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Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold is eager to rejoin the promotion and take on Sean Strickland. Rockhold, who last fought in the UFC in August 2022, has been a free agent since his decision loss to Paulo Costa. Following his UFC exit, Rockhold competed in BKFC, where he suffered a stoppage loss to Mike Perry but later defeated Joe Schilling in Karate Combat.
Rockhold recently made headlines while watching UFC 302 alongside Rampage Jackson, TJ Dillashaw, and Bear Degidio on the Jaxxon podcast. During the broadcast, Rockhold made a passionate plea to UFC President Dana White to bring him back for a fight with Strickland.
“If you were Dana White would you ever want this guy fighting back for a title? I can’t stand watching this motherf****r fight. F*****g book me, sign me up Dana. I will f*****g end this kid’s life, I guarantee,” Rockhold exclaimed.
The call-out sparked a conversation, with Rampage Jackson asking TJ Dillashaw how he thought Rockhold would fare against Strickland. Dillashaw, a former UFC champion himself, expressed confidence in Rockhold’s chances.
“Luke would do good man, Luke’s powerful, he’s got a great southpaw stance, just hold your ground and I think you would be great,” Dillashaw said. “You got to throw combos and you got to feint.”
Rockhold, who has previously trained with Strickland, believes he has a significant advantage on the ground. He is confident he can dominate Strickland with his grappling skills and secure a stoppage victory.
Despite Rockhold’s enthusiasm, the potential matchup faces hurdles. Strickland is eyeing a title shot following his recent win, and it remains uncertain whether Dana White and the UFC are interested in bringing Rockhold back into the fold.
Luke Rockhold boasts an impressive MMA record of 16-6, with notable victories over top fighters such as Chris Weidman, Lyoto Machida, Jacare Souza, and Michael Bisping. As the former UFC middleweight champion, Rockhold’s return to the octagon could add significant intrigue to the middleweight division.
Whether or not Rockhold gets his desired fight with Strickland, his willingness to step back into the UFC spotlight demonstrates his enduring passion for the sport and his desire to compete at the highest level.
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