UFC CEO Dana White has named Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone as the best fighter in promotion history never to win a championship belt, placing the newly-inducted Hall of Famer above other notable contenders like Chael Sonnen and Alexander Gustafsson. Despite Cerrone’s 36-17 professional record and just one title shot—a devastating 66-second knockout loss to Rafael dos Anjos in 2015—White’s endorsement recognises Cerrone’s remarkable longevity, exciting fighting style, and willingness to face anyone in both the lightweight and welterweight divisions.
The Case for Cowboy: Why Cerrone Earns the Distinction
Donald Cerrone’s credentials as the ultimate “always a bridesmaid, never a bride” fighter are compelling. During his prime, “Cowboy” put together an eight-fight winning streak that earned him his sole title opportunity and established him as one of the most active and exciting fighters on the roster. His record-setting 23 post-fight bonuses stand as a testament to his consistently entertaining performances and willingness to engage in fan-friendly battles.
What truly sets Cerrone apart in this conversation is his remarkable versatility and longevity. He competed at the highest level across two weight classes, collecting notable victories over names like Eddie Alvarez, Benson Henderson, and Jim Miller. While other fighters like Sonnen and Gustafsson had multiple title opportunities, Cerrone’s combination of sustained excellence across 38 UFC appearances and his status as a proven draw make White’s case particularly strong.
The Ghost of What Could Have Been
Cerrone’s championship window was both brief and brutally closed. His 2015 title eliminator against dos Anjos came at the peak of his powers, with Cowboy riding that impressive eight-fight streak. However, the Brazilian champion needed just over a minute to shatter Cerrone’s title dreams with a crushing body shot and follow-up punches.
The loss exposed a pattern that would haunt Cerrone throughout his career—struggles in the very biggest fights. While he remained a top contender for years afterwards, he never secured another title shot, falling short against elite competition like Tony Ferguson, Jorge Masvidal, and Justin Gaethje in fights that could have positioned him for another championship opportunity.
Notable Contenders in the “Best Without a Title” Conversation
While White anointed Cerrone as the definitive choice, several other fighters present compelling cases for the distinction:
Chael Sonnen: Came within moments of defeating Anderson Silva and challenged Jon Jones for the light heavyweight title, but his championship opportunities were limited to three fights.
Alexander Gustafsson: Pushed both Jones and Daniel Cormier to their absolute limits in classic title fights but never captured gold.
Urijah Faber: Dominated the WEC but went 0-4 in UFC/UFC unification title fights despite his longevity and popularity.
Kenny Florian: Challenged for titles in three different weight classes but fell short each time against elite champions.
What separates Cerrone from these contenders is the sheer volume of high-level fights and his unique combination of exciting style and accessibility—famously accepting fights on short notice and maintaining one of the most active schedules in UFC history.
The Hall of Fame Legacy Beyond Championships
Cerrone’s 2024 UFC Hall of Fame induction validated what White’s recent comments reinforce: legacy isn’t solely defined by championship belts. “Cowboy” built his reputation on toughness, excitement, and an old-school mentality that resonated with purists and casual fans alike. His record for most wins, most finishes, and most post-fight bonuses in UFC history creates a statistical foundation that supports White’s claim.
Perhaps most importantly, Cerrone embodied the fighter’s fighter—respected by peers, beloved by fans, and trusted by promoters to deliver excitement regardless of opponent or circumstances. In an era of carefully managed careers and lengthy layoffs, Cerrone’s throwback approach to fighting anyone, anywhere, anytime created a legacy that transcends championship considerations.
Conclusion: The People’s Champion
Dana White’s designation of Donald Cerrone as the best fighter never to win a UFC title ultimately speaks to the intangible qualities that make combat sports compelling. While championships define the record books, fighters like Cerrone define the sport’s heart and soul. His combination of skill, excitement, longevity, and accessibility created a career worthy of Hall of Fame recognition—with or without a championship belt to validate it.
As the UFC continues to crown new champions, Cerrone’s legacy serves as an important reminder that greatness manifests in multiple forms, and that some of the sport’s most valuable contributors never actually wore gold.
Donald Cerrone: The Championship-Free Legacy
Why did Dana White choose Cerrone as the best non-champion?
White cited Cerrone’s exciting style, longevity, willingness to fight anyone, and his record-setting 23 post-fight bonuses as evidence of his impact beyond championship credentials.
How many title shots did Donald Cerrone have?
Cerrone had only one UFC title opportunity—a 2015 lightweight championship fight against Rafael dos Anjos that ended in a first-round knockout loss.
Who are the other top fighters never to win a UFC title?
Notable mentions include Chael Sonnen, Alexander Gustafsson, Urijah Faber, Kenny Florian, and Joseph Benavidez—all of whom had multiple title opportunities but fell short.
What records does Donald Cerrone hold?
Cerrone holds UFC records for most wins (23), most finishes (16), most post-fight bonuses (23), and most head kick knockouts (7).
When was Cerrone inducted into the Hall of Fame?
Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2024, recognising his contributions to the sport despite never winning a championship.
