The thespian dramatics are in full swing once more as Strikeforce 185-pound champion Luke Rockhold continues where the other would-be contenders to Anderson Silva’s crown left off—which is, they feel they can defeat “The Spider.”
Chris Weidman, Michael Bisping, Tim Boetsch and Alan Belcher—the would-be heirs, have all spouted off at the mouth at possessing the requisite arsenal to upend the Brazilian.
“It feels real good hearing that from Anderson Silva’s camp. I wish we could make that happen. Of course that’s what I want. I want to be the best and to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best. Anderson Silva’s the best fighter in the world. It feels good: him taking notice and seeing me out there,” Rockhold said in an interview with MMAWeekly Radio (via MMAWeekly.com).
“I feel like that’s a fight I could win.”
Along with Georges St-Pierre and Nick Diaz, Rockhold was also touted as a potential candidate to throw hands with the perennial champ, and as the above quote suggests, the San Jose-based fighter is ecstatic.
However, the chances of Rockhold sharing the same Octagon as Silva won’t happen anytime soon, as Strikeforce combatants are contractually obligated to Showtime for the next 18 months or so.
Furthermore, during that period, said fighters can jump ship to other organizations, but apropos the UFC, it’s totally out of bounds.
That said, according to Rockhold (10-1 MMA, 9-0 SF), if the UFC elected to allow another company traverse (feasible fights only) akin to the Frank Mir vs. Daniel Cormier situation, then his ideal opponent would be Tim Boetsch, who defeated the much hyped ex-Bellator champ Hector Lombard.
“UFC wise, who’s out there that they would let go that would actually allow a crossover? ‘Cause you know certain guys you know they wouldn’t, but there’s certain guys that they might,” said Rockhold.
“Tim Boetsch looked pretty good last weekend. He just beat the Bellator champion, let’s see if he can come beat the Strikeforce champion.”
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