Luke Rockhold (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

Following his knockout loss to Yoel Romero last month, it looks like Luke Rockhold’s run at middleweight is likely over.

Rockhold was scheduled to fight middleweight champ Robert Whittaker at UFC 221, but the latter had to withdraw due to medical issues. Romero stepped in and proceeded to knock Rockhold out in round three.

Prior to the event, Rockhold reported that a move to light-heavyweight could be imminent. During the latest “MMA Hour”, the former champ had this to say, about fighting at 185 again (quote via MMA Fighting):

“I don’t see me coming back, man,” Rockhold said. “The weight cut is too much on me. As you get older, your bones get bigger. The last couple cuts have been pretty brutal on me. I had trouble regulating my body temperature and all that shit. It’s not fun. It’s not a fun cut anymore.

“I’m a different fighter at 205. That weight cut is taking a lot out of me.”

Rockhold was coming off a submission over David Branch in September, prior to facing Romero.