Team Khabib, and especially Javier Mendez, might have to swallow a bitter pill as Luke Rockhold appears to have been traded from Team Dubai to Team Los Angeles for Grant Neal, even before any GFL fights have taken place. Team Dubai’s head coach, Javier Mendez, may have wanted Rockhold under his tutelage. Why? He’s also the head coach of AKA, the gym where Luke Rockhold trains alongside the likes of Khabib Nurmagomedov. But the GFL commissioner seems to have other plans for the former Strikeforce and UFC middleweight champion.

Before ending his MMA career for good, Luke Rockhold wanted to compete in his favorite sport one last time. Initially, rumors suggested he would face his former foe, Chris Weidman, after being drafted by Team Dubai. Now, it appears to be certain, as Ariel Helwani confirmed on Monday that a trade between Team Dubai and Team Los Angeles has been finalized.

“OK, so this is the breaking news: According to Darren Owen, the acting commissioner and founder of the GFL, they are trading you to Team LA. So that was it for you at Team Dubai—you are done. Is it to make the Chris Weidman trade? Is it to make the Chris Weidman fight happen?” said Helwani as he questioned the former middleweight champion on his show.

Responding to Helwani’s question, Luke Rockhold emphasized that fighting against Weidman is the most sensible thing for him right now considering the fact that they have a rivalry that is yet to be settled. He said, “I want that fight, man. Weidman and me makes the most sense, I think, and it’s fun. I think there’s rumors of a fight coming here to LA, and I’m healthy, man. I’m healthy, and I’m training, and I’m back to it. So, Weidman, I’d love to close that door. As Drus would say, you know, you gotta—I think I already closed it, but I’m gonna secure that one.”

Chirs Weidman and Luke Rockhold traded blows back at UFC 194: Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor. In a close-call fight, Rockhold caught Weidman in the fourth round as he connected his punch to Weidman’s head knocking him out. Nine years have passed since that incident, and both fighters are facing each other once again. Well, what is Rockhold’s game plan? Let’s find out.

Luke Rockhold believes that he would knock out Chris Weidman once again

After being released from the UFC back in December last year, Chris Weidman joined Team New York of the GFL and one of the main reasons why he joined the promotion was because he wanted to take revenge for his loss against Luke Rockhold. However, the Santa Cruz native has already laid out a plan to defeat Weidman again.

In his conversation with Ariel Helwani, Rockhold emphasized that he believes that the fight will end just like their first fight. “Let’s see how it goes, I like my chances this time around. I think Weidman is a little slower than I’ve come off [in recent fights]. I think I can keep up. Guys like Eryk Anders and who you’re losing to [in the UFC], I’m not losing those fights these days. That’s what I’m seeing.”

Their fight is yet to be announced by the promotion. What really hypes this fight is the fact that their clash could for sure end someone’s career forever. What are your thoughts on the exchange? Let us know in the comments below.