Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: Has anything changed in regards to Luke Rockhold's title hopes after beating Michael Bisping?
Nov 12, 2014 - 6:55:48 PM ROUNDTABLE: Has anything changed in regards to Luke Rockhold's title hopes after beating Michael Bisping?

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Given the ease with which Luke Rockhold's win came over Michael Bisping, has anything changed regarding his title hopes? Does he still need another win to get a shot? Why? If you think he needs another fight, should the UFC book him in a rematch with Jacare Souza, or book both against other opponents to save them both as title challengers?


RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Someone is going to have to explain to me how a top 5 middleweight defeating a mid-level gatekeeper like Michael Bisping changes anything other than the financial status of the top 5 middleweight. Rockhold did what he was supposed to as easily as he was supposed to, and since it was on Fight Pass only 42 people saw it. Nothing gained, nothing changed. Those who were calling for a Rockhold title shot will still be calling for it. Those calling for Rockhold vs. Jacare 2 (ME ME ME) will still be calling for that fight, hopefully on the same card as Weidman vs. Belfort.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Well, I still favor Jacare over Rockhold for a title shot, but I couldn't complain if Rockhold got the next title shot. I think that Jacare should get the next title shot while Rockhold is given a stay-busy fight, and if he wins that, then he gets the title shot after that. Or they could give Rockhold the next title fight and then Jacare the next one after that, assuming he wins his stay-busy fight. A rematch between Rockhold and Jacare would be great, but there's no need to force it right now.


BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I think he looks better on the title side, but his next bout is still not going to involve the title - neither a title fight or a number one contenders fight - I don't believe. I think we will see him fight Yoel Romero, but the fight won't be for a top contender; I feel the winner of that bout would still need to fight Jacare Souza or Lyoto Machida to earn a shot. Although Rockhold looks great right now, he's just outside of the title picture.


TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR

Firstly, bravo to Rockhold. The guy looked so calm and patient inside the Octagon, and picked his moment to perfection. I wasn't sure before the fight that 1) he could beat Bisping and 2) he was a real threat to the title holder. He certainly proved me wrong on both points. He's going to give any fighter in the middleweight division a very tough night.

Rockhold and Jacare Souza are both in prime position to fight for the title, though it doesn't make sense for them the fight each other, taking out a title contender. With so few contenders in the middleweight division, the UFC will want to keep them apart for now.

You could make very good arguments for both Souza and Rockhold that they should face the winner of Weidman vs. Belfort next. Timing will dictate that both fighters will have to fight at least one more time before getting the chance to fight for the title.