Luke Rockhold is returning to UFC Middleweight division after a long break. The former champion has his sights set on number 4 in the rankings – either of them that is since the position is currently shared by Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa.
Rockhold has agreed to face Paulo Costa at UFC 278 in August – after efforts by Costa to move the fight.
“He’s looking for a way out at times,’ Rockhold said, when asked if Costa had a weakness. “He’s not 100% in and that’s a dangerous place to be. I’ve been there, not 100% in.”
““I don’t like him. First of all, I don’t like Paulo Costa. Any decent man in the world [doesn’t like him]. You look at the guy and you hear the guy and you’re like ‘f*ck”.”
And as for Strickland – Rockhold doesn’t like him either.
“He’s on the different side of Sean Strickland,” Rockhold continued. “Two both just horrible human beings. [Strickland] is out there supporting pedo philes. The guy needs to be written off.”
This is an interesting statement to make considering that Strickland has been one of the only high profile competitors to direct the media’s attention towards grooming – especially toward female athletes.
Strickland has previously blasted both Rose Namajunas’ and Aspen Ladd’s coaches for dating them even though they met them when they were underage.