Champ Luke Rockhold says he’s been battling torn MCL in camp heading into UFC 199

By Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Luke Rockhold is coming into Saturday’s UFC 199 event at less than 100%, revealing at the post-fight press conference on Thursday that he’s been battling a knee injury.

“I’ve been dealing with a knee injury – I’m not going to lie – with this whole camp,” Rockhold said (transcribed by MMAJunkie.com). “But I don’t pull out of fights. I fight through injuries; I don’t care what the circumstances are. I tore my MCL. I haven’t grappled this whole camp. I just started kicking last week.”

Despite the issue, Rockhold has no concerns about his ability to beat Michael Bisping to retain his UFC Middleweight Championship.

“I don’t need a knee. I don’t even need to walk – I’ll crawl in there and I’ll still whoop your ass,” Rockhold told Bisping. “Watch. Come try to grapple, come try to do anything. I’ve been boxing this entire camp, and that’s all I need.”

Penick’s Analysis: Rockhold being injured certainly adds something more to this fight. Between the injury and the short notice switch, there could be more opportunity for Bisping to be effective. It might not matter whatsoever, but it certainly makes things a bit more interesting.

[Photo (c) Gary A. Vasquez via USA Today Sports]

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