But in MMA, retirements rarely last long and in some instances, they never get started at all. And in Rockhold’s case, it seems to belong in the latter category.
Over the weekend, Rockhold told ESPN that he plans to return to fighting. ESPN reported that the former UFC and Strikeforce middleweight champion is planing to return to the division he won his titles and is hoping to fight again before the end of the year, though he is still currently rehabbing following shoulder surgery. When asked why he was choosing not to retire, Rockhold responded in trademark Rockhold form.
“Because I felt like it.”
This shouldn’t be terribly surprising. Earlier this year, Rockhold admitted that he was “getting an itch” to fight again. Reading between the lines, it seems that Rockhold’s retirement was in part due to being “burnt out” with fighting and injuries. Now with some time off and an improving health status, it appears that Rockhold is ready to resume his career.
And that’s not the only part of Rockhold’s mentality that has changed. When Rockhold began teasing a return, he was asked about a potential rematch with the man he won the UFC title off of, Chris Weidman. At the time, Rockhold was pretty clearly against it, saying “I’m not huge on retracing my footsteps. Sometimes it’s exciting to do that. Rarely it is but I like to pave a new path everywhere I go, for the most part.” However, following Weidman’s win over Omari Akhmedov this past weekend, ESPN is reporting that Rockhold has also come around on that idea and is now interested in a rematch. And though he wasn’t asked about it, it’s hard to imagine Rockhold’s answer would have been any different than his other one: because he felt like it.
[h=1]MUST-READ STORIES[/h]Grudge match. Colby Covington vs. Tyron Woodley targeted for showdown at UFC event on Sept. 19.
Trash talk. Sean O’Malley doesn’t believe Cody Garbrandt actually wants to fight him.
Promotion. Javier Mendez: Daniel Cormier ‘not performing like a 41-year-old,’ could keep fighting if he wanted.
Out. Zabit Magomedsharipov announces he will not fight on Aug. 29, returning to Russia for now.
Let go. Roman Bogatov released from UFC following foul-filled debut loss to Leonardo Santos.
Postponed. Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. exhibition match postponed, targeted for Nov. 28.
[h=1]VIDEO STEW[/h]Embedded: UFC 252.
The UFC’s top trilogies.
Free fight.
Top 10 fight rituals in ONE Championship.
[h=1]LISTEN UP[/h]The Co-Main Event. Discussing Derrick Lewis, Michael Chandler, and UFC 255.
Fights Gone By. Discussing the biggest fights from this past weekend.
[h=1]SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE[/h]Khabib with an absolutely savage comment here.
View this post on Instagram
Quick peek into my journey from April to now. I was on that big boy diet, but today I feel ready to go. It was tough but we got back into shape and ready to fight. @crazybobcook and I didn’t know what we were gonna do lol. But we got it. LFG
A post shared by Daniel "DC" Cormier (@dc_mma) on Aug 10, 2020 at 11:19am PDT
Come on son, let me tell you a story!! #beinspired @HenryCejudo pic.twitter.com/d66M76nv3z
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) August 11, 2020
Yair.— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) August 11, 2020
@zabeast_mma since you blocked me on insta pussy. pic.twitter.com/ECWpK8Cnel
— Yair Rodriguez (@panteraufc) August 10, 2020
Apologies.— Yair Rodriguez (@panteraufc) August 10, 2020
Rewatched my fight. I hate losing & reacted poorly. I’m sorry, Chris, you won. I’ll be back better. pic.twitter.com/2Hq2XgtZ3n
— AJ Agazarm (@TheFloridaBoy) August 10, 2020
Ben Askren beefing with Logan Paul.— AJ Agazarm (@TheFloridaBoy) August 10, 2020
$10,000 to any influencer who can beat me in a wrestling match
— Logan Paul (@LoganPaul) August 10, 2020
— Logan Paul (@LoganPaul) August 10, 2020
I’ll pin you in less than a minute, bad hip and all https://t.co/uuYVxnqJvn
— Funky (@Benaskren) August 11, 2020
— Funky (@Benaskren) August 11, 2020
Shit happens, you think you can last 1 minute or no? https://t.co/Lvsr0mmmYb
— Funky (@Benaskren) August 11, 2020
Tony being Tony.— Funky (@Benaskren) August 11, 2020
“Alright Alright Alright” Durability Test A Success @rdx_sports Gear Fits Great Just In Time For Sparring!!! # RhutRhoRaggy -CSO- # Hashtag Havin’ Fun Again pic.twitter.com/2OYPkNEeUv
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) August 11, 2020
Woodley on the Titan Games difficulty.— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) August 11, 2020
Been watching America’s got talent. Need to get on @nbctitangames with @TWooodley and @TheRock , Its like American ninja warrior I can do and I ain’t losing to no school teachers #PlatinumTitian
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) August 11, 2020
Obviously yes.— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) August 11, 2020
Should I change my nickname to “baldy Ed” for this next fight
— Brian Kelleher (@brianboom135) August 10, 2020
— Brian Kelleher (@brianboom135) August 10, 2020
[h=1]FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS[/h]Bryan Barbarena (14-7) vs. Anthony Ivy (8-3); UFC Fight Night, Sep. 12.
Tyron Woodley (19-5-1) vs. Colby Covington (15-2); UFC Fight Night, Sep. 19.
Brandon Morena (17-5-1) vs. Alex Perez (24-5); UFC 255, Nov. 21.
[h=1]FINAL THOUGHTS[/h]Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.
[h=1]EXIT POLL[/h]
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram, add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting, and like us on Facebook.
{feed:enclosure_href }
More...
