Luke Rockhold Says Robert Whittaker Is The Real UFC Middleweight Champion

Former UFC Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold returned to action at UFC Fight Night Pittsburgh and earned a second round submission win over David Branch.

While Michael Bisping currently holds the UFC Middleweight Title, the former champion says interim middleweight champion Robert Whittaker is the real title holder.

“Whittaker is definitely an interesting fight,” Rockhold told MMA Junkie. “I think he’s the true champion right now – the man who fights the fights that count, other than some poser up there running away with the belt.”

Whittaker became the interim middleweight champion at UFC 213, but he has yet to defend the gold due to an injury.

Rockhold may not care much about the middleweight title in the future because he may be moving up to the light heavyweight division.

“I’ll fight light heavyweight,” Rockhold said. “The weight cut was rough. I’m not going to lie, it always is. … I’d love to go to light heavyweight. I’d do really well. In the gym, it’s more natural for me. I think I could do things. But ‘DC’ is obviously the man in the division right now. I’m not going up until he gets out. If he goes up or he retires, you can damn well guarantee I’m coming up. I have business to do here first.”

The fight didn’t layout a time frame as to when the move to the light heavyweight division may happen.