Paige VanZant is 100 percent behind Donald Cerrone’s comeback.

Cerrone retired from MMA in 2022 after a seven-fight streak where he couldn’t pick up a win.

The fan favorite recently announced he’ll be returning to the Octagon as he tries to become the first athlete to reach 50 appearances across the UFC and WEC.

However, ‘Cowboy’ has faced some backlash for returning to MMA after openly admitting that he has been using performance-enhancing drugs during his time away from the sport.

READ MORE: ‘Your brain doesn’t heal from steroids’… Bellator champion Johnny Eblen slams UFC Hall of Famer Donald Cerrone over controversial return from retirement

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesPaige VanZant can’t wait to see Donald Cerrone back in actionDaniel Cormier has criticized Cerrone for his comeback decision, but Paige VanZant is fully behind the 41-year-old as he prepares to ‘piss clean’ and fight again.

“Oh, absolutely, he’s ‘Cowboy,’” she said when asked by MMA Fighting if she’ll be watching Cerrone’s return bout.

VanZant continued: “One, he will forever be a draw, be a trailblazer, one of the greatest of all-time. I think there’s some incredible matchups for him in the UFC. As a fan of his, and knowing him as a person, it’s extremely exciting.”

On Thursday, VanZant will make her sophomore Power Slap appearance.

The 30-year-old will take on Chelsea Dodson, who is the wife of former UFC flyweight contender John Dodson, at Power Slap 9 in Abu Dhabi.

’12 Gauge’ had never come across Mrs. Dodson before they were matched up against each other, but she did spend time training with ‘The Magician’ at Cerrone’s famous ranch when she was an up-and-coming MMA prospect.

VanZant added: “I was such a fan of John’s in the UFC.

“I went and trained at Donald Cerrone’s house, on his ranch, when I was 18 years old, and I was fortunate enough to train at [Jackson-Wink], and [John] was there. He couldn’t have been more friendly and nice.”

“Of course, being in the UFC world, and now the BKFC world, it’s just a cool experience to see these worlds colliding.”

Dana White doesn’t want to see Donald Cerrone fight againWhile VanZant and a bunch of MMA fans are really looking forward to another ‘Cowboy’ fight, Dana White ‘hates’ the idea of seeing him back in the cage.

The UFC boss expressed his unfiltered opinion on Cerrone’s comeback announcement after filming an episode of the Contender Series on October 15.

White said: “He retired, for what? What’s left to prove? If you want to make money, let’s figure something else out. I hate it.

“When guys retire, they retire for a reason. They retire because they know it’s over, they know it is. Not just this sport but any professional sport is hard to walk away from. Not just the money, that’s obviously a very hard part of it, but the feeling of walking out of that tunnel, the feeling of getting in the cage and the place is packed.”

“He’s beloved because the guy goes to war, he’s been in wars for years, and it’s time to not go to war anymore. There’s nothing left to prove for him.

“I’d rather work something else out with him, figure out another way. If it’s about money, then he can do something else. Because he ain’t going to fight for the rest of his life and he’s always going to need to make money.

“So, let’s figure that out now instead of three years from now. Cerrone needs to think about what’s next. He should have been thinking about it two years ago but apparently, he didn’t, and he needs to.

“But we’re here for him, we love Cerrone, we’ll help in any way we can.”

READ MORE: Dana White invites undefeated fighter on stage after he hijacked UFC 308 press conference to beg for a UFC contract