When the Strikeforce roster merged with the UFC’s in 2013, there was buzz, excitement, and skepticism. MMA’s premiere promotion was thought to have housed all the best talent, but Daniel Cormier, Robbie Lawler, Ronda Rousey and Luke Rockhold flipped the script.
Rockhold, who challenges Chris Weidman for the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 194, still doesn’t feel he’s getting the respect he deserves.
The former SF middleweight champion says his fights with “Jacare” Souza and Tim Kennedy under the Strikeforce banner were tougher than any in the UFC.
“It feels good to be credited for your work and what you do and pride yourself on, of course,” Rockhold said at the UFC 194 pre-fight press conference (transcripts via MMA Mania). So for your accomplishments to be beaten down and made less of what they really were, of course I came in with a point to prove when I came here. I’m here now and I am here to make another point. People still look at my last win as my biggest one, they don’t realize my fights with Tim Kennedy and Jacare, those guys were much tougher for me than anything I’ve faced thus far. I got nothing for that. So, one more point to prove, one more statement to make, it’s going to come Saturday night.”
Jacare, 36, is also one of the top talents to crossover from Strikeforce. The Brazilian is currently ranked as the #2 middleweight in the world and will face #3 ranked Yoel Romero to determine the next title contender.
Weidman vs. Rockhold will feature as the co-main event for the UFC 194 PPV extravaganza on Dec. 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.