Dana White Fires Back At People Who Said Conor McGregor vs Donald Cerrone Was Fixed

Dana White has fired back at critics who claimed Conor McGregor's return fight was rigged.

McGregor beat Donald Cerrone, the man who the most fights and wins in UFC history, in 40 seconds after a 15-month hiatus from fighting.

He didn't get caught with a single strike, nor did the Irishman's slicked-back hair move out of place during the encounter.

Nate Diaz, who McGregor fought twice at welterweight, pulled no punches with his assessment on the bout.

But UFC president White had some stern words for anyone of the opinion the fight was fixed.

"I know that there are always critics. And there is always somebody who has an opinion. People are gonna say Cowboy was shot, which is total bullshit," White said after the fight, as per Essentially Fight.

"Conor McGregor came out, he looked fast, he hit hard, he had a gameplan, and he finished a real tough kid who came to win.

"I was blown away. He looked unbelievable."

Image: PA

McGregor was out of the traps straight away. After missing with a left hook, he smashed Cerrone with a number of shoulder strikes in the clinch - breaking his nose and possibly even his cheekbone in the process.

A brutal head kick and ground and pound brought about the stoppage from referee Herb Dean, who had no choice but to intervene and give Cerrone a third consecutive TKO defeat.

After the fight Cerrone said he had "never seen anything like the shoulder shot" he got hit with and was "disorientated" as a result.

McGregor has a number of options as far as his next fight concerned but is desperate to secure his rematch with rival Khabib Nurmagomedov - something White is also definitely interested in making happen.

Speaking post-fight, White explained: "When you look at this for Khabib, Khabib is 28-0, undefeated, you start talking about this kid's legacy. To go 28-0 in this sport, I don't care who he fought, it's tough to do. This guy's a world champion.

"After tonight, and with how Khabib won the first time and how famous Khabib has become after that first fight, we're looking at Hagler vs Hearns, Ali vs Foreman, Ali vs Fraser.

"This is a massive fight with global appeal, it's the fight to make, it's the fight that makes sense."

Topics: Donald Cerrone, Conor Mcgregor, UFC News, MMA News, UFC, MMA, Dana White, Donald Cerrone, Conor Mcgregor, UFC News, MMA News, UFC, MMA, Dana White

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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