Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold retires from MMA

While former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold didn’t say the word “retire” after his loss at UFC 278, he has communicated to the UFC that is his intention.

MMA Junkie confirmed with a representative of Rockhold  (16-6 MMA, 6-5 UFC) on Tuesday that he is in fact retiring from MMA following a notification from the algorithm-based Twitter account UFC Roster Watch, which tracks the additions and removals from the active UFC roster.

Fighter removed: Luke Rockhold

— UFC Roster Watch (@UFCRosterWatch) August 23, 2022

After his all-out war of a fight against Paulo Costa (14-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) in the co-main event of UFC 278, Rockhold took his gloves off while in the octagon before giving an impassioned post-fight interview with Joe Rogan.

“I’ve been through so much the last few years,” Rockhold said as tears flowed. “I f*cking … thank you, fighting. Thank you, UFC. Thank you, Joe (Rogan). I f*cking can’t do this sh*t anymore. I gave it my all. I just didn’t … I’m f*cking old.”

“I gave it my all … I’m f—ing old.”

Luke Rockhold was full of emotions as he announced his retirement after #UFC278 pic.twitter.com/QsJvGcH2sB

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 21, 2022

Rockhold, 37, never specifically said he was retiring in the moment. Although his interview sounded like a retirement speech, he never said it specifically and did not lay his gloves in the center of the cage, as traditionally done to signify walking away from the sport.

The former champion will indeed walk away after competing for the first time in three years. The best stretch of Rockhold’s UFC career was a five-fight win streak that led to the title, which three consecutive wins over former champions in Michael Bisping, Lyoto Machida, and Chris Weidman.