After his defeat at UFC 278, Luke Rockhold did not throw in the towel, but he did inform the organization of his retirement.
After the algorithm-based Twitter account UFC Roster Watch posted on Tuesday about Rockhold’s removal from the roster, MMA Fighting later confirmed with a UFC representative that Rockhold had received a notification.
Also Read: Referee and Judges Confirmed in Khamzat Chimaev vs Nate Diaz in UFC 279
Luke Rockhold
Rockhold, 37, didn’t make the customary fighter retirement gesture following his decision loss to Paulo Costa. He did, however, acknowledge that his time had come to an end, sobbing uncontrollably as he told UFC commentator Joe Rogan, “I f****** can’t do it anymore. I gave it my all and I just didn’t. … I’m f****** old.”
After a brave performance in which Rockhold repeatedly looked like he might pass out at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, he delivered an emotional speech. Rockhold eventually fired back and scored a major victory. After a protracted absence and an emotional appearance during fight week in which he criticized the UFC’s corporate policies and sparred with Costa in the press conference, Rockhold made his first appearance in three years.
Despite dismissing Rockhold’s complaints, UFC President Dana White praised the former champion’s performance in the octagon.
Also Read: “Disgusted and Weird”: Paula Costa speaks up on Rockhold rubbing blood on his face at UFC 278
After UFC 278
After the fight, Rockhold and Costa’s animosity remained unabated after the former immortalized it by rubbing his blood on the latter’s face late in the third round. He shared a picture of the altercation on social media along with the message, “You’re still a b****,” to Costa. He shared a picture on Sunday that appeared to show him sporting compression sleeves.
Also Read: UFC 278 Results & Highlights: Leon Edwards knocks out Kamaru Usman last-minute
Legacy: Luke Rockhold
Rockhold, a former UFC champion and current Strikeforce middleweight champion, has a 6-5 record inside the octagon and a 10-1 record outside of it. The American Kickboxing Academy graduate gained experience in the now-defunct Strikeforce, where he amassed a nine-fight winning streak before switching to the UFC.
Among Rockhold’s most memorable victories are his title-winning decision victory over Ronaldo Souza, his second-round submission of Michael Bisping, who would later become champion, and his fourth-round TKO of Chris Weidman, who gave him the UFC title.
