Luke Rockhold: Dana White 'F***** Me From The Start' | The MMA Hour

Luke Rockhold discusses his relationship with UFC president Dana White. Excerpt from Rockhold's Aug. 24, 2022 interview on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani.
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[@chrisgardiner4998]

You can hear how much he needed this for his mental health, that recognition and respect. You can see the mental pain is much worse than the physical pain for these guys. Has my total respect.

[@BR-ip5pz]

freak

[@carpeimodiem]

It's because he never kissed Dana's ring. Kept his dignity. What an absolute legend.

[@Last_Chance.]

​@Dd Dgd Bisping is a company man. that's the only reason he's not saying nothing.

[@demons1790]

It's because he's a crybaby, Dana got nothing to do with this. This guy is too arrogant and that was his downfall. He always reminds me of a spoiled mama's boy. Dana doesn't control the narrative, the fans do, when Dana sees a cashcow he would never dismiss them. Dana seems pretty good to me but he gets a lot of haters because of jealousy. Name a better MMA promoter than Dana.

[@nategomes1719]

If your a real fan you know that when he came to the ufc he was basically unknown to the ufc fan base. And he was right no one highlighted his prior achievements until he got into the mix and took the belt. I think Luke is going through things with himself and jut trying to find the best way through them. I give him a lot of respect.

[@greymuzik]

The real ones did, Strikeforce seasons was real

[@Amzyy]

There’s a big drug cheat problem in the UFC, before and still right now there’s guys finessing the system and haven’t been caught yet. Keep your head up Luke. Strikeforce and UFC champ! Nothing else to prove you’ve done it all

[@kanthony9154]

Usman down, Izzy next

[@jd-tg1ox]

Yawn

[@takoflame4948]

Izzy getting the next headshot

[@Last_Chance.]

do you have a life? I see your comments everywhere. smdh

[@Canonall]

@@Last_Chance. which means you also don't hve a life

[@ZWhiskey]

Luke should be at peace after an amazing and gritty performance like that. 🙏 thank you sir

[@SledgehammerEditing]

crazy how when he beat weidman rockhold seemed unstoppable

[@ye9122]

Yup I remember when they were doing whole documentaries for promo for Luke

[@hulkhulk5141]

Luke’s ego destroyed him😳

[@FakeAndTrolled]

It must suck to be bullied around by a guy you could kill in under a minute. It definitely happens a lot in corporate environments.

[@RyanC3ONE3]

Dana doesn’t like him and I don’t know why

[@carpeimodiem]

He never kissed Dana's ass. He had enough dignity not to beg for favors from "daddy Dana."

[@dougsmith5920]

On Twitter people were saying it’s CTE, no he’s airing out his frustration. People on the internet really say anything and think it’s valid 🤦‍♂️

[@Pluto-qw4gg]

Luke Rockhold is one of the best martial artists to grace the Rockhold household. I know that for sure.

[@rebellion7463]

😂😂

[@WitchyWagonReal]

I respect him so much more now! 🤣🤣🤣

[@DTS_I]

🤣🤣

[@Razear]

We know that Dana doesn't take too kindly to his critics, especially when it comes to fighter pay. At least he only decided to speak out at the end of his career because had he done it earlier, they would've buried him for sure.

[@DaringCreative]

“Why didn’t Dana highlight the stuff I did at the competition?” 🤦‍♂️

[@IGOBYTHENAMELOVE]

How did it feel

[@therobot1056]

The UFC wouldn't want a strikeforce champ to come in and do well... think about it

[@petermatthews2831]

The worst case of this was mousasi, he had insane skill and experience and didn't get treat like a superstar in fact the pay he was getting was shocking. If he was still there now he'd be a title challenger if not the champ. Like you've said they probably don't want to push bellator champs too much to portray them as B league fighters

[@WitchyWagonReal]

Um... that's why they bought Strikeforce, and gave nearly all their champs the opportunity to unify, and many of the SF champs had great success in the UFC... lolwut

[@WitchyWagonReal]

but just think about it! 😵....🤣

[@juanrestrepo7599]

Never gave you a chance? Says the guy that became ufc champ, got resigned over and over again in the ufc. What a whiner

[@MichaelHenkleC]

Rockhold you lost your belt to Bisping bro, what other chances you need you were a champion LMAO

[@ahumblebarb7215]

He beat Silva too. . .

[@quincyjackson7855]

To be fair, i think Luke should have stopped living his crazy lifestyle, like surfing and hitting his head on coral reefs. I think that had something to do with him getting KO'd in 2016 and forward.

[@ractorstudios]

He is pathetic

[@jdw2592]

We love you Luke

[@jak3brap10]

I thought Costa would hit him and it could be done. I was hoping he’d win but just thought maybe his chin had gone. He got wobbled early and after that he took hell and gave as much back. He went out not being KO’d but as a warrior. Respect luke, was a great champion! And will always be a champion.

