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Chael Sonnen names Nick Diaz as potential Luke Rockhold opponent on return

Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen believes that there are still matchups out there for fighters who don’t fit the typical UFC career path anymore. It is the natural order of MMA that we almost always see those once atop the sport, fall short against father time. Once seemingly unstoppable forces such as a prime […]

Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen believes that there are still matchups out there for fighters who don’t fit the typical UFC career path anymore.

It is the natural order of MMA that we almost always see those once atop the sport, fall short against father time. Once seemingly unstoppable forces such as a prime Luke Rockhold lose their step, chins give way and the accumulative punishment of a lifetime of combat catches up to them.

Still, Chael Sonnen believes that there is still a spot at the table for those on the tail end of their careers. While UFC fights are typically reserved for the best of the best and those young and hungry looking to join them, Sonnen believes there are matchups for Rockhold should he choose to return.

“He’s [Luke Rockhold] got his fight gear on,” Chael Sonnen said on his YouTube. “He’s got his gloves on and he says it could be an interesting 2023.”

“The UFC is extremely difficult to compete in if you are not a champion or a contender. If you prove through opportunities, hard matchups, competitions that you’re not one of the two, it’s just a hard place to be at. I don’t think that’s true for Luke, I think they give him a match, I think he’s special, I think he’s different. I think that last performance alone, just out of respect gets him another match, but who would it be against?”

Sonnen would continue, naming fan favorite and former Strikeforce champion Nick Diaz as a viable option.

I think Nick Diaz is in a similar situation,” said Sonnen. “The fans love him, the fans want him, his inactivity always puts that question mark there.”

“It’s an interesting match, you’ve got two guys from California, I don’t know how they haven’t crossed paths yet. Nick seems to make it clear that he’s going to 185.”

Is Chael Sonnen right? Should Luke Rockhold and Nick Diaz fight?

Luke Rockhold hints at a return to competition this upcoming year: “2023 Could Get Interesting.”

Despite retiring from the sport only last year, Luke Rockhold has already suggested that he could return to competition in 2023. After laying down his gloves in the center of the cage following a heartfelt performance against Paulo Costa at UFC 278, many of the community believed that was the last we had seen of […]

Despite retiring from the sport only last year, Luke Rockhold has already suggested that he could return to competition in 2023.

After laying down his gloves in the center of the cage following a heartfelt performance against Paulo Costa at UFC 278, many of the community believed that was the last we had seen of Luke Rockhold inside an octagon.

Now it seems this may not be the case. Teasing on his social media about a potential return Rockhold posted saying ‘Putting the old rig to the test. 2023 could get interesting.’

Now whether that return is inside an octagon or not remains to be seen. Given his tenure with the UFC you can expect that he would be welcomed back to competition there should he choose to do so.

However, the former UFC middleweight champion did speculate an entry into boxing following his initial retirement from the UFC.

This was fuelled by several posts to his social media around the time fellow UFC veteran and former champion, Anderson Silva competed against Jake Paul.

I’ll be back

— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) November 13, 2022

I beat Silva in boxing. Bet the house

— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) October 30, 2022

Luke Rockhold Suggest A Return To Competition In 2023

Rockhold’s time with the UFC concluded after the former champion suffered a three-fight losing spell. After dropping his middleweight title to Michael Bisping in 2016, Rockhold bounced back by finishing David Branch.

However, things would begin to go downhill for the former champion quickly. The American Kickboxing Academy fighter’s first defeat came at the hands of Cuban powerhouse Yoel Romero who dispatched him at UFC 221.

He would then be tasked with taking on Jan Blachowicz who was beginning his ascent up the light heavyweight division. Rockhold would suffer the same fate as previously being stopped in the second round. The former champion would then take a three-year hiatus from the sport and return in August 2022 to take on Brazilian powerhouse, Paulo Costa.

A matchup that many of the community had written him off in before the bell had even sounded. Rockhold delivered a truly heartful performance which won over many in the fanbase on his final outing, despite him losing via unanimous decision.

Would you like to see Luke Rockhold return to competition in the UFC?

Michael Chiesa Makes Big Comment About Luke Rockhold’s Future

UFC fighter/analyst Michael Chiesa is making a bold prediction about a retired fighter returning next year. It seems that many beloved UFC fighters have decided to walk away from the sport recently. Several longtime fighters and former champions set th…

Continue Reading Michael Chiesa Makes Big Comment About Luke Rockhold’s Future at MMA News.

Sean Strickland Attempts To “Banish” Luke Rockhold

UFC middleweight contender Sean Strickland is certainly not the biggest fan of the division’s former champion, Luke Rockhold. Rockhold held the 185-pound gold after defeating Chris Weidman back in 2015. But after being quickly dethroned by Michael Bisping, he subsequently went 1-2, with consecutive knockout losses to Yoel Romero and Jan Blachowicz. While he’d hoped…

Continue Reading Sean Strickland Attempts To “Banish” Luke Rockhold at MMA News.

Rockhold Explains What Will Determine Adesanya/Pereira

Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold has given his assessment of the UFC 281 headliner between reigning titleholder Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira. On November 12, former kickboxing rivals Adesanya and Pereira will collide in mixed martial arts for the first time. Having dominated the 185-pound division since his arrival, defending the title five times…

Continue Reading Rockhold Explains What Will Determine Adesanya/Pereira at MMA News.

Ex-UFC champion Luke Rockhold reveals interest in potential boxing move: ‘I’d love to test myself’

Following on from his retirement from MMA at UFC 278, former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold has welcomed the chance to compete in boxing should the right opportunity becomes available. Rockhold was arguably thrown to the wolves when faced up against Brazilian powerhouse, Paulo Costa, at UFC 278. Two men who were at very different […]

Following on from his retirement from MMA at UFC 278, former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold has welcomed the chance to compete in boxing should the right opportunity becomes available.

Rockhold was arguably thrown to the wolves when faced up against Brazilian powerhouse, Paulo Costa, at UFC 278. Two men who were at very different stages in their respective careers it seemed as though this matchup was scripted with only one outcome. Eleven of Costa’s thirteen victories at the time had come by way of knockout leading into this matchup. Luke Rockhold had suffered back-to-back defeats in such a manner and therefore lead to a majority of those invested in the matchup expecting him to suffer the same fate once again.

However, this was not to be. Costa would ultimately win the matchup via unanimous decision but not without having to overcome some adversity. Rockhold displayed signs of his former self, landing devastating punches and more of his infamous kicks as he took the Brazilian the full fifteen minutes.

Despite suffering defeat on what would be his final appearance competing in mixed martial arts his determination and heart displayed during the bout earned him the respect he deserved from those fortunate enough to watch.

Luke Rockhold reveals his desire to test himself in Boxing

Now having taken the time to recover and rest following on from this gruelling battle, Luke Rockhold has shared his interest in stepping into the Boxing ring should the right opportunity arise.

Speaking to MMA Junkie, Rockhold touched upon his desire to try new things and suggested Boxing could provide him with the perfect chance to do so.

“I love physical stress, no doubt,” Rockhold stated.

“I will definitely look to chase adversity and discomfort. I’m not opposed to boxing; my legs need a f*cking break. So, if there’s some interesting people with the right people in the right promotion, I’d love to test myself. New ventures are always great.” (Transcribed by BJPenn.com)

Luke Rockhold would not be the first mixed martial artist to make the switch with the likes of Tyron Woodley, Ben Askren, and Anderson Silva having all previously competed in Boxing.

How do you think Luke Rockhold would do should he make the switch over to Boxing?