What really mattered at UFC on ESPN+ 9? Here’s a thing or five…

1. Warning: Watch for surging ‘Cowboy’

For the first time since 2016, Donald Cerrone has himself a three-fight winning streak. Even better, that streak includes legit opponents in two different weight classes, and he’s looked good against all of them. He’s looked so good, in fact, that even the UFC’s matchmaking has changed. Instead of trying to use his broken old body as a stepping stone for young talent, now we’re seeing him matched up with other fun headbangers near the top of the division.

Old Cerrone was good, but Dad Cerrone (36-11 MMA, 23-8 UFC) is something else entirely.

So now we find ourselves back in a familiar position, wondering whether “Cowboy” Cerrone is UFC title material or just a fun guy to throw into a Fight Night main event. He insists it’s the former. If he doesn’t get a title shot next (or Conor McGregor), he’ll be “thoroughly disappointed.”

But then, the field at lightweight is so very crowded and the future so terribly uncertain. And you know it wouldn’t be the first time Cerrone ended up disappointed with how the UFC brass views him. Help us, Conor. You may be our only hope.

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