Rockhold: I need to get f***ing paid

On September 7, former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold said he had a bout agreement in the mail, but he was turning it down because the money was “BULLS***.” Rockhold planned to model instead. On September 11, it was announced that he would be fighting Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza on November 26.

During a recent appearance on the Extra Rounds podcast, Rockhold explained what changed.

“I signed my contract with the UFC back before I fought Machida,” said Rockhold, as transcribed by Jed Meshew for MMA Fighting. “I had confidence in myself to win the title and I thought that I’d find myself in a better situation but the contract fell back – before I was able to restructure it – to a place where I wasn’t really happy with it. Seeing what I fell back to and knowing what I’ve accomplished and my credibility in the sport, I wasn’t happy with what they were offering. It’s gonna take more than that to get me to fight.

“I’ve got other avenues outside the sport, and I’m not gonna go fight when it’s not worth it. I gotta get my due, I’ve gotta get my worth. No matter how much I love fight, and what I’m doing out here, I need to get f***ing paid.”

“I think we’re in a transition period. I think there’s definitely positive change in the sport and people are starting to realize it’s about leverage in the right situation and understanding your worth… These guys are trying to keep you down on these paychecks, keep you hungry, keep you needing more.”

“They restructured the deal for the time being, and so we got a new contract. We got a new contract upping the money, and we got the right fight so I think this will be the best fight for me right now to get me back to the title. I think we’re clearly the best two guys in the division, so this will solidify myself to going back and getting my gold back.”

Rockhold is the #1 contender, and Jacare is #3. However, #2 ranked Chris Weidman fights #4 ranked Yoel Romero at UFC 205 on November 12. It is likely that whoever gets the more exciting win gets the title shot.

However, it will be against the winner of champion Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson. But, if Hendo wins, he says he is retiring, and actually might. And actually should. If that happens the UFC will decide who fights for the new title, and it could very well be the winner of both November fights.

Rockhold has had one rematch in his career, and it was against Bisping; that did not go well. The Jacare fight in November will be his second, and Rockhold says this one will be approached differently.

“It’s about respecting your opponent, something I didn’t do the last time out,” he said. “I went out there and completely disregarded my opponent and what he brought to the table. Anything can happen in this game and I got caught. But it doesn’t tell the tale of who the better fighter is. It’s time for me to go back and fight in a way that got me to the title. That’s being a precise, tactical fighter and respecting my opponent. Going in there and doing what I have to do.”

(16:30 mark)

Luke Rockhold fights Ronaldo Souza at UFC Fight Night 101 on November 27, in Melbourne, Australia.