Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold made a successful return to combat sports earlier today (Sat., April 20, 2024) at Karate Combat 45 from Dubai, U.A.E., stopping veteran kickboxer Joe Schilling with a nasty third-round knockout (punches).
This was a bizarre booking to say the least, but one that sparked the interest of mixed martial arts (MMA) who remember just how good Rockhold was. The former UFC champion hasn’t captured a professional win in combat sports since a TKO victory over David Branch all the way back in 2017. This includes a three-fight losing skid to end his UFC career and a failed attempt to defeat Mike Perry in bareknuckle boxing.
On Saturday, Rockhold dusted the gloves off for a matchup with Schilling at Karate Combat 45. By taking away Rockhold’s ability to grapple the playing field was more or less even. Schilling is certainly a shell of his former self, but he can still crack. It was going to be an interesting watch for fight fans.
While the action was back-and-forth for the majority of the main event scrap it was Rockhold who pulled through with the finishing blow. He connected on a huge right hook in the third round that connected flush and dropped Schilling where he stood. Rockhold followed up with a few ground-and-pound shots before the referee peeled him off.
Check it out below:
LUKE ROCKHOLD FINISHES JOE SCHILLING AT #KarateCombat45
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) April 20, 2024
Clean right hook from Luke Rockhold to finish Schilling, followed by some GNP #KC45 pic.twitter.com/HrcdEW0gT4
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) April 20, 2024
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