How would Luke do at LHWT?

He said he would possibly move up if DC wasnt there. How would he do? I cringe thinking what guys like AJ would do if they touched his chin. If DC, Jones, and AJ are gone it might not be a bad idea though.

Luke seems very strong at 185, his ground game is crushing and people cant shake him off from the mount. I wonder if this strength and size advantage would carry iver to lhwt.

He'd do quite well but I think he'd get Ko'd here and there.

Luke is extremely talented for sure and has height so he wouldn’t exactly be undersized. Especially since Jones is basically removed completely at this point.

That being said his chin wouldn’t hold up imo. Even last night, that flurry Branch hit him with in the first round almost finished him. Gus or any tall strong striker can definately KO him

What would help him is DC never fighting him, Rumble retiring, Jones getting a lengthy suspension

Looses strength and size advantages in 205s. Chin becomes even more suspect. It would not be a good move.

I think he’s the best middle weight in the UFC. Whittaker & Romero are his two toughest matchups and would be great fights.

I found it interesting that the announcers continued to question Rockhold’s decision to go with the clinch game last night. He’s an outstanding grappler with perhaps the best top game in the division. He’s a great finisher once it hits the ground.

Vector, are you saying he’s a gatekeeper in the middles? Or, he’d be a gatekeeper in the LHs and heavies?

Could probably be champ of MW and LHW.

Weidman and Rockhold could make their LHW debut against each other 

SexiestManAlive - Luke is extremely talented for sure and has height so he wouldn't exactly be undersized. Especially since Jones is basically removed completely at this point.

That being said his chin wouldn’t hold up imo. Even last night, that flurry Branch hit him with in the first round almost finished him. Gus or any tall strong striker can definately KO him

What would help him is DC never fighting him, Rumble retiring, Jones getting a lengthy suspension

Maybe an improved an easier weight cut would make his chin more durable in the long run perhaps?

None the less, I still fundamentally agree with you here. Luke's striking has a lot of holes, most notably his hands and technical boxing knowledge (or rather lack thereof). I can't see him surviving more than a few minutes with someone like Gussy. He'd get merc'd. 

His chin would be an issue at LHW.

keithws2 - Looses strength and size advantages in 205s. Chin becomes even more suspect. It would not be a good move.

I think he’s the best middle weight in the UFC. Whittaker & Romero are his two toughest matchups and would be great fights.

I found it interesting that the announcers continued to question Rockhold’s decision to go with the clinch game last night. He’s an outstanding grappler with perhaps the best top game in the division. He’s a great finisher once it hits the ground.

Vector, are you saying he’s a gatekeeper in the middles? Or, he’d be a gatekeeper in the LHs and heavies?

Dude, c’mon. Whittaker is 4x the striker Rockhold could hope to be. It would be over easy. Romero is a different story, I think Luke could win that fight though.

Speaking of Whittaker though, I like his chances against anyone at 205 - he's clearly the best guy at 185 right now. Provided he's healthy, I don't see anyone besting him for a long time. The guy is a killer.

Rockhold Vs Gus would be sweet

I think guys like Gus would bust him up

Lol, he'd get killed. 

VectorWega - 
keithws2 - Looses strength and size advantages in 205s. Chin becomes even more suspect. It would not be a good move.

I think he’s the best middle weight in the UFC. Whittaker & Romero are his two toughest matchups and would be great fights.

I found it interesting that the announcers continued to question Rockhold’s decision to go with the clinch game last night. He’s an outstanding grappler with perhaps the best top game in the division. He’s a great finisher once it hits the ground.

Vector, are you saying he’s a gatekeeper in the middles? Or, he’d be a gatekeeper in the LHs and heavies?

He'll be a good gatekeeper for MW or LHW. I don't think he'd last very long at HW.

I really don’t understand the gate keeper comment at 185. He’s a title contender with a strong chance to be champ, again. Gate keepers are guys ranked in the bottom part of the top 10 not top 5.

Uhtred Ragnarson - 
keithws2 - Looses strength and size advantages in 205s. Chin becomes even more suspect. It would not be a good move.

I think he’s the best middle weight in the UFC. Whittaker & Romero are his two toughest matchups and would be great fights.

I found it interesting that the announcers continued to question Rockhold’s decision to go with the clinch game last night. He’s an outstanding grappler with perhaps the best top game in the division. He’s a great finisher once it hits the ground.

