Former Middleweight Champion Sends A Message To ‘Princess’ Jon Jones
From the past few years, Luke Rockhold has been considering moving up to the light heavyweight and recently former middleweight champion confirmed it that he’s ready to move up in the division and challenges newly crowned Jon Jones.
“I’m moving up to get after him,” Rockhold recently told TMZ Sports. “That’s what I’m here for.”
But there could be a problem here as Anthony Smith and Jon Jones are rumored to fight each other. Rockhold the former UFC and Strikeforce middleweight champ is also a big name on UFC roster and could fight ‘Bones,’ but it all comes down to which fight contender can bring more revenue on the table for promotion.
American Kickboxing Academy product didn’t fight inside the Octagon since a knockout loss to Yoel Romero back in February was slated to fight ex-champ Chris Weidman at UFC 230 in November from Madison Square Garden, New York City, but had to pull out due to injury.
Rockhold said moving up to 205-pound will give a boost to his career as his cut down to middleweight becomes more grueling. After all, former champ is a hulking 185-pound fighter who has the all-around package of frame, strength, and athleticism to test his skills at light heavyweight.
“The last couple years, I’ve been compromising myself so much to get down to ’85, and my body just falls apart in training camp the last few weeks,” Rockhold said. “(Being at 205) just feels right. I feel healthy. I feel comfortable, and I’m excited to take down these light heavyweights. I just don’t see a lot there.”
Luke Rockhold said he’s not rushing to get into a title shot in his debut but can prove his worth by locking horns with any top-level opponent.
“I’ll come prove myself,” Rockhold said.
After watching Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 232, Rockhold said he likes to take his chance against ‘Bones’ as latter believes he has the skillset to dethrone Jones.
“I thought he looked beatable,” Rockhold said. “He’s good on the feet. He’s tactical. He adjusts, and he fights to his advantages. I like my advantages vs. his.”
“Hold tight – I’m coming, Princess.”
Who wants to see Jones vs. Rockhold?