[@nickh4676]

The only strike force fighter who had hype coming was was Ubereem. Cormier, Woodley, Rockhold, Cerrone, Werdum.... They all had to tune up. The only thing is, Luke got ktfod on his

[@filth6996]

Cowboy never fought in strike force

[@gcschultheis]

Ceronne was in the WEC

[@nickh4676]

@@gcschultheis ahhh same thing, still received a tune up. Forgot he came with Cruz, Faber, and Aldo

[@EpicGamers007]

I think in regards to Ubereem, the reason why he got the most recognition was when he won the K1 Grand Prix title.

[@JanoyCresva]

How about win some fights?

[@gamebred6995]

He came in as a strike force champion and he got thrown into Brazil VS TRT victor. Meanwhile Jose gets handed the belt. and everyone thinks Aldo has legacy ..... Go figure..

[@darrenmccann4448]

Sad to see someone bitter.

[@AwesomeAlexAdam]

Total Respect Sir!

[@ayoutubechannel1847]

That 360 no scope kick was epic

[@zddd3aaa]

Big respect for you my brother

[@DTS_I]

Come on Luke lol. You had many chances. You had to fight tough opponents in those many chances, don’t get me wrong, but you definitely had chances. Hell, you had 3 title fights during your stint with the promotion.

[@wjbt3]

Sus, but I shouldn't be talking 😆 I think Luke had more in him. I hope he's happy, because he'll be missed!

[@bbmma838]

Respect! 👆

[@EzekielDBarrett]

When he came over from strikeforce he fought Vitor in Brazil..Vitor who was a top contender coming off multiple title fights. That was a total path to a title fight. How is that not respect?

[@brunoaraujo1133]

Correction he fought TRT Vitor

[@user-ov1ig4qw8m]

Speak truth thats how u help the next generation he is a good guy

[@mxamiss5]

He won the ufc belt shortly after his debut and never fought outside a number one contender fight at 185 and 205 no matter if he lost or was away for years. He was always put at the front of the line. Hes a legend but this guy is in his own way psychologically. I hope he has a peaceful retirement.

[@WitchyWagonReal]

Exactly right. A whole lotta people are basically simping on him right now... "Oh, Luke! So much RESPECT! Wipe your bloody face on me, and I will spooge even more respect! RESPECT!" 🙄 It's ridiculous and revisionist history. If anything is true, he was actually over-respected... he was constantly given the benefit of the doubt and fast-tracked with prime chances, even up to this very last minute (i.e., as long as he beats a guy on a two fight losing streak, after having been KO'd the last 3 times, well obviously he deserves a TITLE SHOT!🤨 ..."but I never had a chance," riiiiiight, gimme a fkn break 🙄)!! He had plenty of chances, and took advantage of some to become champ, and blew others with his embarrassing Grade-A hubris... but to whine and re-write history like, "Dana never loved me, waaahhh" is just total fabricated nonsense. All the press conferences are recorded-- he never received anything but utmost respect and praise and opportunities in the UFC, and anyone who cares to scroll back in time can see that. All his insecurities and failures and missed opportunities are deliberate creations of his own mind and deeds. If he had beat Costa, you bet your ass he'd be selling us all a different line entirely... so he just makes up his own legend as he goes. Believe, conceive, achieve and all that... for better or worse, love him or hate him, that nutty boolsheet IS the real Luke Rockhold. He is the pro-wrestling character spirit of the UFC 🤣... and I respect him for it, duh!

[@TuckerWittenberg]

Wtf is he talking about. Like bro this stuff was 10 years ago and you’ve had multiple opportunities to get back on top and you choked

[@SuperDevmister]

Luke’s record being 16-6 is still a hell of a career he never went to double digit losses 👌

[@thefourfourfour9512]

so? double digit losses is no shame .. especially in MMA.. and especially considering some styles just edge out decisions constantly .. so a loss is a loss on paper and thats about it.. UFC fans are putrid .

[@jdogsful]

still so angry and bitter. move on luke.

[@bbmma838]

I agree it still seems like that at times, but he’s gotten better and opened up about a lot of his struggle’s. He’s still got so much he he can do with his life. I really hope he can let go of his anger and resentment’s.

[@timmyshore3755]

this has been uploaded before

[@BHRAGE]

Luke acts like he’s on something.

[@Asuma492]

He said he had alcohol and drug problems for a while. I feel like those mannerisms mind of stick with you when you abuse substances.

