Last week, UFC veteran Luke Rockhold made headlines once again when, during an appearance on the JAXXON podcast, he accused his former teammate from American Kickboxing Academy, Daniel Cormier, of being “a liar” and selling “fake stories” to make his show more entertaining. ‘DC’ had publicly revealed a long-hidden locker room secret, claiming that Islam Makhachev had once submitted the former middleweight champion during a casual gym roll years ago.

While Daniel Cormier has remained silent on the matter, it has sparked debate and raised eyebrows among fans—does the two-division champion really “lie his way through it”? Despite ‘DC’s’ silence, their former teammate Josh ‘The Punk’ Thomson, along with co-host ‘Big’ John McCarthy, discussed the situation on their podcast, WEIGHING IN, on YouTube.

In a recent discussion, John McCarthy voiced his doubts about Luke Rockhold’s claims, saying, “That’s a hard one to believe.” He went on to explain his skepticism, adding, “There has got to be some point in training where he was giving a position, or starting off in a bad position for Islam, and Islam was working a technique, and he taps out – that’s being submitted, you know? Sorry. That’s just the way training is, and if you’re worried about it, this is not the sport for you. Tapping out in training is the best and smartest thing you can do, okay? Because that keeps you from being hurt and it helps your teammates get better, and all of it. So, when he says that, I’m not quite buying it.”

The California native, a skilled grappler and BJJ black belt under Leandro Viera was once a dominant force in the UFC middleweight division. His MMA journey began in Strikeforce, where he held the division championship. However, after the UFC acquired Strikeforce, Luke Rockhold faced tough competition in the UFC middleweight division, leaving behind a short but memorable legacy. Though he’s since stepped away from MMA, the former middleweight champion still participates in karate and other grappling events.

While neither Islam Makhachev nor AKA head coach, Javier Mendez, has confirmed the story, one thing is clear: the rumor has provided fans of Team Khabib and the Dagestani native with an intriguing tale to enjoy. Similarly, Daniel Cormier, who has transitioned from a successful MMA career to a prominent presence on YouTube and TV, continues to spark debate. Despite Luke Rockhold’s assertion that the reigning champion never submitted him, the question remains: did Islam Makhachev leave a lasting impression on the California native? Let’s hear what Rockhold himself has to say.

Luke Rockhold previously denied Makhachev dominating him, as per Daniel Cormier’s claims

Since stepping into the octagon, Islam Makhachev has been hailed as “Khabib 2.0,” a worthy successor to his mentor and teammate, Khabib Nurmagomedov. The reigning champion has steadily built his legacy, inching closer to surpassing the accomplishments of the retired lightweight legend. While Luke Rockhold has denied the rumors that Makhachev ever “rag-dolled” him, he hasn’t shied away from acknowledging the unique skillset that sets the Dagestani prospect apart—something the former middleweight star experienced firsthand during their training sessions.

In an interview with Ariel Helwani years ago, the former middleweight champion shared a candid account of sparring with Islam Makhachev. Luke Rockhold chuckled as he said, “I don’t know what’s going on with it. Rag-dolled me? He did throw me. I’m not gonna lie.” He elaborated, “Back in 2015, when I was preparing to fight [Lyoto] Machida, I trained with him [Makhachev]. He was this fresh-faced 155-pounder, new to the team. During a light sparring session, I underestimated him. He hit me with a massive head-and-arm throw. He’s got some slick moves, no doubt. Ragdoll? Not quite. But he did catch me off guard and threw me a couple of times.”

What’s your opinion on the locker room story involving Islam Makhachev and Luke Rockhold, as revealed by Daniel Cormier? Did ‘DC’ exaggerate the tale to elevate his YouTube and TV shows, or is the former middleweight star’s denial of being submitted by the Dagestani standout truthful? Ultimately, the only person who can settle the debate is the reigning champion himself. Stay tuned for updates.