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Donald Cerrone on Second Loss to Rafael dos Anjos: ‘Sometimes You Just Don’t Show Up’
Athletes do everything they can do to prepare for competition during a training camp. They go through a rigorous conditioning regiment and simulate fight-night conditions, but sometimes they simply have an off night.
That’s what perennial lightweight contender Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone says happened to him at UFC on FOX 17 on Dec. 19 when he faced champion Rafael dos Anjos for a second time.
“Sometimes you just don’t show up to work and you get you’re ass kicked,” said Cerrone during the event’s post-fight press conference.
Cowboy, who has traditionally been a slow starter, was overwhelmed by dos Anjos in the opening round of the lightweight title fight.
“He put a great onslaught of punches on me. He did a great job overwhelming me,” recalled Cerrone. “Sometimes you just don’t show up, and in our profession, it’s a bad day.”
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The 32-year-old veteran headed into the rematch with dos Anjos riding an eight-fight winning streak. He was well trained and confident, but when it came time to fight, something was amiss.
While recognizing that he wasn’t on top of his game for whatever reason, Cerrone was careful not to discredit the champion’s performance or make excuses for the loss.
“Sometimes you just don’t show up. I don’t have an excuse. I just wasn’t there. He did a great job. He showed up and did what he needed to do,” he said.
The fight was dos Anjos’ first title defense, and his third knockout finish in his last five outings.
