Luke Rockhold News
Luke Rockhold teases return despite retiring after UFC 278 loss: "2023 could get interesting"
Cole Shelton - January 2, 2023
Luke Rockhold may not be retired after all. Rockhold made his return to the Octagon at UFC 278 against Paulo Costa but suffered a decision loss in a thrilling back-and-forth scrap. After the loss, the former middleweight champ announced his retirement from the sport.
Luke Rockhold open to boxing matches after UFC retirement: "My legs need a f*cking break"
Josh Evanoff - October 14, 2022
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold is retired from MMA, but not other combat sports. The former champion was last seen in action at UFC 278 in August. That matchup with Paulo Costa was an important one for the California native. It was his first octagon appearance in over three years and his first middleweight fight in over four years.
Luke Rockhold discusses poor relationship with Dana White and regaining support at UFC 278: "you've got to get dirty and nasty sometimes to show people who the f*ck you are"
Josh Evanoff - October 13, 2022
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold has discussed his relationship with Dana White. The California native was last seen at UFC 278 in August, against Paulo Costa. The fight was an important one for Rockhold, as he hadn’t competed in over three years. Furthermore, prior to his matchup with the Brazilian, the former champion hadn’t competed at middleweight in over four years.
Daniel Cormier advises Luke Rockhold to stay retired following “absolutely perfect” end to his MMA career
Susan Cox - September 30, 2022
Daniel Cormier is advising Luke Rockhold to stay retired following an ‘absolutely perfect’ end to his MMA career. It was just 6 weeks ago that Rockhold (16-6 MMA) announced his retirement inside the Octagon after fighting Paulo Costa (14-2 MMA) at UFC 278 on August 20th. The former UFC middleweight champion lost to Costa via unanimous decision. It was the Californian’s 3rd loss in a row.
Luke Rockhold shares the three favorite fights of his storied mixed martial arts career
Susan Cox - September 5, 2022
Luke Rockhold has shared the three favorite fights of his storied mixed martial arts career. Rockhold, 37, (16-6 MMA) recently retired following UFC 278, after being defeated in the co-main middleweight event by Paulo Costa (14-2 MMA) by unanimous decision. Speaking with Joe Rogan, during his Octagon interview, the Californian stated:
Luke Rockhold clarifies retirement talk, states he could return in the future: "I want to get my body back, but I’ll never close the door"
Josh Evanoff - September 2, 2022
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold has left the door open for a return. The 37-year-old returned to action last month at UFC 278 against Paulo Costa. The bout ended a three-year layoff for the former titleholder. Despite the time out of the cage, Rockhold didn’t miss a beat.
Sean Strickland shares some harsh parting words for recently retired former UFC champion Luke Rockhold
Susan Cox - August 26, 2022
Sean Strickland has shared some harsh parting words for the recently retired former UFC champion Luke Rockhold. It was Luke Rockhold (16-6 MMA) vs Paulo Costa (14-2 MMA) at UFC 278 this past weekend, Saturday, August 20th. In the co-main event, the former middleweight champion Rockhold, went down to defeat by unanimous decision.
Anthony Smith believes Luke Rockhold had all the ingredients to be a “superstar” after UFC 278: “Where was this f**king guy ten years ago?”
Cole Shelton - August 25, 2022
Anthony Smith thinks Luke Rockhold could’ve been a superstar if he acted the way he did at UFC 278 throughout his entire career. In the lead-up to his return fight against Paulo Costa, Rockhold was vocal about his displeasure with the UFC, fighter pay, and how fighters are treated among other topics.
Luke Rockhold blasts Jake Paul over UFC 278 comments: "Go back in your f****** hole before I f****** smack the s*** out of you"
Josh Evanoff - August 24, 2022
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold has blasted Jake Paul. At UFC 278 last Saturday night in Salt Lake City, the 37-year-old returned to action. The co-main event against Paulo Costa was Rockhold’s first fight since 2019. Despite the layoff, the former UFC champion looked like he hadn’t missed a beat.
