The MMA community loves its rumors. While some of them become legends, the rest simply fade away. One such story that became a legend in the UFC locker room is that the lightweight king, Islam Makhachev, sparred and submitted former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold. This is an interesting bit of information that was revealed by their AKA teammate Daniel Cormier. But now, it seems Rockhold wants revenge against ‘DC’ for spilling the beans.

So how has the former UFC fighter planned his revenge? Well, in a recent interview, Rockhold revealed the true success mantra behind Daniel Cormier’s becoming so famous on TV. So, what is it? Well, it’s the fact that the former UFC Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champion knows how to lie really well. If Rockhold is to be believed, he might always be lying through his teeth every time he is on camera.

During his latest appearance on the JAXXON Podcast, Luke Rockhold was asked about his sparring sessions with Islam Makhachev and if the Russian fighter actually submitted him. To this, the former middleweight champion revealed that no such incident ever took place. In fact, his sparring partner ‘DC’ made all that up. So when the interviewers asked him to FaceTime Cormier to confirm the rumor, he revealed Daniel Cormier’s habit of lying. “No. Dude, Daniel Cormier is the biggest liar. How do you think he makes good TV? Because he just lies his way through TV. One thing that Daniel would always say, ‘If you ain’t cheating, you ain’t trying.'”

Well, even if it is false, the rumor did give Islam Makhachev fans a story to enjoy for a long time. As for Cormier’s alleged ability to lie, it looks like the mantra is working for the former UFC Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champion since he has found major success on both YouTube and TV. But how true is Rockhold’s claim? What did Islam Makhachev have to share about his sparring session with the former middleweight champion?

Islam Makhachev reveals his side of the tale, and a Michael Jordan comparison

According to the current UFC lightweight kingpin, he had a very one-sided sparring session with the former middleweight champion. Makhachev threw around Rockhold so much so that the middleweight even compared him with Michael Jordan. During an interview with RT Sport back in 2021, he revealed that coach Mendez once asked him to spar with Rockhold ahead of his fight against Lyoto Machida due to him being a southpaw just like Rockhold’s future opponent.

However, little did the 40-year-old know then that the young Makhachev would manhandle him on the mat. Makhchev revealed, “I don’t remember a single case where I failed to do a judo double leg takedown on him. It was more than one or two, five or ten times, much more.” Embarrassed, Rockhold then had another sparring session with him to prove that he could avoid his throws. However, he failed to do so once again.

Makhachev added, “So he comes in for another sparring, gives me small gloves, and says today you won’t throw me. So the sparring starts, and I throw him again, and he is in the air, truly upset and already shouting loud. Then he said, “You are like Jordan in basketball in terms of those throws.’ But those were hard sparring sessions for me.”

Well, it seems like Makhachev rag-dolled Rockhold, despite the difference in their weight classes. Now that’s different from submitting him. But what do you think? Who is telling the truth? Did the Dagestani tap the Amercian? Let us know in the comments.