UFC lightweight Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone

By Michael Hatamoto

For some people, being a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter simply isn’t a big enough adrenaline rush.

UFC lightweight contender Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone has a long-awaited grudge match against Anthony Pettis at UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Dodson next weekend. However, that hasn’t stopped him from deciding to rock climb around one week until fight night, an activity that might be frowned upon by some MMA observers.

UFC President Dana White had this to say on Twitter:

This is what @cowboycerrone is doing right now! If he gets hurt I’m gonna fucking kill him!!! twitpic.com/bwmtlf twitpic.com/bwmtrf

— Dana White (@danawhite) January 19, 2013

It seems inexcusable Cerrone is willing to put his fighting career on the line – and so close to a fight – by deciding to rock climb. There are a lot of silly little ways a person can be hurt while rock climbing and it’s an activity that is more appropriate after retirement.

In addition to rock climbing, Cerrone has enjoyed motocross, wakeboarding, and bull riding – and had aspirations to become a professional in a few different ‘extreme’ activities.

White has a clause in fighter contracts that prohibits extreme sports, though fighters are still able to ride motorcycles. I’m surprised the “dangerous activity” clause doesn’t include a ban on rock climbing, or White might not actually want to crack down on dangerous extracurricular activities.