Jimi Manuwa (photo via UFC/YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Recently Jimi Manuwa confirmed that he still has the desire to fight, and now that Luke Rockhold has made similar comments, “Poster Boy” is hoping to face the former champ.

Manuwa announced he was retiring last summer after he was knocked out by Aleksandar Rakic. But, more recently the British fighter reported he’s targeting a comeback. While talking to MMA Junkie about his plan to fight again, Manuwa said this.

“The love for fighting never left me,” Manuwa said. “It was more the losses and how I felt at the time (is) why I decided to retire. The love of competition still runs deep in my blood, and I know it always will because that’s how I was made as a human being.”

“With this coronavirus, who knows when things are going to get back to normal,” Manuwa said. “All I’ve asked for is the gyms to be back open, so let’s see what happens. I really got back into my training, especially my boxing just before the virus hit, and it’s affected me the same as everyone else, but I’ve been getting into my home workouts and staying in shape.

And, while discussing Rockhold’s recent comments, the 40-year-old fighter said this.

“I’d fight Rockhold in a heartbeat like I would everyone else, and I’ve shown that in my career,” Manuwa said. “Luke is a great fighter, former Strikeforce and UFC Champ. We both retired and have the itch to come back, so why not?”

Manuwa (17-6) has dropped four straight fights. The heavy-handed fighter’s last win took place in 2017 when he knocked out Corey Anderson.