Luke Rockhold explains why he smeared blood on Paulo Costa at UFC 278: "It was just a f*ck you"
Josh Evanoff - August 24, 2022
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold has explained why he smeared blood on Paulo Costa at UFC 278. Last Saturday night in Salt Lake City, the 37-year-old returned to action. The co-main event with the Brazilian was Rockhold’s first contest in over three years. Despite the time off, the former champion didn’t miss a beat.
Luke Rockhold notifies the UFC of his official retirement
Harry Kettle - August 24, 2022
Luke Rockhold has officially notified the UFC of his intention to retire from mixed martial arts at the age of 37. At UFC 278 last weekend, Luke Rockhold gave everything he had in his war with Paulo Costa in one of the most entertaining fights in recent memory. The veteran ultimately lost the contest on the scorecards but in a general sense, he certainly earned the respect of the masses as he went out on his shield.
Daniel Cormier explains why UFC 278 "was a fairytale ending" for Luke Rockhold
Cole Shelton - August 23, 2022
Daniel Cormier believes UFC 278 was a fairytale ending for Luke Rockhold. Rockhold ended his three-year layoff in the co-main event of UFC 278 as he returned to middleweight against Paulo Costa. It was a highly-anticipated bout and was a massive fight for both men as if Rockhold won, he likely could’ve gotten a title shot.
Video | Luke Rockhold gave Paulo Costa a bloody face wash during round three of their war at UFC 278
Fernando Quiles - August 21, 2022
Luke Rockhold had an epic, yet gross, moment with Paulo Costa at the end of their three-round scrap at UFC 278. Rockhold and Costa did battle in the co-main event of UFC 278 on August 20. Rockhold was hoping to show that he still had some legs in the MMA game. Ultimately, he came to the realization that it’s time to wrap up his career but he delivered a gutsy performance that won’t soon be forgotten.
Dana White reacts to Paulo Costa defeating Luke Rockhold in Saturday’s UFC 278 co-main event
Fernando Quiles - August 21, 2022
UFC President Dana White has reacted to the three-round war between Paulo Costa and Luke Rockhold. Costa vs. Rockhold served as the co-main event of UFC 278 inside Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. It was quite clear that Rockhold had difficulty fighting at high altitude but his toughness carried him through all three rounds.
Pros react after Paulo Costa defeats Luke Rockhold at UFC 278
Chris Taylor - August 20, 2022
Tonight’s UFC 278 event was co-headlined by a highly anticipated middleweight matchup featuring Luke Rockhold taking on Paulo Costa. Rockhold (16-5 MMA) was ending a three-year hiatus when he took to the Octagon this evening. The California native was looking to snap a two-fight losing skid, this after suffering knockout losses to Jan Blachowicz and Yoel Romero in his most previous efforts.
UFC 278 Results: Paulo Costa defeats Luke Rockhold (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - August 20, 2022
Tonight’s UFC 278 event is co-headlined by a highly anticipated middleweight matchup featuring Luke Rockhold taking on Paulo Costa. Rockhold (16-5 MMA) will be ending a three-year hiatus when he takes to the Octagon this evening. The California native will be looking to snap a two-fight losing skid, this after suffering knockout losses to Jan Blachowicz and Yoel Romero in his most recent efforts.
Michael Bisping says he would “sign off” on a Luke Rockhold title shot if he can defeat Paulo Costa at UFC 278: “He does conceive, believe, achieve and he carries himself like a samurai!”
Cole Shelton - August 19, 2022
Michael Bisping believes Luke Rockhold should get a title if he wins his fight at UFC 278. Rockhold is making his return to the Octagon for the first time in over three years as he faces Paulo Costa in the co-main event of UFC 278. It’s an intriguing matchup that has been full of trash-talking and in the lead-up to the scrap Rockhold has made it known he wants a title should he win.
John McCarthy shares his prediction for Saturday’s UFC 278 co-main event between Luke Rockhold and Paulo Costa: “I'm calling it by stoppage in the third”
Susan Cox - August 19, 2022
John McCarthy is sharing his prediction for Saturday’s UFC 278 co-main event between Luke Rockhold and Paulo Costa. UFC 278 takes place tomorrow at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.