Luke Rockhold: Lines In The Sand And Love For The Fight
Luke Rockhold: Lines In The Sand And Love For The Fight
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold talks moving up to fight heavyweights and his love for the scrap.
By Elias Cepeda
Luke Rockhold's calling out of Fabricio Werdum caught the MMA world by complete surprise. What in the world was a middleweight doing asking for a fight against the recent heavyweight champion of the world?
The former middleweight champion tells FloCombat he's back in hard training after multiple serious injuries and a long layoff, that he's motivated to compete again, and that his targeting of Werdum was intentional and sincere. For Rockhold the chance to settle a grudge while also taking on an insane challenging is appealing.
"I like challenging myself," he explains.
"Me and Fabricio have been going at each other for years. To be able to go out there and shut his mouth and settle that…he's talking about a grappling match -- f*ck grappling matches. If you want to fight, let's fight."
Rockhold has, of course, trained for years with the likes of Daniel Cormier and former heavyweight champ Cain Velasquez. So, when he says he can compete with heavyweights, he has a pretty good basis for believing it.
After all, most heavyweights aren't as athletic and skilled as Velasquez and Cormier.
December 12, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Luke Rockhold lands punches against Chris Weidman during UFC 194 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
"Heavyweights, I feel like a lot of heavyweights suck," he deadpans.
"A lot of heavyweights are slow and get away with things. There are elite heavyweights who are obviously good but on average, technically, they're not really on par with other guys."
Rockhold's confidence has reasonable limits, though. He likes how he matches up with Werdum, but doesn't feel that way about all big men.
"I'm no stranger to heavyweights. I know what I'm capable of and I know what I'm not," he reasons.
"There's certain heavyweights that I would not [expletive] with. I'm 210, walking around, and some of these guys with their wrestling skills they could potentially use their size. But guys like Fabricio Werdum, I'd relish the opportunity to fight with guys like that. I think I'd pick him apart."
Having said all that, Rockhold isn't optimistic that Werdum will accept his challenge. The same goes for his challenge of Anderson Silva.
The American Kickboxing Academy star threw those potential match ups out there once he realized he wouldn't get the rubber title match he deserves with champion Michael Bisping, and saw the UFC deciding to go with strange gimmicky match ups over letting top contenders fight champions in recent months. Rockhold isn't opposed to fun fights "for the fans," but wants back in the title picture with the rest of the division's elite.
Jun 4, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Michael Bisping (blue) fights Luke Rockhold (red) during UFC 199 at The Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
In the hours after winning the title by stopping then champion Chris Weidman in December of 2015, Rockhold spoke to me with an excitement about his future. He said that he didn't feel as though he had even hit his prime, yet, and so had reason to believe the best was all yet to come.
After fighting last-minute replacement Bisping while badly injured and losing his title last spring at UFC 199, Rockhold has had to battle his own body as confront a gunked-up middleweight division as the new champion Bisping has understandably fought and looked to continue to fight unranked stars past their prime because of those bouts' marketability. Additionally, Rockhold faced no small amount of personal tragedy given that he lost his father in the past year.
Rockhold is actually only one fight removed from that Weidman win, but given his frustrations with UFC match making and, more importantly, all the personal and physical setbacks he's had in the past year, we wonder out loud if Rockhold is still as enthusiastic about his career and the future. "It's an interesting way to see things," he acknowledges, before pausing.
"It's tough, obviously, seeing what they've done the last couple fights with the title. It's kind of taking away from the integrity of the sport and what this sport's been about. When the title is on the line it's usually the best guys in the world. It's been a proven winner for the company, and it sucks to see them stray away from that. It sucks to see.
"There's been complications with what's happened in the division and we're trying to find the best place to get back at it."
Apr 18, 2015; Newark, NJ, USA; Luke Rockhold (blue) celebrates with his corner after defeating Lyoto Machida (not pictured) in their middleweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Prudential Center. Rockhold won via second round tap out. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
He's aged and perhaps lost a bit of momentum given how long injuries have kept him out of action, but Rockhold insists that he hasn't lost any of his passion for fighting.
