Luke Rockhold ” I want to see Anderson Silva fight the top contenders or Jon Jones” talks eventual move to light heavyweight

Are things too good to be true? If you sit back and tell yourself “this meat lovers pizza and peanut butter m&ms is the dinner of my dreams” could be an oasis of pleasure as you finish the DVR’d season of Hell on Wheels but later realize the red bag was the signet ring of doom and you are left wondering when your stomach will implode and why is Mr. Swede not dead yet? Seriously, how does that guy keep skating by?!

Away from the tale of the transcontinental railroad, we were all teased to think that the injury curse of 2012 would lay dormant after striking the Nov. 3rd card of Strikeforce; originally, it took out Frank Mir facing Daniel Cormier and now Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold has withdrawn from his title defense against Lorenz Larkin also scheduled for the night.

Similar to Thomas Durant’s failing railroad community, Strikeforce is inadvertently falling apart at the seams. Their card in September (Melendez vs. Healy) was scrapped last minute due to injury, now this card is losing ground by the day with the main and co-main event in shambles. Scott Coker will have to find his inner Cullen Bohannon and summon strength, vengeance and a sidearm to whip everyone back in shape.

Until that happens, enjoy this interview we did with Rockhold last week, where he discussed: his career, opponents, recreations and aspiring golf game which could serve as a second retirement but shared no insight on an injury…

FHTV: How is the training going for Lorenz Larkin?

Rockhold: Everything is going good, just listening to my body and all the training getting ready for it is going good. I got a lot of good guys training with me in the gym, everyone is peaking…everything is good.

FHTV: You are well rounded, Larkin has most wins by KO/TKO; what is your gameplan for him and how do you want to win?

Rockhold: Striking, I want to keep it on the feet. I am comfortable if it goes to the ground but am comfortable to keep it on my feet. I am looking to pressure him, I do not see him counter striking very much – he is not the greatest counter striker. I’m the better counter striker; I want to catch him coming in and pressure him. Otherwise, it’s no secret that he is not a world class grappler or wrestler and I believe I am. I am going to look to impose my will in those areas and win this fight the easy way.

FHTV: Do you feel Larkin is who should be getting a shot at your title right now on the Strikeforce roster?

Rockhold: We all know Jacare (Ronaldo Souza) is the toughest guy out there right now. I beat him decisively and he has gone on to win two in a row in impressive fashion. He has proven himself at this division. I think Larkin made an impressive debut at middleweight but I don’t know, you know? I don’t know. It’s not up to me to decide who I fight; I don’t turn down fights so that’s how it works

FHTV: After November, could we see you headed to the UFC in 2013?

Rockhold: I don’t think you will see me in the UFC until Strikeforce is down with business. I wish it would be sooner, I wish we could have cross promotion fights, I want it to happen but I can’t see it happening until the demise of Strikeforce.

FHTV: Do you say that as a company man or contractual obligation?

Rockhold: There are contractual agreements and I love Strikeforce, I love Showtime, I love this place but, to be the best – you need to beat the best and right now the best is Anderson Silva so that’s what I want.

FHTV: Would you go to the UFC right now, even for a non title fight?

Rockhold: I would take that fight.

FHTV: You vs. Michael Bisping?

Rockhold: He is a tough guy, there are a lot of tough guys, I would not be opposed to fighting anybody top ranked in that division, I just want to keep moving up and beat the best in the world. I feel like a good match up for anybody out there and eventually will have to fight those guys one way or the other. I might even venture out to light heavyweight, I’m not sure if I will stay at middleweight forever.

FHTV: On that topic, what are your thoughts on Anderson Silva vs. Stephan Bonnar at light heavyweight?

Rockhold: I personally want to see Silva fight the top contenders, if you are going to fight in that division, fight some of the top contenders or Jon Jones, you know? Bonnar is tough but I would like to see Silva fight in his division and always fight the top contenders. I think that Chris Weidman and Michael Bisping should really be fighting for an honest contender’s match; I think that would be good and an exciting fight.

FHTV: Looking at your friend and training partner, Daniel Cormier and his scramble to find an opponent, what does a win over Pat Barry* do for him?

*[Ed. Note: Interview conducted on 10/05/2012 – Pat Barry was rumored at time to be facing Daniel Cormier as replacement opponent]

Rockhold: What does a win over Larkin do for me, you know? I think we are in the same position with our opponents right now. We will fight whoever is in front of us, I can speak for the both of us and I know we want to beat the best and fight the best.

FHTV: As a fighter, if you could change one rule of MMA in your benefit, what would you change? As an example, soccer kicks – yes or no?

Rockhold: Tough call…soccer kicks? Do without them, to me, that is the most disrespectful and we are trying to sell this to the public and to see something like that, it is just un-necessary. I would want to see instant replay if we could.

FHTV: Would you want to be involved in officiating or judging when your career is over?

Rockhold: I am not against it but I myself am not looking to do that as part of my career. I think it would be good to see like a judge with a jiu jitsu background, a kickboxing background and a wrestling background all looking at the fight and be able to use all their knowledge for example. So many ways to look at it, different ways to approach it.

FHTV: Do you still get in the water and surf when you can?

Rockhold: When I can I will, I went out the other day and caught a few waves.

FHTV: Would you ever consider that as a profession like your brother, Matt?

Rockhold: I think I am too competitive and like the aspect of fighting and see surfing more as a recreation, so I don’t think so.

FHTV: Three pieces of advice to someone walking in off the street who wants to be a fighter?

Rockhold: Someone with no background off the street? Hmmm… get with the best team you could find, fight each fight like your last with no regrets and be confident, and no hesitation. You have to believe you can win and you can beat anybody.

FHTV: What do you feel the biggest misconception the public has with MMA?

Rockhold: I think the distinction between a low level athlete and your mainstream athletes. People don’t look at it as a real job because it’s not as mainstream.

FHTV: What do you do in your downtime to relax?

Rockhold: Golf, I love to golf and try to get out there when I can. It’s nice to hit something that does not hit you back; I want to get out to Augusta and golf with Herschel (Walker). I want to get out and play Pebble Beach, I want to work towards that, maybe as my retirement.

FHTV: So we could see you working towards a green jacket as another championship?

Rockhold: You never know!

FHTV: What is your political view of 2012 elections?

Rockhold: We are screwed either way. I am not really happy about the situation but I am going to live my life; I’m pretty bummed on both.

Fight Hub TV is very thankful to Luke and hopes he recovers quickly and get back early 2013! Follow him on Twitter!