Jimi Manuwa Would Throw Hands With Luke Rockhold “in a Heartbeat”

Not long ago, Jimi Manuwa reported that he’s not happy with retirement and wants to fight again. Well, Luke Rockhold recently indicated he’s also thinking about re-entering the Octagon, and Manuwa would love to welcome him.

Manuwa would fight Rockhold in a “heartbeat”

After Manuwa was viciously KO’d by Aleksandar Rakic last June, the “Poster Boy” announced he was walking away from fighting. The loss was the feared slugger’s, fourth straight.

More recently, however, Manuwa has said he’s planning to fight again.

Unlike Manuwa, Rockhold never announced he was retiring, but he did say he was no longer passionate about fighting. That’s why Rockhold made headlines recently, when he reported he “might” be getting the “itch” to fight again

As a result of the above, while talking to MMA Junkie recently, Manuwa said this.

“I’d fight Rockhold in a heartbeat like I would everyone else, and I’ve shown that in my career,” Manuwa said.

“Luke is a great fighter, former Strikeforce and UFC Champ. We both retired and have the itch to come back, so why not?”

On paper, this has the makings of a great fight. But, when Rockhold was taking about fighting again recently, he mentioned the likes of Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman as possible opponents.

So it’s not clear if he’s thinking about fighting at light-heavyweight again.

Manuwa discusses training in the midst of the pandemic

Rockhold aside, Manuwa’s preparation for a comeback have been impacted by the pandemic. While talking about his training, and his plans for his return, the 40-year-old said this.

“With this coronavirus, who knows when things are going to get back to normal,” Manuwa said. “All I’ve asked for is the gyms to be back open, so let’s see what happens.

I really got back into my training, especially my boxing just before the virus hit, and it’s affected me the same as everyone else, but I’ve been getting into my home workouts and staying in shape.

“I’m training to be a better fighter and concentrate on things I should have been doing, which I wasn’t in camp.

Now (that) I’ve had time to sit down and evaluate my training and the mistakes I made throughout my career, I can focus on becoming a more complete fighter.”

“…I’d like to get some of my losses back for starters, but at this moment I’m just taking it a day at a time and enjoying training, and getting better with one eye on the division.”

It will be interesting to see when and who Manuwa faces in his first bout back. As it stands right now, it’s not clear when fighters currently located in Europe will return to the Octagon.