On Dec. 12, 2015, Luke Rockhold made a dream a reality by capturing the UFC middleweight title in a highly anticipated meeting with then-champion Chris Weidman. The American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) product had already been a titleholder in Strikeforce, but how much UFC gold meant to him was evident as the emotions ran wild as soon as Herb Dean called off the action in round four.
Rockhold was joined by Daniel Cormier (a former Strikeforce champion) throughout the journey. He went on to achieve great success in his own UFC career. Both men enjoyed Rockhold’s side that night and were able celebrate the end of the show with Conor McGregor and Jose Aldo.
From a competitive standpoint, Rockhold has unfortunately taken a bit of a tumble since as he lost the belt in his first title defense to Michael Bisping and is 1-3 in his last four — all three losses coming by knockout.
Rockhold last fought at UFC 239 in July 2019 when making his light heavyweight debut against future champion Jan Blachowicz. At UFC 268 in Nov. 2021, the 37-year-old was to make his return back at his primary home of middleweight opposite the surging Sean Strickland. The injury bug hit again, and he had to pull out.
Rockhold still plans to fight former title challenger Paulo Costa in June. This leaves Cormier wondering why.
“I don’t quite understand why he wants that fight so bad,” Cormier said on the DC & RC podcast. “I don’t know what Luke has seen in Paulo Costa over the course of his last few fights that makes him want that fight so much. It is a possible winnable bout. Absolutely. Is there any danger? Absolutely. Because we’ve seen Paulo Costa at his best and even when he saw him lose his last fight at 205 [pounds], he still looked pretty good, he was in the fight. Luke didn’t see anything that made me feel like Luke. The guy is my support, and will continue to support him .”
Costa started his career off red-hot with 13 straight wins before finally falling to Israel Adesanya in their heated title tilt at UFC 253 in Sept. 2020. The Brazilian brawler has only fought once since his second-round TKO loss to “The Last Stylebender” and that came in Oct. 2021 when he went through a dramatic weight missing saga the week of his bout with Marvin Vettori. Costa ultimately lost a unanimous decision despite Vettori playing by his rules and moving up for an impromptu light heavyweight clash.
While “DC” might be confused by his friend’s interest, Rockhold explained his reasoning to Submission Radio.
“I don’t like this guy, which I believe disrespects the sport. It motivates me to fix it,” Rockhold stated. “It’s a guy that’s obviously top-ranked somehow, someway, when he can’t even make weight. So, typically if anything he should be ranked in the 205-pound division, right? The guy is just not my favorite. You can bet I won’t say that I care about the man. And I think it’s a fun fight. He can come to me …
.
“I don’t hate it, I don’t hate it. It’s all about getting tickets. It’s about selling tickets. But if you are able to make a strong statement by putting a key on top-five boxing events, that speaks volumes. It’s a great thing. Making a statement in public can get me into a nice spot .”
TOP STORIES
Badass. Austin Vanderford wants to prove that Paige VanZant’s husband is a pretty cool guy at Bellator 275.
Play. BKFC President Dave Feldman admits interest in bringing over UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.
Attack. MMA fighters attempt to flee Russia hours after the attack on Ukraine.
Confidence. Leon Edwards’ manager believes the Kamaru Usman title fight rematch will be next.
$$$. Roberto Soldic, double champion in KSW is not planning on quitting his promotion to take advantage of their free agency offer.
VIDEO STEW
Between the Links.
The Bisping Doc Trailer.
Jorge Masvidal goes personal.
UFC Destined.
Fastest finishes by division in UFC history.
LISTEN UP
We Got Next. Terrance McKinney and Gegard Mousasi chat with Mike Heck, MMA Fighting.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
“Bones” reacts.
lol I was hoping that video got lost in some files somewhere
— BONY (@JonnyBones) February 24, 2022
Oh thank goodness https://t.co/am1BvaaoYo
— BONY (@JonnyBones) February 24, 2022
I can deal with embarrassment, it’s the loneliness that gets me. Taking things one day at a time https://t.co/tO1g4LCC6p
— BONY (@JonnyBones) February 24, 2022
No way my guy, the story is far from over. I’m wise enough to know that we all go through seasons in life. There have been many good and bad seasons in my life. I’m excited for the next one, about to be heavyweight champion of the world, capable of so many things, loved https://t.co/JKHzT69UJA
— BONY (@JonnyBones) February 24, 2022
Cryptic Diaz
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) February 24, 2022
Fitz to Bisping.
Luke Rockhold training.
The Bobby Green collection.
The gogoplata.
Feb24. 2007
15 years ago today,
Nick Diaz competed in his first & only fight with PRIDE FC & submitted Takanori Gomi with a gogoplata. pic.twitter.com/gTdr8lpvzZ
— MMA History Today (@MMAHistoryToday) February 24, 2022
Zombie Leben.
Zombie Mode. Leben Vs ICU part ll pic.twitter.com/eK2HPrfzol
— Chris Leben (@ChrisLebenMMA) February 25, 2022
Cejudo’s top 5.
THE KING’S TOP 5 UFC FIGHTERS OF ALL TIME
1. Triple C
2. The King of Cringe…OK, OK, the real list …
1. @JonnyBones
2. @MightyMouse
3. @SpiderAnderson
4. Henry Cejudo
5. Georges St-PierreTell me who you got! I might even reply
: https://t.co/01yVTWWfwM pic.twitter.com/q9cvVkVLRJ
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) February 24, 2022
David Onama gives an update.
Quick update. #UFCVegas48 pic.twitter.com/RAKtxI2H4G
— David A. Onama (@DavidOnama145) February 24, 2022
Not so sweet dreams.
This was an attempt to get the pussies behind the screen (that still clown you) on your side!!! 548February [******************************************************************************************************************************************** ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************ ************************************************************************************************************************************************* #Iseerightthru https://t.co/N0NwVyNpFL
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) February 24, 2022
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ludovit Klein (17-4) vs. Devonte Smith (11-3); UFC 272, Mar. 5
Andre Fialho (14-4) vs. Miguel Baeza (10-2); UFC Vegas 51, Apr. 16
Charles Jourdain (12-4-1) vs. Lando Vannata (12-5-2); UFC Vegas 52, Apr. 23
Journey Newson (9-3) vs. Fernie Garcia (10-1); UFC 274, May 7
Brandon Royval (13-6) vs. Matt Schnell (15-6); UFC 274, May 7
Joseph Holmes (7-2) vs. Alen Amedovski (8-2); UFC Fight Night, May 21
Ode Osbourne (10-4) vs. Zarrukh Adashev (4-3); UFC Fight Night, June 4
Jeff Molina (10-2) vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov (14-6); UFC Fight Night, June 4
FINAL THOUGHTS
GSP is the G.O.A.T. Thank you for reading!
EXIT POLL
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