[@shanebluebutterfly]

This is weird

[@dannyb271tx]

That vitor fight scarred him for life...poracito

[@ossBASHA]

Luke is stuck in the past and really struggling to come with it. I hope he speaks with a sports psychologist soon to battle those demons. First of all, he has to be humble in accepting who he is and what he did and did not accomplish in the sport.

[@seanmy3884]

You are the expert

[@abseil76]

You should talk to him Freud

[@canthandleanopinion2443]

It's true its like he was accepting it and now he's back to square one.

[@ractorstudios]

For real

[@stoneyhaze9956]

Im pretty sure they never highlighted anyones strike force because they don't own strike force and they just can't go playing footage from them.

[@bragerogstad571]

I feel guilty now, I love this man

[@Jeremyramone]

last train to steroidville, jones at helm, dillashaw shoveling coal into the boiler.

[@thekidzback344]

He definitely went in hard against Paulo.. show that warrior fight in him 1000%. Rewind 7 years ago or more he would of destroyed Costa back then

[@abseil76]

Good God this guy is such a real dude. The recognition from the fans might have come late but nonetheless he's a cool dude and the moral victory is definitely his.

[@trope5105]

I can't believe I'm actually getting inspired more n more from Luke. Im at rock bottom right now, n can def take more of it in

[@theohuioiesin6519]

Rock Hold Bottom? Jokes aside. Hang in there. Ok Day at the time. But I agree. I think Luke seems like a pretty cool dude as of what I have seen recently Life sucks many times. Things don’t always change as fast as we want. But if we hang in there we become stronger and then we can cope with the same problems with much less work. So one day at the time. Don’t lose heart. (If you like the Bible or not. Matthew 6 has good advice. )

[@WitchyWagonReal]

Keep your chin up, bro. But, if I might... hey, if Luke inspires you, great-- take it where you find it. But, in the realm of being inspired by UFC fighters, there are probably some folks that might just provide you with a better value for some real substantive inspiration, especially over the long haul. Max Holloway... Brandon Moreno... heck, Leon Edwards... Julianna Pena (and Amanda, too, certainly...), Zhang Wei Li... these few come to mind immediately. Just saying, there are some seriously inspirational, really good people in this league that talk the talk and walk the walk always, everyday, as a matter of living and life... and as far as being inspirations in an example sense, you can't go wrong taking a look at some of their profiles & film, on KZbin or Fight Pass. Good luck.

[@sinipepa4583]

Thats not true, everyone knows this. He was on his way to being a star but unexpectedly lost to bisping and kept on losing. Love rockhold, but anyone who watched mma at that time knew who rockhold was, and he had a sexier style than Wideman (he had finishing highlights) The strike force guys were dominating during his prime. At the same time, we are all on the outside looking in. But as far as him saying he never got a shot in the public eye, that is false.

[@darXcore]

With his über cool KOs he's provided highlight reel material which could've used better to promote him, yes, but his chin abandoned him just when he got on top sadly.

[@yeeerrrrrrr]

Luke should start his own gym

[@Richnba1990]

He literally shook the man's at weigh ins lol he didn't say anything when the man was in his face.

[@GoldStandardd29]

Former UFC middle weight champ

[@lukeinvictus69]

crazy how luke rockhold completely turned his reputation around in 1 fight, and he didnt even win.

[@blazelightwood1637]

Luke please don't ever fight again thank you buddy

[@rebellion7463]

'It's everyone's fault but mine.' - Luke HockHold.

[@heatholderinc4961]

He had a trt exemption too

[@felixnatanael7136]

His first fight in ufc was as main event. It shows some respect I guess.

[@Wicked_R]

Exactly..ohh boo boo...poor me..

[@BoomBoom-oh1wq]

He has to let go of the last to move on 💯

[@bongoking5850]

Funny that because we all knew he came in as a champ.. we only got that info from the ufc. Out his prime about 2 or 3 fight in the ufc....Seems very butt hurt

[@thekidzback344]

Rockhold got build up nice on McGregor's undercards. He just flopped when it come to Bisping The guy who he said he picked.... I don't get why he shakes Dana hand and is all smiles with him. Especially if the guy done him wrong....

[@m0rxy_]

Steroidville well said

[@anewperspective247]

TBI is real.

[@MorAodhan]

I'm generally gutted he's hanging them up, one of the most skilled fighters of all time. We may not see another with his skill-set for a long time.

[@ecuarey]

This guy wow! He won the ufc middleweight championship. He lost the title and then fought Yoel For the interm championship and got KO’d, and that wasn’t an opportunity? Yeah, I perceive on what I see.

[@iknowilookdumbwhenisaythis5593]

I mean he did get a title shot and he did get a lot of main event fights.. Dana didnt like his personality thats for sure, but it was because he was too arrogant.

