Rockhold reveals Romero turned down UFC Pittsburgh bout after Yoel claimed Luke wouldn’t fight him
Yoel Romero took to Twitter to say that Luke Rockhold didn’t want to fight him, but Rockhold isn’t having it.
When Luke Rockhold got booked to fight David Branch, the general reaction was one of surprise. While Branch made a name for himself in the World Series of Fighting, becoming a two division champion, his success in the UFC has been fairly limited.
Released after going 2-2 back in 2010-2011, Branch went 13-1 over the next six years before returning to the UFC this past May, where he picked up a somewhat uninspiring split decision win over Krzysztof Jotko. Fighting former UFC middleweight title holder Luke Rockhold, in his first fight back since losing to Michael Bisping last year, felt like an especially unlikely outcome from that Jotko win.
Maybe that’s what inspired Yoel Romero to take a dig at Rockhold on Twitter, suggesting the top ranked middleweight was avoiding him.
So @LukeRockhold didn't want to fight me ♂️ @bisping you're up #seeyousoonboyyyyy
— Peoples Champ (@YoelRomeroMMA) July 23, 2017
Of course, Romero is also using this as a way to create more heat for a potential bout with Michael Bisping. But whatever his motives, Rockhold didn’t take kindly to the insinuation, and even suggested that it was Romero turning down the fight.
@yoelromeromma you're the pussy that didn't wanna fight 5 rounds. September 16th was offered.
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) July 24, 2017
Romero, however, says that Rockhold turned down a fight with him during his title run. A claim that seems a bit unlikely as Rockhold’s time as champ just about perfectly overlapped with Romero’s USADA suspension.
Remember when you were champion and you said no to fight me? That was 5 rounds. Remember the last time you took the easy fight? #ynuevo pic.twitter.com/wZA0N1Q0e2
— Peoples Champ (@YoelRomeroMMA) July 24, 2017
From there, things just got a little silly.
20 days too much to wait for the guy who needed 14 months to recover from pillow hand @bisping ?? #sorrynotsorry #mrlovato
— Peoples Champ (@YoelRomeroMMA) July 24, 2017
I am FIGHTER. I am no promoter. You? Maybe model, maybe actor, maybe husband. You and @bisping same guy same eyes. Go back to hiding
— Peoples Champ (@YoelRomeroMMA) July 24, 2017
what you are is a cheater
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) July 24, 2017
Luke Rockhold vs. David Branch is expected to go down September 16th as the main event of UFC Pittsburgh. The card is also expected to feature middleweight bouts between Hector Lombard & Anthony Smith and Krzysztof Jotko & Uriah Hall. As well as a pair of welterweight contests as Kamaru Usman takes on Sergio Moraes and Thaigo Alves fights Mike Perry.