"You know, I try to find the meaning in everything and just try to wait for opportunities and see where the chips fall. I'm still hungry. I'm hungry to fight," he asserts.
"I want to get back, I want fights that interest me. I'm not just going to dick around. I'm not going to fight number one contenders with no guarantees. When the best two guys fight each other, the winner of that should fight for the world title."
Rockhold isn't one of those UFC fighters who fight like mad inside the ring but who turn into timid souls outside of it when it comes to speaking out about what he believes is right, wrong, and demanding what he believes he deserves from his promoter. So, Rockhold openly laments that the UFC is allowed to effectively sanction itself and has complete control over rankings and title fights in a way that is against U.S. federal law under the Ali Act because so far MMA has fallen through a loophole and avoided that regulation.
"If you want to relate it to anything, relate it to boxing where there are commissioning bodies that put fights together," he points out.
"Of course you have super fights when they make sense, at the right time, but [outside bodies making sure top contenders fight champions makes sense]."
Apr 26, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Luke Rockhold (top) Tim Boetschat grapple during the first round at Baltimore Arena. Rockhold defeated Boetsch by submission in the first round Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Rockhold has told anyone who will listen that he is down to fight heavyweights, legends, the champion or other top contenders. If he fights a top contender, however, he wants assurance that it will actually be with a title-shot on the line.
In boxing it isn't uncommon for star champions to put in place rematch clauses in their bout agreements so that if they should lose, they'd have the ability to get another crack at their opponent. It also is commonplace in big-time boxing for fights to be postponed or canceled when one of the headliners pulls out with injury close to the scheduled date.
Rockhold didn't hesitate to give Weidman an immediate rematch after he beat him and, when Bisping was offered as a replacement of the injured Weidman at UFC 199, Rockhold accepted the challenge, even though he had an injured knee and already owned a decisive win over "The Count."
So, it makes sense that the fighter doesn't want to get himself in a situation where he doesn't have guarantees on paper regarding title fights in top contender bouts. As reasonable as his demand is, it seems fairly uncommon in MMA and the UFC.
Furthermore, UFC fighters getting paid extra to fight a different opponent on short notice is far from a guarantee. In fact, the likes of Tony Ferguson have even complained that they were paid less to show up than they were originally contracted for when an opponent pulled out.
Rockhold doesn't necessarily agree with the premise that what he's asking for is without precedent in the sport, however. "I think you're wrong and I think you're right," he begins.
"Some fighters don't argue and negotiate on their own behalf, and then some put the company to the test and put these things to contracts. It's happened many a time when you get guarantees for title shots. Then there's guys who take those last-minute fights, jump in and get paid."
All of that is to say that the 32-year-old is waiting around, desperate to keep the UFC happy so that they may benevolently bestow upon him higher wages and better contracts. Rockhold looks to negotiate like he fights -- with a purpose and goals in mind.
"So, everything is negotiable," he concludes. "This is a different time with the company right now."
Apr 26, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Luke Rockhold (top) Tim Boetschat grapple during the first round at Baltimore Arena. Rockhold defeated Boetsch by submission in the first round Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Some months ago Rockhold said that he wouldn't hesitate to leave the UFC and fighting if he didn't get a fair deal from them, in his eyes. In a sport where so many big league athletes still hold down second jobs to make ends meet it is worth asking for clarification -- Is it really possible for Rockhold to not fight and keep a roof over his head and food on his plate?
"Of course it is, man," he quips.
Rockhold may not need to fight to earn a living, but it certainly seems like he needs fighting to truly live. "I'm doing well on the outside but the fact is that I love fighting and this is what it has all been about for me," he says, closing the conversation.
"So, I'm not going to waste my career, my skill set and what I was gifted, raised with for something that is different, you know? I don't get as much out of anything else, really.
