Luke Rockhold training in Florida for David Branch fight – ‘AKA will always be my home’

Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold is making a pretty big change ahead of his main event showdown with David Branch at UFC Fight Night 116 on Sept. 16 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a result of multiple injuries to Rockhold’s current gym, American Kickboxing Academy, the California native will be training in Florida leading up to his next bout.

Rockhold, who will now prepare for Branch under the close watch of striking guru Henri Hooft, recently revealed his training camp plans via Instagram:

“American Kickboxing Academy will always be my home,” Rockhold wrote. “Due to the injuries and inactivity to our key guys. My team and I have decided it best I prepare for this fight in Florida. All the usual suspects will be in my corner with the addition of @henrihooft . I’d like to thank Henri, Kami Barzini, Greg Jones and all my teammates here in Florida for helping me prepare for this fight. September 16th we ride.”

Rockhold, 32, hasn’t competed since losing his middleweight title to current champion Michael Bisping at UFC 199 last year. He’s in desperate need of a victory if he wishes to stay afloat at 185 pounds and push towards a title shot in 2018.

Rockhold has trained exclusively with AKA in the past so it will be interesting to see how he responds inside of the cage to a change in location and coach. At this point, considering the unpredictable nature of AKA and its injuries, Rockhold is presumably making the right choice for this camp.

For more UFC Fight Night 116 fight card news click here.

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Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold is making a pretty big change ahead of his main event showdown with David Branch at UFC Fight Night 116 on Sept. 16 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a result of multiple injuries to Rockhold’s current gym, American Kickboxing Academy, the California native will be training in Florida leading up to his next bout.

Rockhold, who will now prepare for Branch under the close watch of striking guru Henri Hooft, recently revealed his training camp plans via Instagram:

“American Kickboxing Academy will always be my home,” Rockhold wrote. “Due to the injuries and inactivity to our key guys. My team and I have decided it best I prepare for this fight in Florida. All the usual suspects will be in my corner with the addition of @henrihooft . I’d like to thank Henri, Kami Barzini, Greg Jones and all my teammates here in Florida for helping me prepare for this fight. September 16th we ride.”

Rockhold, 32, hasn’t competed since losing his middleweight title to current champion Michael Bisping at UFC 199 last year. He’s in desperate need of a victory if he wishes to stay afloat at 185 pounds and push towards a title shot in 2018.

Rockhold has trained exclusively with AKA in the past so it will be interesting to see how he responds inside of the cage to a change in location and coach. At this point, considering the unpredictable nature of AKA and its injuries, Rockhold is presumably making the right choice for this camp.

For more UFC Fight Night 116 fight card news click here.

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