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Former UFC middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold is contemplating retirement. The 35-year old fighter who was tipped to become the king of the middleweight division for years to come, has surprisingly decided to move on from the sport.
In a recent interaction with ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Rockhold said he doesn't intend to fight again.
“I have no interest in fighting right now.”
Although the news comes as a shocker to many, Rockhold's decision to call it a day is quite fathomable. In his 2017 bout for the interim middleweight title against Yoel Romero, Rockhold was violently knocked out. Following that defeat against Romero, he spent almost a year recuperating from a shin injury which required multiple surgeries and skin grafts, keeping him away from the Octagon.
When he finally made his return to the Octagon back in July, this time moving up to the light heavyweight division to face Jan Blachowicz, Rockhold got his lights knocked out once again, courtesy a vicious left hook which left him with a broken jaw.
"I never had as much of a cut my entire career before my last two fights."
Following the loss, UFC President Dana White said that he feels Rockhold should retire from the sport and Rockhold does not disagree. Although he has no plans to return to the Octagon in the near future, Rockhold says he’s not going to make a formal announcement just yet because he doesn’t like 'closing doors' .
On being asked if it was possible that he’d never fight again, Rockhold replied with absolute clarity.
“Very [possible].”
Rockhold boasts a professional MMA record of 16-5 and is the only man to have won both Strikeforce and UFC middleweight championship titles. Rockhold has been a great champion and a terrific fighter and everyone in the MMA community will certainly wish him all the best in his future endeavors.
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