"I love fighting, so I want to fight fights that get me excited and get me up. There other stuff is good and all but I do love what I do, and that is fight.
Luke Rockhold's calling out of Fabricio Werdum caught the MMA world by complete surprise. What in the world was a middleweight doing asking for a fight against the recent heavyweight champion of the world?
The former middleweight champion tells FloCombat he's back in hard training after multiple serious injuries and a long layoff, that he's motivated to compete again, and that his targeting of Werdum was intentional and sincere. For Rockhold the chance to settle a grudge while also taking on an insane challenging is appealing.
"I like challenging myself," he explains.
"Me and Fabricio have been going at each other for years. To be able to go out there and shut his mouth and settle that…he's talking about a grappling match -- f*ck grappling matches. If you want to fight, let's fight."
Rockhold has, of course, trained for years with the likes of Daniel Cormier and former heavyweight champ Cain Velasquez. So, when he says he can compete with heavyweights, he has a pretty good basis for believing it.
After all, most heavyweights aren't as athletic and skilled as Velasquez and Cormier.
December 12, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Luke Rockhold lands punches against Chris Weidman during UFC 194 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
"Heavyweights, I feel like a lot of heavyweights suck," he deadpans.
"A lot of heavyweights are slow and get away with things. There are elite heavyweights who are obviously good but on average, technically, they're not really on par with other guys."
Rockhold's confidence has reasonable limits, though. He likes how he matches up with Werdum, but doesn't feel that way about all big men.
"I'm no stranger to heavyweights. I know what I'm capable of and I know what I'm not," he reasons.
"There's certain heavyweights that I would not [expletive] with. I'm 210, walking around, and some of these guys with their wrestling skills they could potentially use their size. But guys like Fabricio Werdum, I'd relish the opportunity to fight with guys like that. I think I'd pick him apart."
Having said all that, Rockhold isn't optimistic that Werdum will accept his challenge. The same goes for his challenge of Anderson Silva.
The American Kickboxing Academy star threw those potential match ups out there once he realized he wouldn't get the rubber title match he deserves with champion Michael Bisping, and saw the UFC deciding to go with strange gimmicky match ups over letting top contenders fight champions in recent months. Rockhold isn't opposed to fun fights "for the fans," but wants back in the title picture with the rest of the division's elite.
Jun 4, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Michael Bisping (blue) fights Luke Rockhold (red) during UFC 199 at The Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
In the hours after winning the title by stopping then champion Chris Weidman in December of 2015, Rockhold spoke to me with an excitement about his future. He said that he didn't feel as though he had even hit his prime, yet, and so had reason to believe the best was all yet to come.
After fighting last-minute replacement Bisping while badly injured and losing his title last spring at UFC 199, Rockhold has had to battle his own body as confront a gunked-up middleweight division as the new champion Bisping has understandably fought and looked to continue to fight unranked stars past their prime because of those bouts' marketability. Additionally, Rockhold faced no small amount of personal tragedy given that he lost his father in the past year.
Rockhold is actually only one fight removed from that Weidman win, but given his frustrations with UFC match making and, more importantly, all the personal and physical setbacks he's had in the past year, we wonder out loud if Rockhold is still as enthusiastic about his career and the future. "It's an interesting way to see things," he acknowledges, before pausing.
"It's tough, obviously, seeing what they've done the last couple fights with the title. It's kind of taking away from the integrity of the sport and what this sport's been about. When the title is on the line it's usually the best guys in the world. It's been a proven winner for the company, and it sucks to see them stray away from that. It sucks to see.
"There's been complications with what's happened in the division and we're trying to find the best place to get back at it."
Apr 18, 2015; Newark, NJ, USA; Luke Rockhold (blue) celebrates with his corner after defeating Lyoto Machida (not pictured) in their middleweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Prudential Center. Rockhold won via second round tap out. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
He's aged and perhaps lost a bit of momentum given how long injuries have kept him out of action, but Rockhold insists that he hasn't lost any of his passion for fighting.