Vector, are you saying he’s a gatekeeper in the middles? Or, he’d be a gatekeeper in the LHs and heavies?

Dude, c’mon. Whittaker is 4x the striker Rockhold could hope to be. It would be over easy. Romero is a different story, I think Luke could win that fight though.

Speaking of Whittaker though, I like his chances against anyone at 205 - he's clearly the best guy at 185 right now. Provided he's healthy, I don't see anyone besting him for a long time. The guy is a killer.

Whittaker is a tough matchup. I’d say even money. If it stays on the feet, I’d go Whittaker. If it hits the mat (which is also likely), I’d go Rockhold without question.

Rockhold seems to be able to pass guards and once he passes the guard, he finishes.

In a lot of trouble with the strikers. Top LHWs are enormous. Different kettle of fish trying to get Gus & guys his size down. As soon as he reaches Manuwa level he gets slept badly imo.

SexiestManAlive - Luke is extremely talented for sure and has height so he wouldn't exactly be undersized. Especially since Jones is basically removed completely at this point.

That being said his chin wouldn’t hold up imo. Even last night, that flurry Branch hit him with in the first round almost finished him. Gus or any tall strong striker can definately KO him

What would help him is DC never fighting him, Rumble retiring, Jones getting a lengthy suspension

Pretty much he needs to stay away from the black guys in the division…Manuwa could catch him as well…Gusta and Volkov would also give him big problems…

He’d do better to stay at newt lol

Uhtred Ragnarson -
SexiestManAlive - Luke is extremely talented for sure and has height so he wouldn't exactly be undersized. Especially since Jones is basically removed completely at this point.

That being said his chin wouldn’t hold up imo. Even last night, that flurry Branch hit him with in the first round almost finished him. Gus or any tall strong striker can definately KO him

What would help him is DC never fighting him, Rumble retiring, Jones getting a lengthy suspension

Maybe an improved an easier weight cut would make his chin more durable in the long run perhaps?

None the less, I still fundamentally agree with you here. Luke's striking has a lot of holes, most notably his hands and technical boxing knowledge (or rather lack thereof). I can't see him surviving more than a few minutes with someone like Gussy. He'd get merc'd. 

Rockhold is a dangerous striker and could stop Whittaker at any point, and Rockhold is also a much better grappler than Whittaker and wouldmwost likely be able to get Whittaker down and cause a lot of damage.

Brabatross -
Uhtred Ragnarson -
SexiestManAlive - Luke is extremely talented for sure and has height so he wouldn't exactly be undersized. Especially since Jones is basically removed completely at this point.

That being said his chin wouldn’t hold up imo. Even last night, that flurry Branch hit him with in the first round almost finished him. Gus or any tall strong striker can definately KO him

What would help him is DC never fighting him, Rumble retiring, Jones getting a lengthy suspension

Maybe an improved an easier weight cut would make his chin more durable in the long run perhaps?

None the less, I still fundamentally agree with you here. Luke's striking has a lot of holes, most notably his hands and technical boxing knowledge (or rather lack thereof). I can't see him surviving more than a few minutes with someone like Gussy. He'd get merc'd. 

Rockhold is a dangerous striker and could stop Whittaker at any point, and Rockhold is also a much better grappler than Whittaker and wouldmwost likely be able to get Whittaker down and cause a lot of damage.

Dangerous striker? Are you serious? He was getting lit up last night, the guy's striking isn't improving. It's deteriorating. And if Yoel Romero (arguably the p4p best wrestler in MMA right now) had trouble taking down Whittaker - who had a busted leg - I highly doubt Rockhold will be successful in that department.

The fact of the matter is Luke wouldn't be able to take down Whittaker, and he'd be forced to stand with him. Luke's biggest issues are his inability to establish distance with his hands (see last night), and his inability to take a shot. Whittaker hits like a mack truck and explodes from the outside like no one else in MMA. He takes this easy. First or Second round, as Schwabbi says, we're going sizzler.

MR31 -

205 is not a deep division. He'd probably work his way up to the top 3 or 4... so he'd pretty much be in exact same spot he's in now.

This. He's a great fighter, but the highest level guys will give him trouble. Ouzdemir and Gus both would be VERY tough matchups for him. 

Poor striking defense. A mistake like he made last night and he goes to sleep at lwh