UFC on FOX 15's Luke Rockhold: I believe I'm the best fighter in the world

Former Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold has long been considered one of the best 185-pound fighters in the world. By the time this year is over, the 30-year-old aims to prove he’s the absolute premier fighter in his division.

“You always think and you always dream,” Rockhold told MMAjunkie. “I know what I want, and I believe it’s ahead of me. I believe I’m the best fighter in the world.”

Rockhold (13-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) can take a huge step toward proving that claim when he faces Lyoto Machida (22-5 MMA, 14-5 UFC) in the main event of UFC on FOX 15, which takes place April 18 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

With Rockhold sitting at No. 3 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA middleweight rankings and Machida just behind at No. 5, the contest features two of the absolute best in the class. While Rockhold boasts three straight “Fight Night” bonuses, proving his worth as a fighter, Machida has also made a career out of his unique, difficult-to-manage approach to fighting.

Rockhold takes a cerebral approach to MMA, and as he breaks down the matchup, he recognizes the strengths of his opponents but doesn’t believe it’s anything he can’t overcome.

“He’s able to frustrate people,” Rockhold said of Machida, as “The Dragon” also conducted interviews just a few feet away. “He’s able to use his footwork. He’s very quick. He moves around and he frustrates people, and they get overanxious and try to attack. I’ve just got to stay within myself. There’s not secret. He’s right behind you. He’s listening.

“I’m going to hunt him down. … I’m going to put him in a bad space and make him fight my fight. I’m going to make him thing about everything I’m going to do.

“I think I’m better than him everywhere. It’s as different stylistic matchup. He hasn’t fought a southpaw like me that can hit hard like me, kick hard, kick with him, punch with him – I can do everything, and I believe I can do everything better.”

UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman meets top contender Vitor Belfort meet just five weeks after Rockhold vs. Machida, and the winners of those two fights are expected to meet with the title on the line.

There are other potential options, as well, such as No 4 Ronaldo “Jacare Souza and No. 8 Yoel Romero, who also fight on April 18. But Rockhold doesn’t believe that fight will prove an issue.

For Rockhold, to borrow a phrase from recent UFC promotion, his time is now.

“This is what it is,” Rockhold said. “People can talk, but there’s nothing left after this for me except for the title.”

To hear more from Rockhold on the Machida matchup and why believes a title fight comes next, check out the video above.

And for more on UFC on FOX 15, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.