Luke Rockhold and Francis Carmont interested in UFC 168 showdown

While Luke Rockhold was forced to withdraw from Saturday’s UFC 166 event due to an injury, the former Strikeforce champion is nearly healthy and is gunning for a fight with Francis Carmont before year’s end.

According to a report on Wednesday’s edition of FOX Sports 1's “UFC Tonight,” Rockhold (10-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) expects his injured knee to be cleared for training in approximately two weeks in hopes of having a fight scheduled at UFC 168 on Dec. 28.

The 29-year-old’s was unable to meet Tim Boetsch in Houston, but the ideal opponent for his return to the cage for the year-end pay-per-view event is none other than Carmont (22-7 MMA, 6-0 UFC).

If that fails, though, the American Kickboxing Academy product also reportedly is interested in a matchup with Constantinos Philippou (12-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC).

Even though UFC officials have yet to officially comment on what’s next for either fighter, there seems to be mutual interest in the potential fight. “Limitless” took to social media to respond to Rockhold’s request.

“Luke Rockhold wants to fight me,” Carmont wrote on his official Twitter account. “He is the champion of Strikeforce, I’m ready, let’s go.”

Rockhold then issued a response, taking a shot Carmont’s teammate, UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, and his recent fashion choice: “lets make a deal. If I beat you, GSP can never wear that little camo hat again?”

Despite the fact Carmont is on a six-fight UFC winning streak while Rockhold suffered a highlight-reel knockout loss to Vitor Belfort in his lone UFC appearance, the matchup is logical in terms of rankings.

According to the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com MMA middleweight rankings, Rockhold is the No. 6 ranked 185-pound fighters on the planet. Carmont, on the other hand, sits right on the cusp at the No. 10 spot and would relish the opportunity to move up against a familiar name.

Before anything happens, though, physicians must clear Rockhold to train.

If all parties are healthy, the potential middleweight contest would make for a welcomed additional to the UFC’s year-end extravaganza, which featured a heavily anticipated headliner and rematch between 185-pound champion Chris Weidman and Anderson Silva.

For more on UFC 168, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Luke Rockhold)