens, Melvin Guillard, KJ Noons, Evan Dunham, Edson Barboza, Jim Miller, Eddie Alvarez, Myles Jury, Benson Henderson, and John Makdessi. Cerrone’s success in the division ultimately earned him a title shot against then lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos. He lost this title fight via first-round TKO, which prompted his move to the welterweight division.

Though nothing is official with respect to Cowboy’s return to the lightweight division, he’s got plenty of fresh options when it comes to potential opponents, as the lightweight landscape has experienced some tectonic shifts while he’s been fighting at welterweight.

Who would you like to see Donald Cerrone fight in his potential return to the 155-pound weight class? Join the conversation in the comments section below.

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 6/28/2018.