(We’re sorry for your loss, Lorenz, but believe us when we say that we know how it feels to be passed over.)
A few hours ago, we made the foolish suggestion that once all of Strikeforce’s chosen ones made their way over to the UFC, Luke Rockhold, should finally give Lorenz Larkin the title shot he had so rightfully earned by collecting four victories in their former promotion over mostly unknowns and nearly getting beaten to death by a roided up King Mo. Rockhold has been ducking him nursing various injuries for months now, and we figured it would be in the champ’s best interest to put all the doubt to rest in regard to Larkin once and for all.
Which is why it makes perfect sense that Rockhold has now called out Costa Philippou and completely invalidated our work in the process. Rockhold recently spoke with MMAFighting – but only because we were totally busy doing some research at the time — and not only did he pick a potential opponent for his UFC debut, but he picked a venue as well:
I think Costa Philippou makes the most sense right now. He’s coming off a win, and I think he’s a good opponent. Let’s get it on at [UFC on FOX 7].
As you can see, Rockhold is going to need to step up his shit-talking game if he ever wants a shot at becoming the real middleweight champion. Acknowledging a potential opponents victories? Calling him “a good opponent?” Jesus, Luke, if you don’t start making name-related insults (Can’t-stand-ya Tulip-poo?) or start mocking “the dirt poor Pygmy people of Cyprus” pretty soon, it’s going to be all FX and FUEL undercards for you from here on out.
Rockhold also threw in his two cents regarding the upcoming UFC on FX 7 showdown between Michael Bisping and Vitor Belfort. And once again, he was incredibly professional in both his view of the fight’s implications and what he would like to accomplish moving forward. It’s like, do you even want to be a fucking fighter, bro?
I want Bisping to stay on the up and up so I can knock him out, but I want Belfort to win because that would open a path to Anderson [Silva].
I want the fight that gets me to Anderson as fast as I can. I believe I can fight him like no one else can. I want that opportunity because I believe I’m the No. 1 contender. I want to fight Silva before Weidman does because I think he might beat him.
OK, we’ll give Luke props for stirring the pot a little bit at the end there, but we don’t think he has to worry about Weidman getting to Anderson Silva first. If anything, Rockhold should be calling out Sensei Seagal for a “winner gets Anderson’s full attention” battle of wills. There could be three categories: a guitar solo shred-off, a surf competition, and to balance things out, a deathmatch held at the premier of Seagul’s next film, as to make sure that there are no witnesses present. BANG POW SHAZAAM! CAN I GET AN AMEN?!