Luke Rockhold uttalar sig efter KO-förlusten: ”Jag var inte mig själv”

Det må låta som en uttjatad ursäkt men faktum är ju att Luke Rockhold av en eller annan anledning inte såg ut som sig själv i titelmatchen mot Michael Bisping. Enligt den före detta mellanviktsmästaren berodde det på att han underskattade sin motståndare, läs Rockholds fullständiga uttalande om UFC 199 här. 

UFC 199 var ingen rolig kväll för Luke Rockhold (15-3) som förlorade sitt mellanviktsbälte i en av de största skrällarna i sportens historia mot Michael Bisping (29-7).

Bisping har fortsatt driva med Rockhold även efter matchen och av ex-mästarens uttalande att döma hoppas han åtminstone att en omedelbar returmatch är vad som väntar härnäst:

I love the fight game and all that it offers. It’s a chaotic world we live in but the reward far outweighs risk. Allowing the pressure of the situation get to me, I felt the need to preform and make a statement as opposed to staying calculated and winning the fight. I underestimated my opponent and paid for it. Forcing a fight that was unlike me, which left the door open. Credit to Micheal for being the tough guy that he is and capitalizing on the situation. Verbal warfare and fight hype is one thing, but that moment following the outcome of a fight is where a man’s true character shines. After our first fight I picked him up off the canvas and gave him his due respect. Bisping went out of his way to come across the cage not to shake my hand like a man but to further mock the situation. I felt it was a classless move on his part. Thus the reason I was so pissed off at the press conference. I don’t believe in kicking a man while he’s down. I’ve been here before and I’ve always learned and grew from these situations. This will be no different. I will go home, heal up, and come back better than ever before. Bisping, I will see you real soon and I will finish this.

Ett foto publicerat av Luke Rockhold (@lukerockhold) Jun 7, 2016 kl. 9:10 PDT