L. Rockhold hasn't fought since 2019, when he was beaten by J. Blachowicz. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Provoked by the president of Ultimate, Dana White, after the UFC 260, Jon Jones gained a strong supporter. Fervent critic of the way the 'boss' conducts negotiations within the company, Luke Rockhold He did not remain silent and harshly criticized the president about his stance towards athletes. In an interview with podcast 'Rippin' It', the former middleweight champion expressed his opinion.
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“Fighting is like a mafia. These are mafia tactics in negotiations. They try to fuck you up. If you don't know your worth, someone will tell you, and it will be less than it's worth. So, get to know yourself and benefit from it too”, said the North American.
Ultimate champion between 2015 and 2016, Rockhold says he knows the process of reaching agreements with the company's board of directors. The athlete then cited a specific episode he experienced with Dana White, when, according to the fighter, the agent had treated him in a despicable way.
“When I lost the belt, Dana White arrived and tried to mentally shake me. It was like: 'Fuck you.' Straighten up.' I thought I'd go do my own thing if I was offered that shit. I know who I am and what I did. So that was the reason I went out and got my modeling contract, so I could leverage myself,” Luke revealed.
Without sparing the 'boss', Rockhold stated that Ultimate athletes end up becoming hostages of the company. For the combatant, as there is no union between the organization's representatives, the board dictates the rules and it is up to the employees to follow them.
“We don’t have a governing body, that’s a problem. They have them everywhere, but we have a selfish guy who is a bit of a tyrant. He'll make you fight, put your ass on the straight and narrow. Then, lift you up and make you take the risk, otherwise you will be treated like rubbish,” he fired.
Luke's criticism didn't stop there. With Dana in his sights, the former champion stated that the treatment of the UFC president should be reviewed, as the president does not have his life put at risk inside the Octagon.
“It’s regrettable. A guy like that, he thinks he can fight, that he is a fighter. I don't know why he's trying to belittle all fighters when you've never fought a day in your life. I understand you are a prosecutor. We need a governing body to actually give people what they deserve because he doesn't play the game well.”
Despite so much criticism, Rockhold is willing to negotiate his return to the octagon. Without fighting since the harsh defeat suffered by Jan Blachowicz, in 2019, the athlete wants to test himself one last time in the sport, before officially declaring his retirement.
"I'm 36 years old. I don't want to stay in this sport for too long. I want one more 'race'. (…) I want to go all out, without dancing. I want to win the (middleweight) belt again. In one or two fights, I will be there”, he concluded.
A professional in MMA since 2007, Luke now has a record of 21 fights. Currently, the fighter has 16 wins and five losses. The American's last positive result came in 2017, when he surpassed David Branch.
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