5 Things You Didn’t Know About Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone
1. Cerrone Used To Be A Professional Bull Rider
At 16 years of age, Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone began riding bulls and soon fell in love with the sport.
As a very young man, the future UFC star would travel from town to town in search of rodeos that would provide him with an opportunity to hone his craft. Besides improving his bull riding game, working at these events also allowed him to earn a bit of money as well.
When looking back on his rodeo days, Cerrone told MMA Junkie:
“Chasing the rodeo is paycheck to paycheck. Getting on a bull and riding is just part of the sport. Living the everyday life of a cowboy is tough. There are three or four of you in a car; you pay to enter the rodeo, you pay to eat and gas up the car. I just tried to stay afloat for a couple of years.”
The Denver native would actually end up becoming a fairly accomplished bull rider and a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, which is just a notch below the big time. Those who can make it to the top of the game, Professional Bull Riders, Inc (or PBR), can bring in millions riding the massive beasts.
Of course, Cerrone would decide to give up bull riding and pursue another passion — mixed martial arts.