Luke Rockhold sees Alex Pereira potentially winning middleweight championship as an opportunity for a return
The former middleweight champion isn’t ruling out a UFC return if a new champion is crowned this November.
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.
“That Brazilian dude winning 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 get the free belt.
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. While having his moments during the fight, Rockhold’s gas tank faded quicker than it ever had in his career prior.
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