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Despite Asking for UFC Release After Bunch of Losses, Luke Rockhold Says “I Could Beat [Alex] Pereira Easy” Ahead of Mike Perry BKFC Clash

Published 03/14/2023, 3:25 PM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

Luke Rockhold had a very long MMA career. He was in the sport for almost 15 years and was the UFC middleweight fighter once. His career started in 2007 with Melee in the Mountain and went out to fight in Strikeforce and the UFC. Rockhold comes from a family of sportsmen. His father was a baseball player and his mother was a tennis player.

The 38-year-old refuses to retire, and now he will now be seen in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. BKFC has become the avenue of choice for many retired MMA fighters.

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Recently, talking to MMA Junkie, the American said he could take on the current UFC middleweight champion with some preparation.

Luke Rockhold says he can take on the middleweight champion Alex Pereira

Talking to MMA Junkie, the 16-6-0 record holder, said he was ready for Mike Perry going in for the March fight. He was also very honest about his injuries and the surgeries. He said, I had two surgeries on my leg and I’ve had bad surgeries ill-informed surgeries and my leg needs a break and that was my whole decision-making and going to a new challenge in boxing”

He further added, “I’ve been champ don’t Strikeforce in the UFC and sometimes you need to mix it up do something new and especially with being handicapped with my leg, my biggest weapon.”

via Imago

Explaining further how he felt he could fare after the surgeries, Rockhold made a very bold claim that involved the present middleweight champion, Alex Pereira. He said, I need to change it up for a little bit but do I still think I can compete at the top with a healthy body and a good training camp? Yeah, I think I could beat Pereira easy, I’m sure.”

Luke Rockhold has been away from fighting

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Luke Rockhold also said why he has been away from fighting for the past three years. He mentioned how he had to get surgeries on his leg and that the surgeries were “ill-informed”. Rockhold mentioned that he wanted a break and wanted to take care of his body. He, however, sent a message of caution for Mike Perry, saying he “doesn’t understand the danger coming at BKFC 41.” 

via Getty

Alex Pereira will have no problems with what Rockhold has to say and will focus on his coming fight against Israel Adesanya. He would like to keep his belt and the unbeaten record against Adesanya.

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Written by:

Akshay Pallav

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Akshay Pallav is a UFC writer at EssentiallySports. Having completed his undergraduation from National Institute of Fashion Technology in Apparel Production, he has been a sports enthusiast all his life and has several medals at the University level across multiple sports including basketball, badminton, track and field. He aspires to interview Conor McGregor and Cristiano Ronaldo someday.
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Edited by:

Vineet Nandwana