Rockhold eyes Weidman rematch in UFC return

Luke Rockhold is starting to think about some names he'd like to face in his UFC return.

Rockhold announced earlier this week that he plans to continue his MMA career, and the former middleweight champion said he's interested in a rematch against Chris Weidman, whom he beat in 2015 to win the belt.

"I'm looking at whoever's available in the current climate of when I'm ready," Rockhold told Submission Radio. "Chris Weidman seems to think he's back in business. I beg to differ. He's always wanted to run it back, and I wouldn't mind sending him back."

Weidman returned to the win column in last weekend's UFC Fight Night card, beating Omari Akhmedov via unanimous decision. It was his first victory since 2017, but Rockhold wasn't impressed with the 36-year-old's performance, calling it "pathetic."

"It looked like a heavyweight fight," Rockhold said. "It looked like a low-level heavyweight fight. ... I didn't like it."

Rockhold said he's aiming for a return either at the end of the year or in early 2021. He also named Darren Till and Jack Hermansson as potential opponents.

Rockhold is coming off a knockout loss to Jan Blachowicz in his 205-pound debut last summer. The 35-year-old said after the fight that he wasn't sure if he'd return to the Octagon.