Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone earns Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt

Although Donald Cerrone is lauded for his kickboxing ability and dynamic striking, Cowboy is also a highly skilled Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner.

The combat sports veteran has 16 submissions to his name and, last night at Easton Training Center in Denver, Colorado, Cerrone was awarded his BJJ black belt under Eliot Marshall.

The black belt comes after 10 years of hard work and dedication, as the 33-year-old first made his MMA debut at Ring of Fire 21 in 2006, winning his first fight via triangle choke.

Cerrone, a former WEC and UFC lightweight title challenger, has reinvented himself at welterweight and looks to be on track for another title shot. The Jackson-Wink fighter has won his last three, beating Alex Oliveira, Patrick Cote and Rick Story by stoppage, and is currently ranked as the No. 7 welterweight in the world.

Cerrone recently called for a shot against current lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez, who he beat decisively in 2014, but UFC president Dana White wants Cerrone to stay put at welterweight.