Luke Rockhold is looking past Michael Bisping and already projecting his future at UFC 185-pound division. Interviewed by Combate.com, the former Strikeforce Middleweight champion feels that he shouldn’t be behind Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza in the official divisional rankings and suggested they fight at UFC 184, when the champion Chris Weidman and Vitor Belfort will determine the owner of the belt on February of 2015.
“‘Jacare’ is doing fine but I beat him once. I don’t like the fact that he’s in front of me in the rankings. If you look at my career, I was only defeated by Belfort. But I’ll prove myself again as the number one contender against Bisping. And, if this fight has to happen, I respect ‘Jacare’ but I’ll beat him again. He’s doing fine but I believe in me. I think that I’m the best in the world. I’ll settle my business with Bisping and then I see myself in a fight for the number one contender spot. How good would be a bout between me and ‘Jacare’ be as the co-main event of UFC 184?”
‘Jacare’ is in the 2nd place at the UFC official ranking, after only Anderson Silva and the champ Weidman in front of him. Three positions behind of Souza, the 5th place Rockhold will face Bisping on November 8, at the UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Rockhold in Sydney, Australia.
“I see myself knocking Bisping out quickly. He won’t be able to find me in the Octagon. I know that I can take him down and destroy him on the ground but I don’t believe that things will go that far. I really think that I’ll be faster than him, I’m improving my skills a lot. I’ve been developing my strength, my punches and kicks, I’m using my blows better than ever. This is an opportunity to show my improvement.”
If everything goes according to his plan, Rockhold will have the chance of beating ‘Jacare’ for the second time, They fought at Strikeforce Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Kharitonov, in September, 2011, and the AKA fighter was able to win by unanimous decision and get the Strikeforce Middleweight belt. Since then, Souza has won seven straight.