Haunted by the ghost of Michael Bisping, Luke Rockhold aims to ‘right that wrong’ at UFC Pittsburgh

After more than a year away from action, Luke Rockhold will make his long-awaited return to mixed martial arts (MMA) when he faces off against David Branch in the main event of UFC Fight Night 116 inside PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Sat., Sept. 16, 2017.

Rockhold (15-3) hasn’t seen the inside of the cage since getting knocked out by Michael Bisping at UFC 199 back in June 2016. Injuries delayed his comeback, though a spat with the promotion and lack of suitable foes also played into his extended time on the sidelines.

Now it’s time to “right that wrong.”

“Obviously, I’m not happy about how my last fight went,” Rockhold said. “I’m ready to come back and right that wrong. I feel sharper than I’ve ever been. Mentally, physically, I feel like I’m in my prime. It’s time. It’s long overdue.”

It won’t be easy.

Branch (21-3) may not be a household name just yet, but the bulldozing Middleweight is in the midst of an 11-fight win streak and made a successful return to the Octagon at UFC 211 after winning multiple division titles under the World Series of Fighting (WSOF) banner.

Their main event will be five, five-minute rounds.

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Fight Night 116 fight card below, starting with the Fight Pass “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET, and then the remaining undercard balance on FOX Sports 1 at 8 p.m. ET, before the main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1.

To see who else is fighting at UFC Fight Night 116 click here.

After more than a year away from action, Luke Rockhold will make his long-awaited return to mixed martial arts (MMA) when he faces off against David Branch in the main event of UFC Fight Night 116 inside PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Sat., Sept. 16, 2017.

Rockhold (15-3) hasn’t seen the inside of the cage since getting knocked out by Michael Bisping at UFC 199 back in June 2016. Injuries delayed his comeback, though a spat with the promotion and lack of suitable foes also played into his extended time on the sidelines.

Now it’s time to “right that wrong.”

“Obviously, I’m not happy about how my last fight went,” Rockhold said. “I’m ready to come back and right that wrong. I feel sharper than I’ve ever been. Mentally, physically, I feel like I’m in my prime. It’s time. It’s long overdue.”

It won’t be easy.

Branch (21-3) may not be a household name just yet, but the bulldozing Middleweight is in the midst of an 11-fight win streak and made a successful return to the Octagon at UFC 211 after winning multiple division titles under the World Series of Fighting (WSOF) banner.

Their main event will be five, five-minute rounds.

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Fight Night 116 fight card below, starting with the Fight Pass “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET, and then the remaining undercard balance on FOX Sports 1 at 8 p.m. ET, before the main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1.

To see who else is fighting at UFC Fight Night 116 click here.