Luke Rockhold: I’m moving up to 205 to get after ‘princess’ Jon Jones

Bloodyelbow.com

“Just hold tight, I’m coming princess.”

Those are the words of former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold, whose next fight is slated to be in the light heavyweight division. The “princess” in question is current champion Jon Jones, who won the vacant title by TKO vs. Alexander Gustafsson at last week’s UFC 232.

Rockhold spoke with TMZ about Jones’ winning performance, and how well he matches up with “Bones.”

“I thought he looked beatable,” Rockhold said (via MMA Fighting). “He’s good on the feet, he’s tactical, Jon, he adjusts and he fights to his advantages. I like my advantages versus his. He’s great, he’s good everywhere, but I don’t think he’s the most technical on the feet. I don’t think he’s got the most power.

“I’m a different man at this weight, the power behind me. I’m moving up to get after him, so that’s what I’m here for.”

Rockhold (16-4) has not fought since a KO defeat to Yoel Romero at UFC 221. He was scheduled to fight Chris Weidman at UFC 230 this past November, but withdrew due to multiple injuries, and decided that he was going to abandon middleweight and go to 205 lbs. Injuries and other health problems have plagued Rockhold’s career, hence he’s fought just three times over the past three years.

“Health-wise I’m finally back to health, it feels good to fight at my natural weight,” Rockhold said. “The last couple of years, I’ve been compromising myself to get down to ‘85 and my body just falls apart in training camp the last few weeks to get your body fat so low. I’ve never felt so bad at my last fight during the weight cut.

“So it feels right, I feel healthy, I feel comfortable, I’m excited to take down these light heavyweights. I just don’t see a lot there.”

Rockhold’s LHW debut has not been booked, although he did promise that it would be “a top fight.”