Luke Rockhold’s career has fallen on hard times recently, having won once since winning the UFC middleweight title in 2015. A pair of knockout losses to Michael Bisping and Yoel Romero caused Rockhold to make the move up to light heavyweight with the idea being that the easier weight cut would improve his performance. That proved not to be the case though as he was also knocked out in his light heavyweight debut. That poor run, on top of dealing with a swath of injuries, led Rockhold to reveal was strongly considering retirement and had “no interest” in fighting right now.

But in MMA, retirements rarely last long and in some instances, they never get started at all. And in Rockhold’s case, it seems to belong in the latter category.

Over the weekend, Rockhold told ESPN that he plans to return to fighting. ESPN reported that the former UFC and Strikeforce middleweight champion is planing to return to the division he won his titles and is hoping to fight again before the end of the year, though he is still currently rehabbing following shoulder surgery. When asked why he was choosing not to retire, Rockhold responded in trademark Rockhold form.

“Because I felt like it.”

This shouldn’t be terribly surprising. Earlier this year, Rockhold admitted that he was “getting an itch” to fight again. Reading between the lines, it seems that Rockhold’s retirement was in part due to being “burnt out” with fighting and injuries. Now with some time off and an improving health status, it appears that Rockhold is ready to resume his career.

And that’s not the only part of Rockhold’s mentality that has changed. When Rockhold began teasing a return, he was asked about a potential rematch with the man he won the UFC title off of, Chris Weidman. At the time, Rockhold was pretty clearly against it, saying “I’m not huge on retracing my footsteps. Sometimes it’s exciting to do that. Rarely it is but I like to pave a new path everywhere I go, for the most part.” However, following Weidman’s win over Omari Akhmedov this past weekend, ESPN is reporting that Rockhold has also come around on that idea and is now interested in a rematch. And though he wasn’t asked about it, it’s hard to imagine Rockhold’s answer would have been any different than his other one: because he felt like it.

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MUST-READ STORIES

Grudge match. Colby Covington vs. Tyron Woodley targeted for showdown at UFC event on Sept. 19.

Trash talk. Sean O’Malley doesn’t believe Cody Garbrandt actually wants to fight him.

Promotion. Javier Mendez: Daniel Cormier ‘not performing like a 41-year-old,’ could keep fighting if he wanted.

Out. Zabit Magomedsharipov announces he will not fight on Aug. 29, returning to Russia for now.

Let go. Roman Bogatov released from UFC following foul-filled debut loss to Leonardo Santos.

Postponed. Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. exhibition match postponed, targeted for Nov. 28.

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VIDEO STEW

Embedded: UFC 252.

The UFC’s top trilogies.

Free fight.

Top 10 fight rituals in ONE Championship.

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LISTEN UP

The Co-Main Event. Discussing Derrick Lewis, Michael Chandler, and UFC 255.

Fights Gone By. Discussing the biggest fights from this past weekend.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Khabib with an absolutely savage comment here.

Is Volkanovski changing his tune about Cejudo?

Yair.

Apologies.

Ben Askren beefing with Logan Paul.

Tony being Tony.

Woodley on the Titan Games difficulty.

Obviously yes.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Bryan Barbarena (14-7) vs. Anthony Ivy (8-3); UFC Fight Night, Sep. 12.

Tyron Woodley (19-5-1) vs. Colby Covington (15-2); UFC Fight Night, Sep. 19.

Brandon Morena (17-5-1) vs. Alex Perez (24-5); UFC 255, Nov. 21.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.

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EXIT POLL

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If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram, add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting, and like us on Facebook.