Luke Rockhold Discusses Interest in Fighting Dillon Danis or Mike Perry in MMA

Ahead of his RAF 13 freestyle wrestling match with current UFC middleweight Joe Pyfer, former UFC middleweight champion has discussed the potential of fighting either Dillon Danis or former foe, Mike Perry, in an MMA bout in the future.

Rockhold hasn't competed in MMA since he extended his losing streak to three straight when he lost to Paulo Costa at UFC 278 in 2022. With that being said, he's been active in various combat sports.

He's competed in a bare-knuckle boxing match with Mike Perry, suffering a brutal loss via retirement after 1:!5 of round two. He took another brutal loss at the hands of Darren Till in the headline slot of a Misfits boxing card in 2025. The Gorilla knocked Rockhold out cold in that fight, which is the last time we've seen Rockhold in the public eye in a fighting arena.

It isn't all doom and gloom for Rockhold fans post-UFC, however. He competed against and beat Joe Schilling in a Karate Combat match in 2024.

This Friday, he meets Joe Pyfer in a freestyle wrestling match at RAF 13, which is headlined by Colby Covington and Belal Muhammad. The co-main event features another former UFC middleweight champion, Khamzat Chimaev facing off against Gilbert Burns.

Luke Rockhold Open to MMA Return

Discussing Scott Coker's new MMA promotion. Although he originally refuted any interest in returning to MMA, showing just an interest in fighting in a ring, he did say, "There would only be a few, only a couple of fights that I'd like. Mike Perry in MMA would be fun; I'd love to whip his little ass. Dillon Danis, I'd love to whip his ass too. That's probably the only two people I'd fight in MMA".

With that being said, he did say, "No, I love Mike , but I want you back, I want you back Mike", alluding to that bare-knuckle loss.

Would you like to see Luke Rockhold return to MMA?