LAS VEGAS – UFC president Dana White believes it’s time for Luke Rockhold to retire after the former champion was knocked out in brutal fashion yet again at UFC 239.
Rockhold (16-5 MMA, 6-4 UFC), the former UFC and Strikeforce middleweight champion, had his light heavyweight debut spoiled in a gruesome manner when he was floored by Jan Blachowicz (24-8 MMA, 7-5 UFC) in the second round on Saturday.
All five of Rockhold’s career defeats have come by knockout, and at 34, White said the time could be right to move on from competition.
“I think Luke Rockhold should talk about hanging it up,” White said at the UFC 239 post-fight news conference. “He broke his jaw tonight. That’s his second broken jaw, he’s been knocked out viciously a few times here, his shin is all banged up, he had to have skin graphs and all kinds of stuff. He’s had a good career. He’s been a great fighter. I’d like to see him hang it up.”
UFC 239 took place at T-Mobile Arena. Rockhold vs. Blachowicz was part of the main card, which aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.
Rockhold’s appearance marked his return to competition from a career-long 511-day layoff. He had to recover from multiple injuries during that stretch, and leading up to UFC 239 was discussing a title shot after his debut at 205 pounds.
White said Rockhold doesn’t necessarily need fighting, though. The American has another gig in modeling, and White hinted that he should focus on that going forward.
“He’s got another career, he’s got a second career,” White said. “Everyone’s a (expletive) model, right? ‘I’m a model, I’m a model.’ That guy’s actually really modeling for Ralph Lauren. So, good for him.”
For complete coverage of UFC 239, check out the UFC Results.
