Video: Rockhold brutally KO’d by Blachowicz in LHW debut

Luke Rockhold’s light heavyweight debut went badly.

Luke Rockhold moved up to light heavyweight at UFC 239, and the former middleweight champ’s debut went badly for him. Jan Blachowicz hurt him at the end of the first round, and early in the second, he finished the job.

Watch a few clips below, including the brutal knockdown right at the bell.

Round 1 – Rockhold with three heavy body kicks right out of the gate. He shoots. He has position, but is being rebuffed by Blachowicz. He drags him down to one knee, briefly, then tries to drag a guillotine down. Nada. Big boys aren’t as easy to move around apparently. They stall out in the clinch. Blachowicz with an elbow over the top and they reset. Inside leg kick from Rockhold. Front kick. Lw kick. Blachowicz isn’t doing a ton at range. Rockhold is stepping up the kicking offense. They throw down at the horn and Blachowicz lands a punch behind the ear and a head kick at the horn! Rockhold is hurt! 10-9 Blachowicz. He stole that!

Round 2 – Blachowicz is kicking the front leg. Rockhold fires back. Rockhold shoots a double and switches to a body lock, but nothing happening. They get back up and Blachowicz catches Rockhold with a left that puts him on his ass! Another one and it’s over!

Jan Blachowicz defeated Luke Rockhold via KO (punches), 1:39 of round 2