
via Getty
NEWARK, NJ – APRIL 18: Luke Rockhold celebrates defeating Lyoto Machida of Brazil by tap out in their middleweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at Prudential Center on April 18, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

via Getty
NEWARK, NJ – APRIL 18: Luke Rockhold celebrates defeating Lyoto Machida of Brazil by tap out in their middleweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at Prudential Center on April 18, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold has ripped into UFC for not treating its fighters properly. The veteran trashed the promotion in an interview given to MMA Junkie. Besides UFC’s treatment, the fighter also talked about his upcoming fight against Sean Strickland.
The issue regarding UFC’s treatment of its fighters is not a new thing. But in recent times, the matter has picked up speed and many fighters are coming forward to criticize the organization.
Rockhold, in his interview, detailed what exactly is going wrong in the promotion. He also threatened to leave the promotion, as many other organizations have stepped up their game recently.
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“The paychecks are great elsewhere. The UFC is not always the best option anymore,” he told MMA Junkie. “I mean, there are a few guys at the top but you’re still entering a big battle with these guys…it’s not exactly (a) fair playing field.”
“You know, when guys like Ngannou are getting shelved for asking for his worth and they’re creating interim titles. which is all bulls**t. I mean, this is the type of sh*t you have to deal with,” he added.
Luke Rockhold wants UFC to pay what fighters truly deserve
Rockhold (16-5) is a veteran of the game. He never backs down from speaking his mind about things he doesn’t like. The American, who trains at AKA, further revealed that he isn’t scared of saying anything against the promotion.
“I’m gonna speak my mind, exactly how I say what I say, what I feel,” he said. “The common narrative that the UFC and Dana White has created is to shut down fighters, criticize champions.”
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via Getty
NEWARK, NJ – APRIL 18: Luke Rockhold celebrates defeating Lyoto Machida of Brazil by tap out in their middleweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at Prudential Center on April 18, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
He further added, “the narrative that they have created is for the fans to want to hate fighters and it’s just bulls**t… This is the f*****g fight game. We’re the fighters, we’re the entertainment, we deserve our worth.”
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Rockhold, as mentioned, is gearing up for a fight against Strickland. The veteran hasn’t fought in 2 years since his defeat to light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz in 2019. It will be interesting to see how he stacks up against the young American.
What did you make of Rockhold’s comments on UFC’s treatment? Let us know.
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