Luke Rockhold’s Shift in Perspective on Alex Pereira
Luke Rockhold has moved past his animosity toward Alex Pereira.
At one time, Rockhold held the title of UFC middleweight champion and was regarded as one of the finest fighters globally. Despite a challenging end to his MMA career, marked by a disappointing record of one win in his final five outings, Rockhold maintained the self-belief that propelled him to his championship status. He had previously suggested that a fight against Pereira would be akin to facing an opponent for a “free belt.”
However, Rockhold’s attitude has shifted.
Earlier this month, Pereira reclaimed the UFC light heavyweight title with an impressive first-round victory over Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320. This triumph not only reinstated Pereira as champion but also earned Rockhold’s admiration.
“I used to criticize Alex Pereira, but the guy is tough,” Rockhold shared with TMZ Sports. “It’s all about confidence; he has it. I can no longer hate on him. He stands out as one of the greatest of all time.”
“He shows the same mentality each time he fights. While he may lack a ground game, he is incredibly tenacious. No more negativity. Alex, bless you. You’re a true fighter. He’s among the best champions in history, and it’s genuinely remarkable,” he added.
Rockhold’s initial rivalry with Pereira surfaced toward the conclusion of Rockhold’s career, coinciding with Pereira’s rise in the sport. Back in 2022, Rockhold had recently retired from MMA as Pereira prepared to challenge Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title. In just a few years, Pereira has ascended to become a two-division champion and a two-time light heavyweight titleholder.
Despite the brief duration of his championship reign, Rockhold sees a bright future for Pereira at the top.
