UFC

Luke Rockhold explains weird bloody face-rubbing against Paulo Costa

Published

August 25, 2022

Luke Rockhold and Paulo Costa fought a tough fight at UFC 278 last Saturday. Photo: Viaplay and Twitter

In the co-main event of last Saturday’s UFC 278, Paulo Costa and Luke Rockhold clashed in a Fight of the Night awarded three-rounder. In the very last seconds of the final round, Rockhold decided to rub his blood-smeared face against Costa’s, which seemed to confuse both the Brazilian as well as fans and experts all over the world.

In a recent chat with Ariel Helwani, the former middleweight champion explained why he did what he did.

“That’s just ‘fuck you’. I remember just talking back and forth,” Rockhold said on The MMA Hour. “When somebody’s point fighting and someone’s going for the kill, there’s a difference. I felt like I was there to kill or be killed and he was out there trying to get by. I just felt like I was in there with a lesser man and wanted to show him ‘you’re my bitch.'”

Luke Rockhold retired after the fight

The fight at UFC 278 was Rockhold’s first in three years. However, after the loss, the former UFC and Strikeforce champion decided to retire from the sport.

“I’ve been through so much the last few years. Thank you, fighting. Thank you UFC. Thank you, Joe. I fucking can’t do it anymore. I gave it my all and I just didn’t… I’m fucking old,” an emotional Luke Rockhold said in his post-fight interview with commentator Joe Rogan.

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