Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold has not been seen in the Octagon since he surrendered the title to Michael Bisping just over a year ago, and at the moment, he still doesn’t have a return fight booked. That said, the former champ is staying ready, in the event that either Robert Whittaker or Yoel Romero is forced out of their UFC 213 interim middleweight title fight.<\/p>\n
Apparently, the former champ will happily step in for either man. Rockhold explained the situation in a recent interview with TMZ.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m training,” he said (h\/t MMAMania<\/a>). “I\u2019ll be ready. If something happens to Yoel, Whittaker, I\u2019ll be ready to fill in.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
While Rockhold claims he’ll be ready to replace Romero or Whittaker in the event of an injury, however, he also suggested that he might soon be booked for a bout with former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi, who is currently working on negotiating a new contract.<\/p>\n
\u201cAsk Mousasi, that\u2019s what they want. I like it,\u201d he said.\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s just a matter of\u2026he\u2019s a man of principle, so I give him some credit, he\u2019s going to wait and see the best offer. Can\u2019t fault a man for that, but I think that\u2019s the fight that makes sense right now.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
While these fights are ones Rockhold would absolutely take, however, his main focus is still on a tie-breaking trilogy fight with the current champ Bisping, who is unfortunately on the injury list<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cIs he gonna fight anybody in the division that\u2019s worthwhile? I\u2019m just gonna do my thing, I\u2019m gonna fight when I have to fight. I\u2019m looking for a fight. Of course I want a third fight with Michael.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Who do you want to see the former champion Luke Rockhold fight next? Play matchmaker in the comments section!<\/p>\n