What is Donald Cerrone's Net Worth?
Donald Cerrone is an American retired professional mixed martial artist and former professional kickboxer with a net worth of $9 million. Known as "Cowboy," Cerrone competed in the UFC's Lightweight and Welterweight divisions, often ranking among the top five UFC lightweight fighters in the world. With 38 fights over an 11-year tenure, he holds the record as one of the busiest fighters in UFC history.
Early Life
Donald Anthony Cerrone was born on March 29, 1983, in Denver, Colorado. Diagnosed with attention deficit disorder at a young age, he did not receive treatment and was considered a troubled child, often involved in street fighting and overnight jail stays. At 16, he moved in with his paternal grandmother, Jerry Cerrone, who frequently bailed him out of trouble.
Cerrone attended Air Academy High School, where he began bull riding. By 20, encouraged by a friend, he started training in kickboxing, which led to his involvement in Muay Thai. After winning several kickboxing competitions, Cerrone transitioned to mixed martial arts.
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MMA Career
Donald Cerrone began his career at the Freedom Fighters gym in Commerce City, Colorado. Competing initially in the lightweight division from 2006 to 2015, he moved to welterweight from 2016 to 2018, then reverted to lightweight before returning again to welterweight in 2019 for a fight against Conor McGregor, ultimately losing via first-round technical knockout.
Early in his career, Cerrone won multiple kickboxing championships. Making his MMA debut in February 2006 with a victory over Nate Mohr, he held a 9-0 record prior to a loss to Jamie Varner for the WEC Lightweight Championship in January 2009. In February 2011, Cerrone debuted in the UFC, defeating Paul Kelly and earning Fight of the Night. His UFC career boasted six Fights of the Night, three Knockouts of the Night, seven Performances of the Night, and two Submissions of the Night. By June 2016, after defeating Patrick Cote, his record stood at 30-7. Cerrone retired following his loss to Jim Miller at UFC 276, ending with a record of 36 wins, 17 losses, and two no-contests.
In July 2023, Cerrone was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
Earnings
In January 2020, Cerrone was guaranteed a minimum of $2 million for fighting Conor McGregor at UFC 246. Throughout his UFC career, Cerrone earned over $6.8 million.
Personal Life
Donald Cerrone and his wife, Lindsay, have three sons. In 2014, Cerrone established the MMA gym BMF Ranch on his Edgewood, New Mexico property to support his training partners and reduce training camp costs.
Cerrone is friends with Rob McElhenney of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," who has trained at BMF Ranch. Cerrone appeared in season 12's episode "Wolf Cola: A Public Relations Nightmare" alongside Paul Felder, Megan Olivi, and Dana White.
