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Michael Bisping may not like Luke Rockhold, but even he was unhappy with what befell Rockhold on Saturday evening in the main event of UFC 221. Not the brutal knockout loss Rockhold suffered, but the aftermath wherein Yoel Romero cornered Rockhold for an extended period of time after he knocked him out, ostensibly trying to befriend his freshly fallen victim.
On the most recent edition of his Believe You Me podcast, (h/t MMA Mania) Bisping reacted to the unusual circumstances, saying that he believed Romero was out of bounds with his post-fight actions.
“I don’t take pleasure from seeing somebody knocked out like that, I really don’t,” Bisping said. “He got knocked out and he just looked so devastated, absolutely crushed. Then to make matters worse, Romero - the guy that just knocked him out - gets in his face, pins him up against the fence, has his arms over his shoulders like that so Rockhold literally can’t go anywhere and he’s professing his undying love for him, ‘I love you, Luke. I love you.’
“There’s nothing wrong with kissing a man on the cheek. But I just think after you’ve knocked them out cold, after you’ve taken away their dreams of being world champion, after you’ve literally inflicted a lot of violence - the marks are visible, there’s blood on his face, he’s maybe lost some brain cells and he doesn’t know what the f**k is going on - pinning the guy up against the Octagon and trying to make out with him is a little bit much.”
Post-fight interactions between fighters happen fairly frequently but Romero’s cornering of a freshly conscious Rockhold was much more than the usual antics Rockhold did not seem to be particularly inclined to participate in the extended conversation Romero instigated. The entire thing was something that should have been nipped in the bud by officials in the cage, says Bisping, because it could lead to an even more unfortunate happening.
”I’ve got to say, in that circumstance, and I’m not trying to knock any of the officials - but really happy Valentine’s Day, it’s really quite the couple they make there - I’ve got to say, they shouldn’t allow that to happen in future because you got to remember, think about it. I know when I’ve been knocked out you haven’t got a clue what’s going on. You haven’t got a jar of f**king clues where your head is at and you have to piece it back together.
”And then all of a sudden you have the guy who has just knocked you out with his arms around you, up against the Octagon sexually assaulting you, Hashtag Me Too. There’s nothing to stop Rockhold elbowing him in the face, punching him, because he might still feel the fight is going on. Who knows? I just don’t think they should allow, certainly not Romero, I mean come on, it was a little bit much.”
Perhaps with Bisping retiring, he and Rockhold can bury the hatchet.
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Title. Dustin Poirier expects Conor McGregor to be stripped of belt before UFC 223.
PFL. Will Brooks announced he was cut by the UFC, entering PFL’s $1 million tournament.
VIDEO STEW
The thrill and the agony.
Powell got himself on TMZ.
An interesting new endeavor from our friends at Bloody Elbow, discussing classic combat sport films.
Ruining all our fun.
Rashad with the hard conversation.
Moder Dr. Seuss.
Luke in the hospital.
LISTEN UP
Heavy Hands. Discussing Yoel Romero’s KO of Luke Rockhold.
Severe MMA. Discussing Bellator 194, Lobov vs Caceres, Paul Hughes and ACB 80
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Horrifying.
No comment, terrible moments of parents. My daughter today. Shooting at her school#америка #парклэнд #школа #майами #флорида #олейник #florida #miami #parkland #shooting #stonemanschool #oleynik #news #terrible pic.twitter.com/vPOOPhKDfW
— Alexey Oleynik (@oleynikufc) February 14, 2018
Gus just got ethered.
Nice timing Alexander(kick him while he’s down huh). I got a better idea tho he doesn’t fight you next. He fights Robert Whitaker, I mean sometimes that happens right. You lose your way into a title shot! #thegustafsonway
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) February 15, 2018
Please, no.
.@ChuckLiddell funny thing is I told @UFC to put the fight together and they said you were incapable to fight again. Maybe you can twist @DanaWhite ‘s arm. @TMZ_Sports
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) February 15, 2018
Unfortunate run.
Genuinely good work from the UFC on this one.
The biggest trash talker in UFC history, @SageNorthcutt. #UFCAustin pic.twitter.com/Mp9o9xUeQb
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) February 15, 2018
Smart man.
I’d love to get on a card in Miami! Nothing better than not having to travel for a fight or pay state tax.
— Chas Skelly (@ChasSkelly) February 14, 2018
Picking a fight.
I heard you looking someone for @beneildariush on #UFC222 @seanshelby @danawhite @ufc @UFCEurope I’m ready!
— Marcin Held (@MarcinHeld) February 14, 2018
You won't hear me complain. Just need a name
— Beneil Dariush (@beneildariush) February 15, 2018
Congrats.
2-14-18 the best Valentine's of my life. Married my best friend and can't wait to see what the future holds. I love you @jennydacquisto !! #immarried #bestfriends #married #mrandmrs #Anderson pic.twitter.com/HRqQZEVqFa
— Corey Anderson UFC (@CoreyA_MMA) February 15, 2018
Terrifying.
In the Sauna about to start cutting weight #ReebokCombat pic.twitter.com/8viztmNVTf
— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) February 15, 2018
The Reem.
Perfect picture to caption.
Lights Out + Hendo @danhendo getting the @musclemonster team going. pic.twitter.com/yER90IMGRi
— Shawne Merriman (@shawnemerriman) February 13, 2018
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Stevie Ray (21-7) vs. Kajan Johnson (22-12-1); UFC London, March 17.
Claudia Gadelha (15-3) vs. Carla Esparza (13-4); UFC 225, June 9.
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2012: T.J. Dillashaw earned his first UFC win, taking a wide unanimous decision over Walel Watson at UFC on Fuel TV 1.
2014: Lyoto Machida earned a middleweight title shot after winning a unanimous decision over Gegard Mousasi at UFC Fight Night 36.
FINAL THOUGHTS
That’s all for today folks. Take it easy and see y’all tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
Poll
Should Luke Rockhold move up to 205 pounds?
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