As Donald Cerrone prepares to fight in his 53rd, pro-MMA bout, there has been some speculation about whether “Cowboy” could hang-up-the-gloves in the not too distant future.

But, as the fan-favorite gets set to throw hands with Niko Price this Saturday at UFC Vegas 11, Cerrone’s made it clear he’s not even thinking about walking away from the game.

Cerrone says retirement hasn’t entered his mind

As Cerrone heads into his latest bout, the now 37-year-old fighter is on a four-fight losing skid. Due to that fact, and because Cerrone turns 38 next March, there has finally, been some chatter about whether “Cowboy’s” career could be winding down.

But, while talking to the media ahead of his latest bout, Cerrone quickly shot down any kind of retirement talk (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“Hell no,” Cerrone said. “No. Not even in my train of thought. Wrong question.”

The New Mexico fighter also talked about the possibility that if he continues to lose, the UFC could call on him to retire, or not offer him any more bouts.

“I would like to say yeah (UFC will keep me forever), but also on the same breath, how many – I don’t even want to think about losing again because it could happen,” Cerrone said. “I’ve trained my ass off, I’m ready to rock and roll.

I’m planning on being here for a long time. I’m going to leave when I’m done. I don’t ever want the walking papers.

When ‘Cowboy’s’ done fighting, I’m going to bend my hat and I’m going to say, ‘All right boys, I’ve had enough. I’m out.’

I don’t ever want to have them call my manger and release me, that would totally suck. I’m going to keep fighting my ass off.”

Not only that, Cerrone had this to say about folks who believe the star should look at walking away from the game.

“All the naysayers, all those people who say, ‘You’ve lost four in a row, you don’t belong you should be retired’ – I don’t give a (expletive),” Cerrone said.

“I don’t care if I need to prove anything, I don’t need to prove something. This one’s just for me. I get to look myself in the mirror Saturday morning and go like, ‘Let’s go, baby.’

This is for you. I get to have all the fun I want with no expectations, no must-wins, no must-dos.

No nothing. Just fight my fight and do what I do and love every second of it and have fun and enjoy it.

That’s how I’m going to be victorious no matter how the fight goes for me. There’s no wrong way this fight can go.”

Comments aren’t a surprise

Now, if you follow Cerrone, then none of these statements should come as a surprise. After every win, or loss, he’s always keen to fight again and soon.

But…if Cerrone does incur another couple of losses, and if they’re stoppages, calls for him to retire are going to increase. The rugged fighter has been finished in three of his last four fights, and Cerrone has been in a lot of wars over the years.

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