Luke Rockhold Happy Not Dealing With The ‘Political Bulls***’ In The UFC

When former UFC and Strikeforce Middleweight champion Luke Rockhold lost to Jan Blachowicz earlier this year at UFC 239, it was the first time the Santa Cruz native had lost back to back fights in his illustrious career. The loss fuelled speculation that Luke would soon announce his retirement from the sport.

In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Rockhold opened up on his fighting future.

“My head is content where I’m at right now. I’ve done a lot of things in the sport. I’m not trying to be a headline maker. I’m not trying to say I’m going to retire and then want to come back. I don’t like to close doors on things in life. Right now, I’m just happy not fighting. It feels good to focus on other things,” admitted Rockhold.

Rockhold revealed that he hasn’t the same tenacity as before when he was a younger version of himself, thus wants to explore the other aspects of life.

“Fighting takes a lot. I’ve done it, I’ve been to the top of the game. I just don’t have the same passion, the hunger for it at this point, I’m excited to go in other realms of life. I know I have a lot of fans out there. I’m sorry I’m not fighting but you never know. Maybe someday I will but I don’t foresee it at this point.”

Although he has an upcoming grappling match with Nick Rodriguez in the Polaris 12 main event on November 30th, and is eyeing another one after that, Luke still doesn’t see himself back inside the cage competing in an MMA bout any time soon.

“A couple grappling matches to keep myself entertained in the process, I think the people who tune in will have some fun watching. I’m going to bring it to this kid, and if I do another one, I’m sure it’s going to be fun and entertaining.”

Rockhold also confessed that he’s financially secure, to the point that he doesn’t need to fight.

“I’m well off. I can choose what I want to do. I’ve got a couple companies I’m working with, and I’ve got checks flowing from so many different ways. I’m not like the rest of these guys where I have to pursue and beat the thing into the ground with fighting or jiu-jitsu or anything. There’s other areas of life and I can put some energy and focus on those things.

“Obviously you can’t fight forever. I can make more money outside the cage so if I can do that, why not? Not have to deal with the political bulls*** that comes with fighting and the UFC, all that stuff we know about. I like it. It makes me happy.”

The tenacity may not be there to compete at the very highest level in the UFC right now but the 35 year old still wants to challenge himself in some way.

“I’m not trying to make it a job. I’m just having fun with it. I’m not going out there and pursuing all these grappling things but to go pick off a couple guys and prove that I’m still at the top of my game. Why not?”

Rockhold additionally revealed that he is eager to try different things outside of combat sports and clearly believes he can achieve way more.

“I’m an extremist. I’m going to find anything that challenges me in life. I’m going to f***ing try to tackle it. I’m going to try to conquer it. There’s a lot left for me to conquer. I think it will always be that way. I’m not trying to beat fighting into the ground. I can do a lot of other things. Fighting consumes you. It consumes your body, your mind and it consumes your life and not able to enjoy other things in your life. Not chasing it and being consumed by it, it’s freeing. I’m excited to do what I’m doing and keep pursuing more.”

Having won the middleweight title in both the UFC and Strikeforce, Rockhold takes great pride in the accomplishments he achieved in his professional MMA career.

“I’m happy not fighting. I’m happy being back on the west coast. I’m doing what I’m doing and not worrying with that burden of fighting over my head and pursuing that. I’ve been doing it for nearly fourteen years. I’ve conquered two different companies. I’ve been the best in the world undisputedly. I sleep well with that. Not a lot guys can do that.”

With all the talks of not appearing on pay-per-view as a competitor, Luke Rockhold doesn’t discount the fact that he could still return to MMA sometime down the road.

“I don’t live my life on nevers. I’m never one to quit something entirely. I don’t want to put a roadblock anywhere in life. I always leave doors open. That’s how I live my life. I’ve fared well for myself thus far. I’m going to keep that mentality and keep that lifestyle. I’m doing what I want to do and creating different outlets. I love it.”


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