Cerrone re-enters UFC's drug-testing pool ahead of comeback bid

Donald Cerrone has taken the next step toward returning to the UFC by entering the promotion's drug-testing pool, the Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) confirmed, per MMA Fighting's Mike Heck.

"I just re-entered the testing pool so I have to be six months clean," Cerrone said in a recent appearance on a podcast hosted by Adam "Pacman" Jones. "Probably June or July we'll make the comeback. I'm coming back for two more. Just two more. I want 50 fights (in the) UFC.

Cerrone, 41, initially announced his retirement from mixed martial arts following a submission loss to Jim Miller at UFC 276 in 2022. The Colorado native lost six of his final seven bouts before leaving the sport.

But "Cowboy" had a change of heart: In October, he announced his intention to return and to fight again in 2025.

The former lightweight and welterweight contender also shared that he'd likely move up to middleweight for his last dance in the cage.

"I think it will be 185 (pounds)," Cerrone said, according to The Uncrowned's Drake Riggs. "We'll see how my weight maintains when I start picking up training."

Considered one of the promotion's most active competitors during his tenure, Cerrone has participated in the third-most fights in UFC history (38) and is in a three-way tie with Charles Oliveira and Andrei Arlovski for the second-most wins under the same banner.