Donald Cerrone admits that the mental game held him back in the past. He’s traditionally been a huge talker, but it didn’t always translate in the Octagon. That’s changed since the middle of 2010.
In recent fights, it’s all come together for “Cowboy,” who looks to add to a five-fight win streak this Saturday against Denis Siver at UFC 137.
The new Cerrone is finishing fights in brutal fashion and he’s retained the ability to talk trash with the best of them. During UFC 137 workout day, Cerrone called out Gilbert Melendez, Ben Henderson and even featherweight Nam Phan. An extremely juiced Cerrone said he wants another fight before the end of 2011.
Cerrone went into further detail on Melendez and Henderson during a Monday interview with Larry Pepe.
“I don’t reckon [Melendez] should get an instant title shot. I don’t reckon he should be able to come over from Strikeforce and get an instant title shot. I reckon he should come over from Strikeforce and have to fight Cowboy,” Cerrone told ProMMARadio (49:00 mark).
The 28-year-ancient said if he was given a choice of Melendez or Henderson, he’d choose BenHen because he was “embarrassed” by him at WEC 48 when he was choked out.
Cerrone’s finished 3-of-4 fights, but his last victory over Charles Oliveira was huge. He did it via strikes.
“When I was kickboxing, I was knocking people out all the time. I come over to MMA with smaller gloves and a quicker pace and I can’t even touch anyone. There’s was certainly a lot of doubt. ‘What am I doing incorrect? What aren’t I doing?’ Slowly, I’m starting to find me again and figure out where I need to be and go have fun.”
Watch UFC 137 right here on Yahoo! Sports
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