Donald Cerrone (photo via YouTube)

By Kelsey Mowatt

It sounds like Donald Cerrone was somewhat, caught off guard Saturday, by the news he’s entering the UFC’s Hall of Fame. But, the retired fighter and fan favorite is clearly honored by the accolade.

The induction was announced during this past Saturday’s UFC card in San Antonio, Texas, which Cerrone was attending. While speaking with the media afterward, “Cowboy” commented on the big news (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“Throughout my career, everyone says ‘Future Hall of Famer, future Hall of Famer.’ It just like rattles off, you know?” Cerrone said. “It’s just words. It’s not a real thing until it’s a real thing, you know? It’s crazy. Man, I’m taken away and honored, to be honest. I don’t really have words to express. … I had no clue my family was even here, so that was another surprise.”

The 39-year-old Cerrone fought under the WEC and UFC banner for a decade and a half, and during his run, he took home 18 post-fight bonuses, which is the most all-time. Currently, Cerrone is tied with Andrei Arlovski for the second most UFC wins to date with 23. Cerrone is also tied for the second-most finishes in UFC history with 16.

“Now it’s sinking in to be like, ‘Yeah, I’m in the Hall,’” Cerrone added. “It’s cool, it’s an honor, man. I mean, you look across any major league sport, the Hall of Famers, that’s an important thing, man. To be with the greats of Chuck Liddell, Anderson Silva, Urijah (Faber), the list goes – it’s not that big of a list, to be honest with you, in our game…”

Following Cerrone’s submission loss to Jim Miller last July, which was his sixth defeat in his last seven fights, “Cowboy” announced he was retiring. Cerrone completed his MMA career with a record of 36-17.