Thoughts on Luke Rockhold transitioning into 205 vs Jan Blachowicz

[Rebel_LioN]

So Luke obviously had tough cuts to 185 and was huge for the division. Man has great range on his kicks but has very bad defensive awareness and has a shaky chin.

He’s a very good grappler and has fight ending GnP (ask The Chris).

Jan is a cockroach of sorts, someone who is tough to finish, I think he finds Rockhold’s chin eventually.

He’s the favorite to beat Jan but I think Jan can win this.

 

[lyndon955]

If Luke is smart he'll take it to the ground and try and work Jan there

If he comes in and just tries to strike with his hands down he could well be KTFO

I'm very interested to see him at 205, he's a big guy, his kicks are pretty deadly and his top game is too, he could be a force

 

[Klaavical]

Luke is massive.

 

[BigDramaShow26]

I think he has a good matchup for him facing a guy who isnt the most explosive and powerful. He will probably be able to take him down and win with his grappling. But I think Anthony Smith brings the heat and knocks him out. Another good matchup for him would he Cory Anderson. That is who he should try and fight after to set up a Jones fight.

 

[CroKosor]

Luke the type of fighter who could beat anyone at LHW and loose to anyone at LHW.

 

[mb23100]

Im hoping he becomes a force at lhw. I like Luke. Id llove to see him vs Jones (Id have to take Jones though)

 

[WHITE ANDERSON]

luke rockhold taking so long to move up to 205 is a classic AKA screwing over AKA
DC could've been the HW GOAT but he tried to do his buddy Cain a solid
and Luke didn't fight at 205 as a favor to DC

luke has been way too big for 185 and i think the weight cut takes a lot out of him
he's clearly a talented striker and grappler, and if the move had come sooner i could see him being a real threat to Jones

at this point, i'm worried that he has taken too much damage for him to have a solid chin
maybe the easier weight cut will help with that

but what i'm really worried is that luke doesn't have the mental game to be a championship level fighter at this point - this guy sat out for a long time while he was perfectly healthy simply because he didn't like the fights/money UFC was offering him
it's no secret that luke is a rich white boy from a pampered background. he has no need to be fighting, and while he has all the physical tools, i think he is mentally done. just a cockier version of gustaffson

 

[Demogoblin]

yeah Luke Rockhold should win but after that i dont really see a future for him as a title holder though

 

[Chart69r]

The question is how much did the MW cut affect him, in particular his chin.
Also, if he has learner to keep his right hand up since left hook Larry, he should do ok.

 

[Evangelion]

I think he's easily top ten and probably top 5 but there's no way in hell he beats Jon Jones.

 

[markys00]

i know hes a big dude, but do we have any evidence he had trouble getting down to 185? some ppl can just cut massive amount of weight no problem..

anyway, its funny. i think the opportunity for him at 205 is the title shot is much easier. but getting that title is much harder. getting to jon jones should be a bit easier, but getting that title is much harder.

this is a much tougher matchup than most ppl think. i wouldnt put money on this bout. i still think rockhold wins, probably a sketchy decision.

 

[Foghorn Leghorn]

Someone tell me where they think Jan gives Rockhold trouble. I just don't see it. I think this is probably the best matchup he could have asked for at 205 in terms of ranking/likelihood of win.

 

[Rebel_LioN]

Someone tell me where they think Jan gives Rockhold trouble. I just don't see it. I think this is probably the best matchup he could have asked for at 205 in terms of ranking/likelihood of win.

Trouble?

Rockhold has terrible defense and he’s a liability to get hit hard because he does the same shit everytime gets knocked out,

Throw the right hand check hook and leaves himself open and gets whacked.

Jan has a great jab and can switch up his stance. He’s also the more durable fighter.

Rockhold needs to get this to the ground eventually if he wants to win this. And I’m aware Rock is the favorite to win this fight.

 

[Thepaintbucket]

A few years too late. LHW is thin so he might make it to the top.

 

[BoxingFan653]

I support his transition

 

[TheBrownRanger]

I just can't see Jan Blachowicz knocking anybody out unless Rockhold leaves himself open like in the Bisping fight. Blachowicz is a bit of a decision machine, even in his days as KSW champ.

Maybe I'm a bit biased though. If Luke wins, he'll probably get a shot at Jon Jones and the build up to that would be interesting due to the DC connection.

 

[Hirashin]

Luke biggest problem was losing his confidence as a result of losing his chin. Otherwise excellent fighter he was.

 

[meareiguana]

i know hes a big dude, but do we have any evidence he had trouble getting down to 185? some ppl can just cut massive amount of weight no problem..

anyway, its funny. i think the opportunity for him at 205 is the title shot is much easier. but getting that title is much harder. getting to jon jones should be a bit easier, but getting that title is much harder.

this is a much tougher matchup than most ppl think. i wouldnt put money on this bout. i still think rockhold wins, probably a sketchy decision.

Ikr! If history has taught us anything, it's to never put money on a Rockhold fight.

 

[Nate banged my mom]

To focused on other things in life. I’m happy he has other ways to make money but this seems like a Hail Mary career resurrection move IMO.

Hope he can pull it off

 

[froggyluv]

Jan is a cockroach of sorts.

"Yo man heard you called me a cockroach!"
"Wait, wut?? I..I uh...I meant it in a complimentary way"
"Oh yeah! use it in a sentence!"
"Your a cockroach of sorts, someone who is tough to finish.."
"......"