Tag: Karate Combat

Ex-UFC champ Luke Rockhold knocks out Joe Schilling in Karate Combat debut – KC 45 Highlights

MixCollage 20 Apr 2024 02 45 PM 1389Luke Rockhold made a statement in his Karate Combat debut. Taking center stage at KC 45 in Dubai, the…

MixCollage 20 Apr 2024 02 45 PM 1389

Luke Rockhold made a statement in his Karate Combat debut.

Taking center stage at KC 45 in Dubai, the former UFC middleweight champion left The Pit with a busted nose, but also an impressive win over former GLORY Kickboxing and Bellator MMA standout Joe Schilling.

Schilling came out immediately putting pressure on Rockhold and backing his opponent up against the wall. Despite controlling The Pit, Schilling offered little in the way of offense in the opening round as Rockhold attacked with his legs, repeatedly going high with the head kick and punishing Schilling’s lead leg. 

Luke Rockhold

After being trigger-shy in the first three minutes, Schilling came out swinging in the second. Rockhold was again able to use his kicks to create space and circle the outside of The Pit before scoring a brief takedown. After being separated by the referee, Rockhold took Schilling down once again, landing some solid ground-and-pound strikes.

Somewhere in the fracas, Rockhold’s nose was busted open and began pouring blood. 

As Schilling continued his pursuit near the halfway point of the third round, Rockhold landed a massive overhand right that sent ‘Stitch ’em Up’ crashing to the canvas. Rockhold followed it up with a few ground-and-pound strikes, forcing the referee to step in and call for the stoppage. 

Official Result: Luke Rockhold def. Joe Schilling via TKO 

Luke Rockhold

Check Out Highlights From Luke Rockhold vs. Joe Schilling at Karate Combat 45:

UFC veteran Sam Alvey claims fighters get paid ‘Way more than we deserve’: ‘They’re paying us more than fair’

Sam Alvey claims UFC fighters get paid way more than they deserve paid fairlyFormer UFC middleweight and light heavyweight Sam Alvey doesn’t think fighter pay is much of a problem. Alvey fought…

Sam Alvey claims UFC fighters get paid way more than they deserve paid fairly

Former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight Sam Alvey doesn’t think fighter pay is much of a problem.

Alvey fought in the UFC from 2014 until 2023 and went 10-13-1 in the promotion, but ended his tenure going 0-8-1. Despite his struggles, the UFC kept him around, which he is thankful for as he knows the promotion pays fighters more than they deserve.

Sam Alvey UFC 2
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

“The UFC pays us way more than we deserve,” Sam Alvey told Ultimate Punching (via MMAFighting). “You have some of the superstars like the [Justin] Gaethje’s and the [Max] Holloway’s and the Jon Jones’, those guys get paid what they get paid. But most of the card gets paid way more than we’re worth.”

Although some fighters have complained about the pay, Alvey isn’t one of them. Instead, he says he was treated more than fair and points ot his first win in the UFC and the compensation he got.

“My first win in the UFC was over in Australia,” Alvey said. “They flew me and my corner out there, and then they flew my opponent, his corner out there. We got off the plane, they gave us $1000, they get off the plane, give them $1000. “We did the math and by the end of our fight, the UFC probably spent $50,000 to $70,000 on our fight and didn’t make a penny off us. I mean, nobody tuned in to watch ‘Smilin’’ Sam Alvey. Nobody tuned in to watch Dylan Andrews. They still paid me $70,000, or they paid ‘us,’ to have us fight, $70,000. It’s a crazy amount. We did nothing to deserve that.”

Sam Alvey says UFC takes a bet on fighters

Sam Alvey points to several UFC fighters not becoming stars and washing out of the promotion after a couple of fights, which actually costs the UFC money.

Sam Alvey Karate Combat
Mandatory Credit: Louis Grasse/PxImages/Icon Sportswire

With that, Alvey says when fighters get to the UFC they are paid more than what they deserve as not many fans know the debuting fighters.

“They paid that with the hopes we’d become the Max Holloway’s or the Conor McGregor’s, or ‘Smilin’’ Sam, like I eventually did,” Sam Alvey continued. “But they’re putting a big bet on that in the beginning.

Sam Alvey UFC 2 1
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

“As you rise in the rankings, they pay you more and more and more. Now, people also overestimate how many people watch the UFC. We are still — as much as I have made in my career, my passion, and my love, and I’m surrounded by UFC — it is still such a small sport in the grand scheme of things.”

