Strikeforce middleweight champ Luke Rockhold recently did an interview about his future in Strikeforce and wanting to fight UFC opponents.
“I don’t really call out specific opponents,” Rockhold said. “I just want to fight the best. Whatever. It’s up to Strikeforce.”
You can’t blame Rockhold for asking for UFC fighters, as Gilbert Melendez recently did the same thing following a win back in December, and other Strikeforce fighters like Nick Diaz, Dan Henderson and Alistair Overeem recently migrating over to the UFC.
But UFC president Dana White and Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker plan to keep the two promotions seperate and put a stop on Strikeforce departures.
“If that’s the plan, that’s the plan,” Rockhold stated. “I’ll make the most of what we’ve got here. Me and Tim Kennedy was supposed to happen quite a few times, and it doesn’t seem to come to happening.” He continued, “I always look to bigger and better things, and if the UFC wants to bring in some top contenders, I’m more than welcome to welcome them in our hexagon, like Gilbert would say.”
“I’m more than willing to fight anybody here – Tim Kennedy or even a rematch with [Ronaldo] ‘Jacare’ [Souza],” Rockhold said. “If they want to bring guys over, let’s bring guys over, but I’m content and I’m happy in Strikeforce. Eventually I think we’ll get the matchups, so I just want to fight the guys that have earned their spot in here. No offense to Keith Jardine. He’s a tough guy, and he’s a veteran opponent, but I want to fight guys that have really earned their spot.” He also stated, “Tim Kennedy I’d say is the most valid challenger right now, no doubt. We’ll see if we can make that fight happen. I’m more than willing to take that fight.”
