Luke Rockhold: I don't see what 'Jacare' brings to the table that I don't

UFC middleweight contender Luke Rockhold may not be the official No. 1 contender to the title, but he today told MMAjunkie Radio, “I have a lot of confidence in myself getting that title shot.”

In any case, Rockhold (14-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) plans to stay in shape for the next two weeks. If UFC 187 headliners Chris Weidman (12-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) or Vitor Belfort (24-10 MMA, 13-6 UFC) fall out, he said he will step up.

“Ideally, I’d like a full training camp,” he said. “I’ve come a long way, and I’d like to give it nothing but my best if I’m going to be in for a title fight. But at the same time, if an opportunity that big arises, it’s going to be hard to pass up. So I’m definitely going to stay in shape, I guess. I’ll give it a couple of weeks.”

UFC 187 takes place May 23 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena. Champ Weidman attempts his third title defense against Belfort, an ex-champ at light heavyweight.

While the pay-per-view is set, Rockhold has his own timeline for keeping his hopes up.

“If it gets too close to the fight, I can’t push myself that far, really,” he said. “If one of them is dropping out two weeks prior, that’s just stupid; I’m not going to do that. I’ll stay ready for the next couple of weeks. I’m not going to get too far out of shape, and I’ll feel that out. It’s a tough situation, but I want to fight the winner of that fight.”

Rockhold made a strong argument for why he should be next for the belt this past Saturday at UFC on FOX 15 when he dominated ex-light heavyweight champ and onetime middleweight title contender Lyoto Machida. Although UFC President Dana White indicated both Rockhold and Rondaldo “Jacare” Souza, who stopped Chris Camozzi in the event’s co-headliner, are in the running for a belt, Rockhold feels there’s no argument who’s more qualified.

“I don’t see what ‘Jacare’ brings to the table that I don’t bring,” he said. “If you want to sell pay-per-views, if you want marketability, if you want a real contender. … ‘Jacare’ is a great fighter – I’m not going to lie, he’s good. But his biggest win is against (Gegard) Mousasi. I just stomped the guy who stomped Mousasi, and I beat ‘Jacare.’ His two other wins are Chris Camozzi; he wasn’t even in the UFC (before the second fight), and a lot of guys that aren’t around. (Yusin) Okami, Carmont. … I don’t know what I need to do.”

A meeting with Weidman or Belfort carry different levels of appeal for Rockhold, though he thinks he’s likely to be facing Weidman down the line.

“It’s about the strap,” he said. “I think Chris is a better fighter; I want to fight the best fighter in the world, and I think Chris is going to go out there and beat him. Sure, it would be sweet – I would love to fight Vitor for the title and take the title for him, but if he were to get it – I don’t wish him to do that, I don’t like Vitor, I don’t respect him, I don’t think he deserves it – sure, I’d love to beat his ass.

Belfort derailed Rockhold’s title hopes two years ago when he knocked the former Strikeforce champ out in his octagon debut. Rockhold hasn’t lost since, stopping four consecutive opponents before his eye-opening performance against Machida.

In one round, Rockhold completely dismantled Machida and forced him to tap to a rear-naked choke midway through the second frame.

Rockhold believes he’s the best grappler in the world, though many will defer to wrestling standout Weidman if the two meet. If Belfort prevails in May, attention will be focused on striking element of the matchup. Rockhold sees the upcoming title fight much the same way.

“The only way Vitor wins is if he catches (Weidman) really early,” Rockhold said. “It’s not like it’s going to be a close fight if it’s drawn out; if it goes anywhere past the third round, I’d be very surprised. I think Chris should dominate him, slow him down, and finish him in the later rounds.”

In the meantime, the ex-Strikeforce champ will wait his turn.

For complete coverage of UFC on FOX 15, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show, available on SiriusXM channel 92, is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.

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