“The biggest event you could ever imagine, which was Conor vs. Khabib [Nurmagomedov], they fit it in the MGM, there was like 15,000 to 17,000 people there. In a mid-season worthless game, the NBA has close to 50,000 people there. It’s ridiculous to compare the sports. They’re paying us more than fair and they’re taking a big risk with every fighter they have.”

Since being released from the UFC, Alvey has been competing in Karate Combat.

Ex-UFC star Luke Rockhold signs with Karate Combat, set to fight Joe Schilling in April debut in Dubai

Luke Rockhold signs with Karate Combat set to fight Joe Schilling in April debut in DubaiFormer undisputed UFC middleweight champion continues his combat sports career outside of the Octagon following a recent venture to…

Luke Rockhold signs with Karate Combat set to fight Joe Schilling in April debut in Dubai

Former undisputed UFC middleweight champion continues his combat sports career outside of the Octagon following a recent venture to bare knuckle fighting – this time penning a deal to compete under the Karate Combat banner against kickboxing talent, Joe Schilling in an April 20. debut in Dubai.

Rockhold, a former undisputed middleweight titleholder under both the UFC and the now-defunct Strikeforce banner, has been sidelined from combat sports since he suffered a second round TKO loss to fellow Octagon alum, Mike Perry back in April of last year in his debut with BKFC.

Luke Rockhold eyes potential UFC return despite retiring it's on my terms

As for Schilling, the former Bellator MMA kickboxer and mixed martial artist has been sidelined from combat sports since a 2019 knockout loss to Tony Johnson at Bellator 229 – with his record slumping to 4-6 as a professional.

Luke Rockhold signs with Karate Combat, booked for April debut

And according to a report from MMA Junkie this Wednesday evening, Luke Rockhold will make his return to combat sports alongside Ohio striker, Joe Schilling – with the duo headlining a Karate Combat card on April 20. in Dubai. 

Making his most recent Octagon outing back in 2022, Luke Rockhold suffered his third consecutive defeat in the form of a unanimous decision loss to former title challenger, Paulo Costa, before confirming his decision to retire from MMA in the immediate aftermath.

Luke Rockhold

During his tenure with the promotion, Santa Cruz native, Rockhold landed the middleweight title with an eventual fourth round ground strikes TKO win over Chris Weidman back in 2015.

Rockhold’s most recent victory in mixed martial arts came in the form of a second round strikes to submission win over David Branch in the pair’s UFC Fight Night Pittsburg main event fight back in 2017. 

Joe Schilling stand your ground law Florida KO bar avoids lawsuit
Mandatory Credit: Bellator MMA

Back in 2013, the above-mentioned Schilling won the GLORY Kickboxing middleweight World Champion Tournament with a decision win over Russian striker ace, Artem Levin.

Who wins in their Karate Combat showdown: Luke Rockhold or Joe Schilling?

Video – BJJ ace Craig Jones lands stunning flying triangle submission of UFC star Phil Rowe against wall

Craig Jones lands stunning flying triangle win against wall in fight with UFC star Phil RoweBJJ Ace Craig Jones secured a win over UFC welterweight contender Phil Rowe last night in little over a…

Craig Jones lands stunning flying triangle win against wall in fight with UFC star Phil Rowe

BJJ Ace Craig Jones secured a win over UFC welterweight contender Phil Rowe last night in little over a minute of their submission grappling match. 

Jones added yet another notch to his belt after landing a flying triangle during Krate Combat 44 in what was part of their Pit Submission Series. Prior to their match, Craig Jones spoke to the importance of securing a finish, even if it was just to get a one up on his friend. Check out the impressive submission below. 

Craig Jones used wall to land flying triangle

“Phil Rowe faced Nicky Rod,” Jones bag via the El Segundo Podcast Clips YouTube channel. “Nicky Rod couldn’t finish him, that enticed me to do the match because I said ‘Hey if Nicky Rod couldn’t finish him and I can finish him, when I finally return to the B-Team I can say hey kiss the ring mate, the king of B-team is back’. And he’s a mid-30s cocaine and Xanax-addicted professional athlete and he submitted an opponent you couldn’t.” 

In the same video, Jones also discussed how the Pit wall could change the dynamic of the match, much like it did in his actual finish. 