[@tcwill22092]

Luke let out all his frustrations in the fight with Paulo. Wiping his blood on Paulo was disgusting, this guy has serious demons and I can’t believe everyone is now saying he is now a good guy after years of hate. Fickle ufc fans you ruin the sport

[@user-ov1ig4qw8m]

yeah that was gross, but hes still a good guy u can tell but yes 🥵🤮 Costa has taken it well

[@HernandezProAccounting305]

Bro you had the title and lost to a one eye man, what more do you want?

[@guckertott]

Rockhold thinks he's got it all figured out. But his grip on reality is a bit tenuous.

[@reviewzall7438]

"Never gave me a chance" Literally fights in the ufc

[@tp8615]

look what happened to Mighty Mouse

[@hanoitripper1809]

This is false.. he won the belt, then his arrogance to Bisping got him KTFO..

[@toma3447]

Dana gave this dude plenty off chances. This is how a bitter washed up man sounds. His fight with Costa was awesome, he should be proud.

[@Elhesh]

Sounds like Rockhold has a case of sour grapes. He got sponsorship from high name brands. And lost to bisping because he under estimated the man. He created his own successes and failures. Can’t go blaming everyone else for this stuff. Just makes him looks like a toolbox.

[@user-ov1ig4qw8m]

hahaha ur a troller. what hes saying is true... absolutely all true more UFC fighters need to speak about it but they CANT

[@DaringCreative]

Never gave you a chance? I just watched you on a PPV my guy. Stories before the fight had you not training or sparring. Then we see you gassed in 30 seconds. Maybe YOU didn’t give yourself a chance. This is look in the mirror time Luke.

[@bobmorane2082]

Exactly never gave him a chance but sign him in the biggest mma promotion

[@parallax9]

Nonsense, Rockhold showed himself to be a douchebag on many occasions, nothing to do with Dana.

[@totalwar1970]

UFC, friends of Dana win fights. If you aint kissing his ass your going to lose. Seen this for years, fighters who Dana likes become the "worlds best". Francis and John though....despite being the best, will not be fighting. Total BS. Stipe found this out, a true great, maybe the best heavyweight ever, but when he fought Dana's buddy Daniel...he go eye poked a bunch and put on the shelf forever. You can't beat Dana and his handlers in the mob...too much money in the fight game

[@noveltwotwo8354]

Francis and Jon??????

[@noveltwotwo8354]

Francis maybe but Jon Jones????? No fighter in the UFC has had better treatment that Jon, they moved a whole card for him on 2 days notice. He has not fought in about 2 years because of him, not the UFC

[@Subbefore-di7eo]

Whoever’s reading this, I pray that whatever your going through gets better and whatever your struggling with or worrying about is going to be fine and that everyone has a fantastic day! Amen? De

[@PittheadX]

He's always a whiner

[@brunoabrantes3505]

Lost a lot of fights in a row and "Dana never gave me a chance"... Looks punch drunk to me

[@marufjaved6551]

Look at the guys he lost against .All top 5 guys in their division.

[@brunoabrantes3505]

@@marufjaved6551 exactly!!! All top ranked opponents, can't talk about not been given a chance...

[@potnoodledad9990]

He’s recently done magic mushrooms so has a renewed perspective

[@Mario-dd9dh]

Luke has always been too cocky ... that's why he got knocked out by Bisbing. That's why he got knocked out at Light-heavy weigh ... he never had any business going up in weigh, but he though he had it! If Dana never gave him a chance (and trust me I'm no fan of Dana at all) how come he got the title shot? Dana is very, very good at postponing and dragging it out if he doesn't want a fighter to get a crack at the title and he could have done the same with Luke, but Dana gave him a chance. Luke is just a typical California victim ... everything is someone else's fault! He's salty and that's it!!!

[@lazpinkgun7574]

🍄🐓

[@davo-ju6er]

always arrogant Luke , now he's having a cry , he and Weindman are both overated boring fighters IMO.

[@dicedreams]

always the victim 😖

[@poloralphfloweren]

🤡

[@lukebrown8580]

UFC - ultimate fighting crybaby

[@Ziggyvu]

How many Ufc fights have you won again?

[@gzakelijk]

Dude is a woman. One moment he's dana this dana that, shakes hands. Next thing he starts complaining and crying again. Stay consistent. Instead of switching up opinions all the time every day. Been smoking too much weed or taking too many shrooms for sure. Dude feels so sorry for himself and thats okay. But man. Changes more than a leaf from a tree.

[@swashbuckler2319]

You're such a tough guy, saying a professional combat athlete isn't manly enough

[@Mohammed-tx1ok]

@@swashbuckler2319 w comment

[@DeeDeevanGogh]

DONT CROSS THE BOSS ~ Colby Covington

[@sonottiny]

he sounds like a lil baby ,,, his attitude ruined his career. he is dislikeable