Cerrone (left) and McGregor (photo via YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Donald Cerrone has his sights set on avenging a previous loss to Anthony Pettis at UFC 249. But, the popular fighter admits his quick loss to Conor McGregor in January still stings.

Cerrone has agreed to fight the former lightweight champ at the May 9th event, which will take place in Jacksonville, Florida. It will be the first time “Cowboy” has fought since UFC 246 in January, when he was stopped by McGregor in just 40 seconds.

While talking to MMA Fighting ahead of UFC 249, Cerrone had this to say about his devastating loss to McGregor.

“My brain was definitely rattled from the ass-whooping I took in 40 seconds. But I feel good. My eye healed up enough. My heart is still hurt, but that’s what makes it a man’s sport. We go in there and figure it out.”

“That’s the only thing you can do is to suck it up and keep moving,” he said. “I can’t dwell on that. Can’t sit and worry about all that. I had my moment. I let it go, but at the end of the day, I got in there and did it. I stood with one of the best and I’m proud.

“I’m proud of what I’ve become in the sport. I’m proud as a father. It’s what I do. I give people hope and I keep fighting. That’s how we do it.”

Cerrone (36-14, 1 NC) faced Pettis (22-10) back in 2013 and was stopped in the opening round. “Showtime”, meanwhile, is coming off a submission loss to Diego Ferreira in January.