Luke Rockhold sees a potential clash with Alex Pereira as a rather favorable matchup.
The former UFC and Strikeforce middleweight champion retired from the sport immediately following his recent appearance at UFC 278 in August. Dropping a hard-fought unanimous decision to Paulo Costa in the evening’s co-main event, Rockhold went out on his shield and took home the first Fight of the Night bonus in his 11-fight run with the company.
One month before Rockhold’s final walk, Pereira established himself as the next in line atop the division, knocking out Sean Strickland in emphatic fashion at UFC 276. The Brazilian kickboxing sensation now has his date with current champion Israel Adesanya locked in for UFC 281 on Nov. 12 in Madison Square Garden.
If “Poatan” can pull off a third combat sports career victory over “The Last Stylebender,” it may be enough to pull Rockhold out of what would be a short-lived retirement.
” This Brazilian man won the title. Alex Pereira,” Rockhold told Submission Radio when asked what could inspire him to return. “He’s gonna have every wrestler in the f****** game just chomping at the bit to get that guy. Let’s go. Let’s go.
” The only rule is that you have to fight Robert Whitaker, or any s*** between. The only thing that matters is that ***, will hurt. Robert Whitaker is a fighter. That s***’s gonna hurt, we’re gonna fight.”
With three consecutive losses since Sept. 2017, Rockhold would undeniably have to work his way to a title shot upon a return. However, his thought process likely isn’t alone when it comes to how most at 185-pounds are looking at the talented striker. The 6-1 Pereira has yet to be truly tested by a great grappler in his MMA career and stylistically, someone like Rockhold would pose an intriguing threat in that area — assuming he could come in at peak form.
Now 37 years old, the former American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) staple admitted he was “too old for this s***” during his final post-fight interview in the cage after his Costa loss. Rockhold had his moments, but his gas tank drained faster than ever before in his professional career.
The three years away took their toll, to say the least.
” I’m sorry, but just getting into the fight week, my body was just so tired and mental broken after seven months,” Rockhold stated. It’s almost like my body is still ready. It’s difficult to imagine walking into that cage after being hurt along the track. But I refused to give up. It’s a commitment that you make. It’s a matter of whatever happens. You just gotta go. And it’s not like where I wanted to be going in the fight. Coming back from that long time off and not really doing a lot through COVID.
“I obviously feel like I could do a lot better. If I had my way, I would beat Paul Costa any day of week. The vision is complete. I feel like I’m getting better, but I just don’t wanna get hurt anymore. It sucks. Then you have to be careful for your long-term health. I’ve done a lot. Are there more things I can do? I don’t know yet. I’ll get back to the gym, continue moving and thinking. But if I get inspired … if someone inspires me to get back and you know … you never know.”
TOP STORIES
Results. DWCS Season 6, Week 10: Bo Nickal needs 52 seconds to finish opponent, leads 5-contract night
Skills. Mackenzie Dern lauds Charles Oliveira for being the greatest grappler in the sport. ‘He has a great jiu jitsu in MMA ‘
.
Pacing. Aaron Pico offers advice to Bo Nickal ahead of potential UFC career: ‘There’s no need to rush’
Nasty. Chris Barnett details cheek injury, weight issue at UFC 279
Whoops. Martin Batur gets year suspension, ONE Championship 160 win overturned to no-contest after positive PED test
Departure. Aspen Ladd is released from UFC roster after latest weight miss
Update. USADA responds after Conor McGregor’s 2022 drug test history raises questions
VIDEO STEW
The last Contender Series presser of the season.
Randy’s corner 2.
Revisiting Chandler against the Pitbulls.
Mike Perry things.
LISTEN UP
Fighter vs. Writer. MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin chats with Aaron Pico and Max Rohskopf.
Heck of a Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck discusses what should headline UFC 282 and UFC 283.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Fly.
“A man who has no imagination has no wings” – Muhammad Ali
: @MontirexUK pic.twitter.com/BnfHG9H6wb— Dominick Cruz (@DominickCruz) September 27, 2022
Strap season.
The #InvictaFC49 main event is OFFICIAL! Atomweight champion @Jessicadmma defends her title against @lionheartjill TOMORROW NIGHT! #InvictaFC49 | Wednesday, September 28 | LIVE from Sugar Creek Casino in Oklahoma at 8/7c on @axstv + @fightnet + @facebook + @youtube! pic.twitter.com/FjjgmSMD3q
— Invicta FC (@InvictaFights) September 27, 2022
Well, alright.
I’ll give you the background! She did this for her fight on TUF30 but the producers cut it and made her weigh in again after making weight just for the cameras. It was the funniest moment in season. espn owns it so they took it down.
— Zac Pauga (@ZacPauga) September 27, 2022
Crypto.
Last night during my professional boxing debut I was able to use the platform to promote #bitcoin and #btc usage with @FightMusicShow being shown on national TV @combate in Brazil one of the fastest countries for blockchain adoption in the world @BitcoinMagazine pic.twitter.com/I1YCabUUOh
— Cris Cyborg 1-0 boxer (@criscyborg) September 27, 2022
He can’t be stopped.
Adam Levine trippin . Come on now bro pic.twitter.com/HIuNO9Rpir
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) September 27, 2022
Prep.
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) September 27, 2022
Roster expansion.
43 contracts this season pic.twitter.com/MNeMvfTKV8
— Jed I. Goodman (c) (@jedigoodman) September 28, 2022
Yes.
November @BellatorMMA pic.twitter.com/3qsJztXE4h
— Tofiq Musayev (@Tofiq__Musayev) September 28, 2022
The hype is real.
Bo Nickal coming to “UCF 4” pic.twitter.com/cWmml38qVI
— Jed I. Goodman (c) (@jedigoodman) September 28, 2022
Darren?
Bo nickal is looking good, be good to meet up with him in the future in the octagon. Drive the left hand through his skull…
— D (@darrentill2) September 28, 2022
The great combat sports trade of 2022.
Serious question if you could trade your penis for Gordon Ryan jujitsu skills would you? Yes, I am. Ladies, pretty easy choice.
— Forrest Griffin (@ForrestGriffin) September 28, 2022
Check-in.
Vote Fancy.
Mom champ.
Action shots.
Jiri-gypt.
Allen bros 2.0?
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Vince Morales (11-6) vs. Jose Johnson (15-7); UFC Vegas 65, Nov. 19
Shane Burgos (15-3) vs. Marlon Moraes (23-10-1); PFL 2022 Championship, Nov. 26
Rafael dos Anjos (31-14) vs. Bryan Barberena (18-8); UFC Orlando, Dec. 3
FINAL THOUGHTS
Prime Rockhold is one of the more underrated fighters we’ve ever seen. Oh, how I wish we’d have gotten to see more of him than we did. 11 fights in the UFC feels like far too few.
Thanks for reading!
EXIT POLL
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @DrakeRiggs_ on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.
