Rohskopf released after losing controversial short-notice UFC debut
Less than two months after making his short-notice UFC debut, lightweight prospect Max Rohskopf has been released by the promotion. Huh?
Many fighters have stepped up on short-notice to make their UFC debuts and, regardless of the result, had another chance to compete in the Octagon with a full training camp at some point in the future. But, most fighters don’t have a very public and controversial end to their fight, in which they ask their corner to “call it off”, and the corner still sends their fighter out for the following round.
“I’ve done this my whole life. I’ve self-boycotted myself. Even when I was wrestling in high school, I was the best in the state and ended up getting third because I self-boycotted myself. I was one of the best guys in the country in college, was never an All-American when it counted, because I was telling myself that, for whatever reason, I don’t deserve it.
“That’s exactly what I did in my fight with Austin. Sh-t got hard, and I looked at my coach and said, ‘I don’t want to be here anymore.’ Not because I didn’t want to be there, but because I didn’t think I deserved to be there.” – Rohskopf on his UFC debut, via Bloody Elbow
The release feels a bit harsh, on the surface. But when you hear that a fighter doesn’t want to be in the cage, for any reason, much less a lack of confidence, it’s going to get the boss’ attention. In the end, this could end up being great for his career.
If Rohskopf, at 25-years-old with a 5-1 professional record, wants to keep his fighting career going, some time competing at smaller promotions, developing his game, and building his confidence seems like the right move.
The bright lights and high-level of competition in the UFC isn’t always for everyone. Especially up-and-coming prospects. But don’t be surprised if Rohskopf is back in the promotion at some point in the future.
