Luke Rockhold has thrown out the challenge for a trilogy bout against his longtime rival Michael Bisping, and "The Count" finally has an answer for the former UFC middleweight champion.
After his interim UFC middleweight title opportunity defeat to Yoel Romero last month, Rockhold recently joined The MMA Hour to discuss what's next for him in his mixed martial arts (MMA) career.
The American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) product suggested a trilogy fight with ex-UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping would be a good option (quotes via MMA Fighting):
“Why don’t we do this thing in style?” Rockhold said on the show. “Let’s sign on the bottom line. … I know this is a fight the UFC is pursuing.
"So, we’ll see. We’ll see if Bisping can back up his mouth once again.”
As seen, Rockhold hinted that this is a fight that the UFC is already working on. He also noted, however, that he'd like the fight to happen at UFC 226 in Las Vegas and for the two foes to get some extra power packed into their punch, with the fight being at 205 pounds.
MMA Fighting reached out to Bisping for comment on a possible fight with Rockhold, and he responded by claiming he has received no such offer and suggested Rockhold stick to modeling:
“I can categorically on the record state that I have not been offered a fight with (Rockhold) on July 7,” Bisping said. “He shouldn’t be so keen to get knocked out again anyway.
"Stick to modeling. Judging by his last three fights, MMA certainly doesn’t appear his thing anymore.”
The modeling career Bisping is referring to relates to the fact that Ralph Lauren has named Rockhold the new face of their Polo Blue fragrance line.
Rockhold and Bisping's rivalry began back in 2014 when the Californian submitted the Brit via mounted guillotine choke after knocking "The Count" down with a kick. Bisping then pulled off one of the greatest upsets in MMA history in their rematch.
He stepped in for an injured Chris Weidman at UFC 199 to knock out Rockhold in the first round for the UFC middleweight championship. After successfully defending his title once against Dan Henderson, Bisping dropped the belt to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 217 last year.
What are your thoughts on Rockhold challenging Bisping to a trilogy fight next? Do you think that Bisping will eventually accept this fight? And is this a fight that you want to see happen? Let us know your thoughts on the matter in the comments section below!
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