Luke Rockhold In No Hurry To Return, Says Division Is 'F*cked'
Luke Rockhold In No Hurry To Return, Says Division Is 'F*cked'
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold is unhappy with the current state of his division.
The UFC needs it's biggest names competing and one former champion isn't motivated to return in the slightest.
Former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold has been trying to pick a solid fight for the past year, but those efforts have fizzled in recent months. According the American Kickboxing Academy representative there are no matchups that appeal to him and any of the opponents that make sense are either currently unavailable. Rockhold was a guest of The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani where he spoke his mind about the situation in the 185-pound fold.
“I’m not coming back after all this time and fighting some chump on a worthless card," Rockhold said. "I’m coming back in style and making some noise.”
Rockhold certainly isn't alone in his frustration with the middleweight division.
Current champion Michael Bisping has been on the sidelines since defending the title against Dan Henderson last October, and has been rumored to be in a fight with Georges St-Pierre sometime in 2017. No. 1 contender Yoel Romero is matched up with Robert Whittaker to compete for the division's interim strap, which was created when it was announced Bisping would be out of action for most of 2017.
This only leaves a few possible candidates for a fight with Rockhold, with Gegard Mousasi being the most likely option. That said, the Dutchman has been locked in contract negotiations with the promotion and there has been no word of any progress made in that regard.
Rockhold is very aware of the situation at hand and voiced his opinion to Helwani in the interview.
“The division is fucked,” Rockhold said. “No interesting fights.”
Former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold has been trying to pick a solid fight for the past year, but those efforts have fizzled in recent months. According the American Kickboxing Academy representative there are no matchups that appeal to him and any of the opponents that make sense are either currently unavailable. Rockhold was a guest of The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani where he spoke his mind about the situation in the 185-pound fold.
“I’m not coming back after all this time and fighting some chump on a worthless card," Rockhold said. "I’m coming back in style and making some noise.”
Rockhold certainly isn't alone in his frustration with the middleweight division.
Current champion Michael Bisping has been on the sidelines since defending the title against Dan Henderson last October, and has been rumored to be in a fight with Georges St-Pierre sometime in 2017. No. 1 contender Yoel Romero is matched up with Robert Whittaker to compete for the division's interim strap, which was created when it was announced Bisping would be out of action for most of 2017.
This only leaves a few possible candidates for a fight with Rockhold, with Gegard Mousasi being the most likely option. That said, the Dutchman has been locked in contract negotiations with the promotion and there has been no word of any progress made in that regard.
Rockhold is very aware of the situation at hand and voiced his opinion to Helwani in the interview.
“The division is fucked,” Rockhold said. “No interesting fights.”