Former UFC 185 pound champion Luke Rockhold, was all set to make his highly anticipated Octagon return after losing his title to Michael Bisping, with a fierce clash against Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza at UFC Fight Night 101, but that fight fell through as the American suffered an unfortunate ACL injury in preparation for the contest.
Recently, Rockhold joined Submission Radio (courtesy of LowKickMMA) to discuss his injury, and detailed his plans for a return early next year, to give ‘Jacare’ the rematch he so desperately desires:
“Given the time table of what’s going on with my potential recovery and Bisping and Yoel Romero probably not fighting until February/March, I think that’s a good time frame. If I can get in that frame around March, that would be perfect for me. If I have a guaranteed title shot to fight Mousasi then I’d love to but I’m not looking to fight the next guy – fight Mousai and then have Jacare try to jump me for that shot… I have a lot of respect for Mousasi but I want to get right back at it. I want my title shot…Jacare’s the most clear cut way back to the title.”
“I’m not looking to fight another guy and have there be a question mark about who gets the next shot. I’m gonna go straight down the throat. I’m gonna get Jacare, finish my business with Jacare, and make no ifs, ands, or buts who’s the next in line to get that shot, whether it’s Bisping or Yoel,” he added.
The UFC’s Middleweight division has been shaping up rather interestingly, as the formerly undefeated Middleweight champion Chris Weidman was defeated for the second time in his career against Yoel Romero at UFC 205.
Just a week later, the surging Gegard Mousasi made quite the statement by avenging his loss to Uriah Hall, by battering ‘Primetime’ in their main event meeting this past Saturday with a first round TKO.
Now with UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping patiently awaiting the route that the UFC decides to go, there are plenty of title fights to make, after the plethora of 185-pound bouts that have just concluded. If Rockhold wants to get back into the running for a shot at UFC gold, he needs to put on quite the impressive performance against ‘Jacare’ when he makes his return.
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