Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold has not stepped inside the octagon since his title ending loss to Michael “The Count” Bisping at UFC 199 last year. Now, the former champion is considering leaving the division behind.
In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Luke Rockhold explained that he believes the UFC middleweight division should go on strike. The former champion is not pleased that the UFC is not offering an interim title fight or forcing “The Count” to face a ranked opponent.
Instead of facing a ranked opponent, Michael Bisping is set to defend his title from Georges St-Pierre, who has never competed in the middleweight division. Now, Luke Rockhold is showing his distaste for the whole situation.
As transcribed by Bloody Elbow, Luke Rockhold said “If they’re not putting an interim title on the line, or if they’re not making Bisping fight a contender, I’m not fighting anybody. And so should the rest of the division, too. What’s the point?
“Without me, Mousasi, Yoel, and Whittaker? I think everyone should just stand their ground, and say (expletive) you. Put a title on the line or else, (expletive), you don’t even have a division. I think everyone is already on strike, aren’t they?
“We’re all waiting on a title. Whittaker’s down. I’ve voiced my opinion, and I think Mousasi should stand his ground, too. I mean, without us you have no (expletive) division. Make something happen.
“The ball’s definitely in their court, and I think they know that. I think everyone’s not very happy in the situation we’re in right now. I’m sure Yoel’s payment isn’t going to hold him off too long. We’ll see. I think everyone needs to step up and make something happen. The middleweights need to step up and hold their ground.
“They’re forcing us into a corner. We got to stick up and stay together and make something happen. I’m tired of this (expletive), man.”
