Twisted Steel Makes his MSG Debut at the PBR's Unleash the Beast

by Warren Rosenberg, MetroSports Magazine - January 6, 2024

As had many before him - Cassius Clay in 1962, Patrick Ewing in 1985, and Conor McGregor in 2016 – the elite athlete,Twisted Steel, made his Madison Square Garden debut this past Friday evening, January 5, 2024, as part of the Round 1 action at the Professional Bull Riders opening night of Unleash the Beast’s Monster Energy Buck-Off at The Garden. Twisted steel is, indeed, a beast weighing in at 1,400 pounds.

Above, Twisted Steel entering the MSG Arena after arriving at the 33rd Street service entrance

Twisted Steel is one of the rank bulls competing side-by-side, or better yet top-and-bottom, against the human riders of the PBR - and he prevailed in his MSG debut bucking off Caden Bunch in 2.46 seconds. Twisted Steel is owned by Dana White, President and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) series. As noted in a previous MetroSports Magazine article, there is some irony in Twisted Steel and his bovine brethern competing as welcomed elite athletes on Manhattan's west side, near the location of numerous cattle slaughterhouses in what is still referred to as 'the Meatpacking District'.

Above: Twisted Steel bucking off Caden Bunch in Friday's action at The Garden. Photo credit - Warren Rosenberg www.nyspg.com

Also present at MSG on the PBR’s opening night this Friday was retired UFC mixed martial artist Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, a member of the UFC Hall of Fame. Cowboy Cerrone is known for his eagerness to fight “anyone, anytime, anywhere”, a statement he has uttered many times. Although Cerrone had fought in NYC before, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, he has never fought in Madison Square Garden. Although he was scheduled to do so in UFC 205 in 2017, the fight never happened because his opponent failed to make weight. He did spend time in NYC in promotional events for that fight as seen on a Youtube video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Wjm2-6nb4w

Above: Twisted Steel sets his sights on Border Patrol bullfighter Lucas Teodoro. Photo credit - Warren Rosenberg

Being known for his statement to fight “anyone, anytime, anywhere”, he asked the Garden’s sold-out crowd, “what do you think MSG, do you think I should give Twisted Steel a shot and get on him?” Asked by the announcer if he was serious he told the crowd “I’m dead serious, I’ve never said no to a fight”. The announcer then asked him “am I hearing that UFC Hall of Famer Cowboy Cerrone just threw out the challenge out to Dana White’s Twisted Steel to match up for 8 seconds?” to which Cowboy answered “1,000%, I’m ready – what you think New York City?” The crowd enthusiastically said yes.

We’ll see what happens and, if the event occurs in NYC, perhaps it will give Cowboy Cerrone his first opportunity to fight in MSG.