Rockhold: “If the UFC wants to put a real belt on the line, I’d gladly fight Yoel for it.”

Los Angeles – On UFC TONIGHT, host Kenny Florian and guest host Tyron Woodley recap last week’s UFC FIGHT NIGHT: MANUWA VS. ANDERSON and interview former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold. Plus, Karyn Bryant adds reports.

UFC TONIGHT guest host Tyron Woodley on Jimi Manuwa’s knockout of Corey Anderson: “Manuwa put the division on notice. It shows his IQ. Everyone knows he has a crazy left hook, but throws it from different directions and that’s how he was able to land it.”

UFC TONIGHT host Kenny Florian on who Manuwa should fight next: “I don’t know how realistic it is that he gets the title fight next, with Jon Jones coming back, but Shogun is a good fight for Jimi. Shogun is trying to get back in the title picture. That’s a fight that makes sense.”

Florian on who Gunner Nelson should fight next: “I think either Carlos Condit or Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson make sense. They’re both ranked higher than him and would get him closer to the title shot.”

Luke Rockhold on the state of the middleweight division: “It’s chaos. I think they’re running down a slippery slope. Things could get out of hand. Georges isn’t going to fight anybody at the top of the division if he wins and Bisping could be in the same boat. I’m bummed they took this route. It’s taking away from the sport. It’s about the top guys fighting each other. This isn’t WWE. This is fighting. When you see it, it makes you question a lot of things.”

Rockhold on when he thinks he could fight for the belt: “You tell me? It doesn’t take much. It takes one good fight. I’ll see how it irons out. A lot of guys are waiting. It just depends on what their thoughts are. Yoel is waiting. If they want to put a real belt on the line, I’d gladly fight Yoel for it. I’m not here to dance around, I’m here to fight for titles.”

Rockhold on Bisping’s impersonation of him: “Michael’s trying to distract from his own crap, all the controversy he’s bringing up. He’s avoiding all the fights. He’s avoiding Jacare and Romero.”

Rockhold on what he learned from the Bisping fight: “To not take anyone for granted. I went in there and wrote him off. I need to focus and relax and let the fight come to you. I’m so much better than Michael. If he ever man’s up and I get to fight him again, I’ll show that. But the way the division is going, I don’t know if I’ll get that chance.”

Rockhold on who wins between Michael Bisping and Georges St-Pierre: “Who knows? I think Bisping wins the fight. He’s the bigger guy. Georges won’t be able to take him down. Bisping can scramble and outbox him. I see Bisping winning the fight. We’ll see if he’s a man of his word and if he fights a true contender next, or if he runs off into the sunset.”

Rockhold on what he’s been doing lately: “I’ve been chasing some paychecks. Modeling. I don’t discriminate against paychecks. I’ve got to pay the bills. Injuries are tough. I tore my ACL 50 percent in my left leg. I can’t kick. I’m not going to fight without my left leg, which is my best weapon.”

VIDEO: Interview: Luke Rockhold: “This isn’t WWE.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSgL1YKeD2U

Florian on if rankings should determine title fights: “We’ve gone a little too far to the entertainment values. It’s still a sport. People are not getting enough respect for the performance.”

Woodley on if rankings are more important than entertainment: “When I was coming up, I fought the top guys. Now, it’s too much entertainment. But at the end of the day, you have to do both. We know the rules and as a fighter you have to entertain.”

Woodley on if McGregor vs. Mayweather is good for the sport: “I think this is phenomenal thing for the UFC and for combat sports. Anytime you can bring boxing and UFC together, it’s a great opportunity. These guys are the top of their divisions. But Mayweather is just too experienced in boxing and has fought the top level fighters in boxing. I’m going with Floyd.”

Rockhold on if he wants to see McGregor vs. Mayweather: “I think it’s a fight that needs to take place. It’s better for boxing, but I don’t think it hurts the UFC. It’ll do everything for the sports. I’ll be watching. If Conor loses, he lost to Floyd and comes back to MMA and he’s a two division champion. I don’t pick against Conor, but Floyd is a safe fighter. I’m going with Floyd.”

Florian on McGregor vs. Mayweather: “What does it say about the state of boxing, the state of UFC and Conor McGregor, the fact that Mayweather is looking outside of his sport to get a big-money fight? That’s how big McGregor is. We’re getting the best of the UFC against the best of boxing. It’s going to be huge. For people who don’t know about Conor McGregor, they’re going to look him up and then follow up with him. I’m going with Mayweather, who wins by a decision.”

Rockhold if he wants to see a UFC legends division: “No. This isn’t golf. Are you going to let them use steroids, too? I think it’s a joke.”

Florian on a possible legends division: “If you just match up fighters appropriately, it would solve the problem. Match up Vitor vs. Anderson Silva, according to their age and experience. That would take care of it.”