Donald Cerrone Reflects on Loss to Jorge Masvidal, Says Dana White Gave Him a “Timeout”

Recently it was announced that Donald Cerrone will fight Robbie Lawler at UFC 213 in July, but, not surprisingly, “Cowboy” was hoping to scrap before that.

Cerrone’s last fight went down in January when he took on Jorge Masvidal at UFC on FOX 23. The bout didn’t go Cerrone’s way, however, as the welterweight contender was taken out by Masvidal in the second round. That fight took place less than two months after Cerrone KO’d Matt Brown at UFC 206, and it was the rugged vet’s ninth fight since 2015 began.

Well, after the loss, many people argued Cerrone should take a break from competing. Recently the 34 year-old was a guest on ESPN’s Five Rounds Podcast, and Cerrone reported that Dana White was in agreement with those folks (quote via Bloody Elbow):

“I would have fought sooner, but [UFC president Dana White] put me in timeout for a while,” Cerrone said, in advance of his July 8th bout with Lawler.

“After the [Masvidal loss], he said, ‘You’re in timeout.’ I asked if I could call him for a fight and he said, ‘No.’ I said, ‘Come on. ‘ He said, ‘No.'”

There you have it. Considering how much Cerrone has fought in recent years, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. While discussing his defeat to Masvidal, Cerrone also reported this:

“When the doctor tried to look at me and make sure I was OK — told me to take three steps forward or he’d stop the fight — I don’t remember any of that s—. So, yeah. It is what it is.”

It’s going to be interesting to see how both Cerrone and Lawler look at UFC 213. The latter will be fighting for the first time since last July, when Tyron Woodley ended his reign as champ via knockout.

UFC 213 will go down at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.