“We’ll actually be in the Pit,” Jones said. “It’s actually really f*****g stirred my interest. The shape of the Pit is sick, it’s not fence wrestling – if I shoot on you and your back hits the wall, there’s a platform for you to use the wall to stay up. But the pit is an angle. If I shoot on you can’t sprawl your feet are going to hit the base of the pit. Maybe you jump your feet up the Pit and you do some young Anthony Pettis s**t but how many people are gonna do that? For me, I think if you shoot a double, there’s no ability to sprawl you can just run them into the pit wall.”

Outside of competition Jones has become a very popular figure not just in the BJJ world but has made himself in the MMA sphere. Jones has amassed a good following on social media and continues to put more time into YouTube and podcasts. 

Who would you like to see Craig Jones face next?

Video – BJJ ace Craig Jones lands stunning flying triangle submission of UFC star Phil Rowe against wall

Craig Jones lands stunning flying triangle win against wall in fight with UFC star Phil RoweBJJ Ace Craig Jones secured a win over UFC welterweight contender Phil Rowe last night in little over a…

Craig Jones lands stunning flying triangle win against wall in fight with UFC star Phil Rowe

BJJ Ace Craig Jones secured a win over UFC welterweight contender Phil Rowe last night in little over a minute of their submission grappling match. 

Jones added yet another notch to his belt after landing a flying triangle during Krate Combat 44 in what was part of their Pit Submission Series. Prior to their match, Craig Jones spoke to the importance of securing a finish, even if it was just to get a one up on his friend. Check out the impressive submission below. 

Craig Jones used wall to land flying triangle

“Phil Rowe faced Nicky Rod,” Jones bag via the El Segundo Podcast Clips YouTube channel. “Nicky Rod couldn’t finish him, that enticed me to do the match because I said ‘Hey if Nicky Rod couldn’t finish him and I can finish him, when I finally return to the B-Team I can say hey kiss the ring mate, the king of B-team is back’. And he’s a mid-30s cocaine and Xanax-addicted professional athlete and he submitted an opponent you couldn’t.” 

In the same video, Jones also discussed how the Pit wall could change the dynamic of the match, much like it did in his actual finish. 

“We’ll actually be in the Pit,” Jones said. “It’s actually really f*****g stirred my interest. The shape of the Pit is sick, it’s not fence wrestling – if I shoot on you and your back hits the wall, there’s a platform for you to use the wall to stay up. But the pit is an angle. If I shoot on you can’t sprawl your feet are going to hit the base of the pit. Maybe you jump your feet up the Pit and you do some young Anthony Pettis s**t but how many people are gonna do that? For me, I think if you shoot a double, there’s no ability to sprawl you can just run them into the pit wall.”

Outside of competition Jones has become a very popular figure not just in the BJJ world but has made himself in the MMA sphere. Jones has amassed a good following on social media and continues to put more time into YouTube and podcasts. 

Who would you like to see Craig Jones face next?

Anthony Pettis Scores Third career Victory over Ben Henderson – Karate Combat 43 (Highlights)

Anthony PettisMore than a decade removed from their lightweight title clash at UFC 164, Anthony Pettis and Benson Henderson ran…

Anthony Pettis

More than a decade removed from their lightweight title clash at UFC 164, Anthony Pettis and Benson Henderson ran it back inside The Pit at Karate Combat 43 on Friday night.

The opening round saw both fighters offer little offense as they got familiar with their surroundings. Still, the pace picked up significantly in the second round with Henderson looking to get in and out with his striking. Henderson’s game plan began paying dividends in the third as he began to control the pace of the fight and seemingly run away with it on the scorecards.

However, Pettis was far from out of it, landing a solid head kick in the fourth round, though that did not deter Henderson from staying on the attack.

In the fifth and final round, Henderson came out aggressive, pressuring Pettis to the ground and unloading a series of strikes before ‘Showtime’ was allowed back to his feet. Pettis snapped back with a big 1-2 combination that popped Henderson’s head back with 100 seconds left in the fight. As the clock winded down, both fighters began to let their fists go with Henderson once again coming out on top in the striking exchange by landing the better blows despite giving up the advantage on volume.

In a shocking turn of events, we went to a sudden death sixth round to determine the winner.

Pettis came out with a renewed sense of confidence and began targeting the body of Henderson while ‘Bendo’ was beginning to overcommit with his strikes. In the end, Pettis appeared to land the more significant blows in the sixth which was more than enough for the judges to give him the nod in a very close and somewhat controversial decision.

Official Result: Anthony Pettis def. Ben Henderson via unanimous decision

Check Out Highlights From Anthony Pettis vs. Ben Henderson at KC43 Below: