Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold expressed his dissatisfaction with the current BMF titleholder, Charles Oliveira. Despite Oliveira’s dominant victory over Max Holloway to claim the BMF strap, Rockhold and many fans and analysts criticized his wrestling-heavy approach, arguing it failed to deliver the “banger” expected of a BMF title fight.
Some have even suggested retiring the BMF belt due to its perceived diminished purpose. However, Luke Rockhold has put forth an alternative vision.
During an appearance on the JAXXON Podcast, Rockhold proposed stripping Charles Oliveira of the BMF title. He suggested that Max Holloway and veteran MMA fighter King Green should compete for the now vacant belt. King Green is currently on a three-fight win streak, most recently submitting Jeremy Stephens in the first round at UFC 328, demonstrating that at 39, he still possesses significant fighting capability.
Rockhold articulated his reasoning, stating, “I think you strip the belt from [Charles] Oliveira and you give it back to Max [Holloway] and make you two boys fight for the real BMF belt… You [King Green] deserve that, and Oliveira doesn’t deserve it. I like Oliveira as a fighter, but you don’t fight like that and get a BMF belt. You create a BMF belt to have a real fight.”
King Green echoed the sentiment, expressing his interest in the BMF title: “I definitely got my eyes on the BMF. I want to do that.”
Luke Rockhold Suggests Stripping Oliveira, Calls for Max Holloway vs. King Green for BMF Title
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold is calling for a change in the BMF titleholder, advocating for Max Holloway to face King Green for the championship. Rockhold believes Charles Oliveira, the current BMF titleholder, did not earn the belt through an exciting performance befitting the title’s prestige, opting for a wrestling-heavy strategy against Holloway rather than a striking battle.
In a recent interview on the JAXXON Podcast, Rockhold proposed that the UFC should strip Oliveira of the BMF title and allow Max Holloway to compete against King Green for it. Green, who is currently on a three-fight winning streak, recently secured a first-round submission victory over Jeremy Stephens, proving his continued effectiveness in the cage.
“I think you strip the belt from [Charles] Oliveira and you give it back to Max [Holloway] and make you two boys fight for the real BMF belt… You [King Green] deserve that, and Oliveira doesn’t deserve it,” Rockhold stated. He further elaborated, “I like Oliveira as a fighter, but you don’t fight like that and get a BMF belt. You create a BMF belt to have a real fight.”
King Green also expressed his interest in pursuing the BMF title, saying, “I definitely got my eyes on the BMF. I want to do that.”