On Wednesday, it was revealed that two former champions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will be joining the roster of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. On April 21, it is anticipated that Luke Rockhold and Eddie Alvarez would make their first appearances in bare-knuckle boxing. Rockhold will compete against Mike Perry, and Alvarez will go up against Chad Mendes, a past championship challenger.
The former middleweight champion was a guest on this week’s episode of The MMA Hour to discuss his signing, which he expressed extreme happiness over.
“It’s an offer I couldn’t refuse. And, I’m still a free agent. That’s the beauty of life. That’s the beauty of where we’re at and where we’re gonna keep it. BKFC, I’m loyal to them, for sure, if we stay in that space,” he told Ariel Helwani.
“It’s amazing the freedom that they give. You can actually do your own f—ng thing, live your own life. Not be a f—ng slave. I’m done being a f—ng slave, and I’m excited to be partnered with bare-knuckle and do this thing right.
“ It brings out the best in a fighter, too, when you’re not enslaved into that shit. That you’re fighting for yourself in your own worth, and what you can be worth.”
The 39-year-old Rockhold is pleased with his current position at BKFC and the treatment he has received.
“They take care of the fighters, man. They take care of the people, and they give you what you’re worth. And I’m happy to go in there. I’m happy to train, I’m happy to take my training camp with me.
“Given the opponent, the payday, and the stage, I think this was the best opportunity, for sure. There’s still other opportunities still on the table right now, in the mix, but this is exciting, and this is new, and this is what intrigues me the most.”
Rockhold, who has a record of 16–6 in mixed martial arts, was most recently seen competing against Paulo Costa at UFC 278 in August. He was defeated by a resolution that was reached by all parties in agreement, and he promptly announced his retirement. Yet, as is typical in the sport of prizefighting, he started hinting at a comeback a few months later.
