Luke Rockhold: I’m The Best Fighter In The World

Luke Rockhold will take on Lyoto Machida next month in the headliner of UFC on FOX 15. The event takes place April 18 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, and the California native is hoping to prove to everybody watching that he is the best fighter on the planet.

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

Rockhold (13-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) is currently ranked No. 4 in the division and will be hoping to position himself next in line for a title shot with a win over Machida (22-5 MMA, 14-5 UFC) who is ranked joint No. 1 alongside Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza.

Machida, a former champion at light heavyweight, has some impressive scalps on his record including wins over six former UFC champions. The only blemish on his record that didn’t come at the hands of a current or former UFC champion was a highly controversial decision loss to Phil Davis in 2013. “The Dragon” has an unorthodox fighting style that relies on counter-striking and makes him hard to hit. While aware of the threats Machida presents, Rockhold remains undaunted.

“He’s able to frustrate people,” Rockhold said. “He’s able to use his footwork. He’s very quick. He moves around and he frustrates people, and they get over-anxious and try to attack. I’ve just got to stay within myself. There’s no secret.”

Rockhold believes he has an advantage over Machida regardless of where the fight goes. He feels that he presents unique problems and that he will be able to force his opponent to fight on his terms.

“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 think about everything I’m going to do,” Rockhold said. “I think I’m better than him everywhere. It’s a different stylistic match-up. 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.

Top ranked Ronaldo Souza fights No. 8 ranked Yoel Romero on the same card and, should he win, “Jacare” will no doubt argue his case for a title shot. Rockhold though, who holds a win over Souza, insists that he will not be overlooked.

“People can talk, but there’s nothing left after this for me except for the title.”