The UFC world has always been a peculiar blend of raw combat and curated spectacle, and Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone’s recent adventure into the world of aesthetic surgery fits right in. The retired MMA star, known for his rugged persona, revealed his experience of undergoing a hair transplant in Turkey.
Few MMA stars are openly embracing aesthetic procedures, with the exceptions of image-conscious stars like Paulo Costa and Francis Ngannou, who have candidly discussed their hair transplants. Inspired by Ngannou’s results, Cerrone decided it was time to address his own thinning hairline.
Misconceptions
Cerrone, ever the entertainer, shared his apprehensions about traveling to Turkey for the procedure. His initial thoughts painted a grim picture: slums, makeshift medical setups, and chaotic streets. “I thought Istanbul would be like some guy pulling teeth on the side of the road while I got hair plugs,” he joked.
Instead, Cerrone was greeted by a world-class facility, complete with five-star accommodations and top-notch care. “The hospital’s world-class, the facility’s world-class, everything about it is world-class,” he admitted. Despite his initial fears, he opted to forego anesthesia, jokingly saying, “I’m not waking up with no kidneys, hoss boss.”
The Procedure
Cerrone’s vivid description of the procedure highlights the grit and humor he’s known for. From the 4,000 hair follicles extracted with a “Dremel-like” tool to the meticulous placement of grafts, the process was as intense as one might expect. While he endured significant pain during the extraction phase, he found the rest of the procedure manageable.
The clinic even worked with Cerrone to adjust his hairline, avoiding a style that didn’t align with his image. “I told them, ‘I’m not Puerto Rican. I need the white guy, regular haircut,’” he quipped.
Gratitude
Cerrone credited Francis Ngannou for inspiring him to take the leap, expressing his gratitude in a social media post where he praised the clinic’s professionalism and encouraged others to consider similar procedures. “Don’t be like me and wait. Go sooner!” he advised.
However, the road ahead for Cerrone seems less certain. Having retired in July 2023 after a loss to Jim Miller, Cerrone has attempted to transition into acting—a career shift that may be hampered by his controversial past, including the use of slurs and problematic social media posts.