"You know, I try to find the meaning in everything and just try to wait for opportunities and see where the chips fall. I'm still hungry. I'm hungry to fight," he asserts.
"I want to get back, I want fights that interest me. I'm not just going to dick around. I'm not going to fight number one contenders with no guarantees. When the best two guys fight each other, the winner of that should fight for the world title."
Rockhold isn't one of those UFC fighters who fight like mad inside the ring but who turn into timid souls outside of it when it comes to speaking out about what he believes is right, wrong, and demanding what he believes he deserves from his promoter. So, Rockhold openly laments that the UFC is allowed to effectively sanction itself and has complete control over rankings and title fights in a way that is against U.S. federal law under the Ali Act because so far MMA has fallen through a loophole and avoided that regulation.
"If you want to relate it to anything, relate it to boxing where there are commissioning bodies that put fights together," he points out.
"Of course you have super fights when they make sense, at the right time, but [outside bodies making sure top contenders fight champions makes sense]."
Apr 26, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Luke Rockhold (top) Tim Boetschat grapple during the first round at Baltimore Arena. Rockhold defeated Boetsch by submission in the first round Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Rockhold has told anyone who will listen that he is down to fight heavyweights, legends, the champion or other top contenders. If he fights a top contender, however, he wants assurance that it will actually be with a title-shot on the line.
In boxing it isn't uncommon for star champions to put in place rematch clauses in their bout agreements so that if they should lose, they'd have the ability to get another crack at their opponent. It also is commonplace in big-time boxing for fights to be postponed or canceled when one of the headliners pulls out with injury close to the scheduled date.
Rockhold didn't hesitate to give Weidman an immediate rematch after he beat him and, when Bisping was offered as a replacement of the injured Weidman at UFC 199, Rockhold accepted the challenge, even though he had an injured knee and already owned a decisive win over "The Count."
So, it makes sense that the fighter doesn't want to get himself in a situation where he doesn't have guarantees on paper regarding title fights in top contender bouts. As reasonable as his demand is, it seems fairly uncommon in MMA and the UFC.
Furthermore, UFC fighters getting paid extra to fight a different opponent on short notice is far from a guarantee. In fact, the likes of Tony Ferguson have even complained that they were paid less to show up than they were originally contracted for when an opponent pulled out.
Rockhold doesn't necessarily agree with the premise that what he's asking for is without precedent in the sport, however. "I think you're wrong and I think you're right," he begins.
"Some fighters don't argue and negotiate on their own behalf, and then some put the company to the test and put these things to contracts. It's happened many a time when you get guarantees for title shots. Then there's guys who take those last-minute fights, jump in and get paid."
All of that is to say that the 32-year-old is waiting around, desperate to keep the UFC happy so that they may benevolently bestow upon him higher wages and better contracts. Rockhold looks to negotiate like he fights -- with a purpose and goals in mind.
"So, everything is negotiable," he concludes. "This is a different time with the company right now."
Apr 26, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Luke Rockhold (top) Tim Boetschat grapple during the first round at Baltimore Arena. Rockhold defeated Boetsch by submission in the first round Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Some months ago Rockhold said that he wouldn't hesitate to leave the UFC and fighting if he didn't get a fair deal from them, in his eyes. In a sport where so many big league athletes still hold down second jobs to make ends meet it is worth asking for clarification -- Is it really possible for Rockhold to not fight and keep a roof over his head and food on his plate?
"Of course it is, man," he quips.
Rockhold may not need to fight to earn a living, but it certainly seems like he needs fighting to truly live. "I'm doing well on the outside but the fact is that I love fighting and this is what it has all been about for me," he says, closing the conversation.
"So, I'm not going to waste my career, my skill set and what I was gifted, raised with for something that is different, you know? I don't get as much out of anything else, really.
"I love fighting, so I want to fight fights that get me excited and get me up. There other stuff is good and all but I do love what I do, and that is fight.