Luke Rockhold Granted Release from UFC; Eyes PFL, Bellator, Boxing, More

Doric SamJan 23, 2023

Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold is set to take his talents elsewhere.

Rockhold announced on Monday's episode of The MMA Hour that he asked the UFC for his release and it was granted, making him a free agent. He later named Bellator MMA, PFL, ONE Championship and boxing as possible options for his future.

TOP NEWS

Rockhold's last appearance came this past August at UFC 278 in a unanimous-decision loss to Paulo Costa, which was his first fight after a three-year layoff caused by multiple surgeries. The 38-year-old looked to be on the verge of being finished multiple times during the fight, but managed to make it through all three rounds and earned Fight of the Night honors.

After the fight, Rockhold announced his retirement in the octagon, telling Joe Rogan, "I f--king can't do this s--t anymore. I gave it my all. I'm f--king old." It was his fourth loss in five fights since winning the middleweight championship in Dec. 2015.

It now sounds like the striking savant is rejuvenated to test his skills in a new environment. Rockhold said he moved back to California from Florida and he's resumed training following a recent ankle surgery.

"I need a new setting," Rockhold said. "I need a new challenge. ... You get burned out in the game when you've done so much, and you need new obstacles."

Earlier on Monday, Rockhold told TMZ Sports that he'd welcome a fight against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, who signed a multi-fight deal with PFL on Jan. 5.

"Stop trying to fight little dudes. F--king [155]-pounders," he said. "You're a middleweight. If you want to fight a middleweight, I got hands. We can do anything we want. I really don't care. I'd beat that guy in my sleep."

Rockhold said on The MMA Hour that he wouldn't rule out a return to the UFC, but for now he's seeking challenges that excite him.

"That door is always open, but I want to go and f--k some people up," Rockhold said, later adding. "If you want bulls--t, we can go box, beat up these YouTubers, too."