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Former UFC Champ Luke Rockhold Plans To Piece Up Chris Weidman in Upcoming GFL Showdown

Former UFC Champ Luke Rockhold Plans To Piece Up Chris Weidman in Upcoming GFL Showdown Luke Rockhold plans on piecing up Chris Weidman when the two former UFC middleweight champions run it back under…

Luke Rockhold plans on piecing up Chris Weidman when the two former UFC middleweight champions run it back under the Global Fight League banner.

10 years after Rockhold TKO’d Weidman at UFC 194, the two are set to run it back sometime this year as part of the GFL, a team-based MMA organization that made waves with its first-ever live draft in January. A slew of former UFC stars were announced to be part of the promotion, including Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua, Yoel Romero, Urijah Faber, Paige VanZant, Junior dos Santos, and Tony Ferguson.

Among them was Rockhold and Weidman, who declared himself for the GLF draft days after announcing his retirement from MMA during the UFC 311 weigh-in show.

Speaking about his long-awaited rematch with the ‘All American’ during an appearance on the JAXXON podcast with Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Rockhold slammed Weidman’s last appearance inside the Octagon and offered a bit of prediction for the rematch.

“I just watched Chris versus Eric Anders’ last fight in the UFC, and Chris just doesn’t—he’s sloppier than ever. I mean, he still dropped Anders with a good shot, a good left. It was kind of surprising, but I don’t know… I’m going to piece him up.”

No official date has been announced for Rockhold vs. Weidman, or any GFL for that matter.

Will Weidman avenge his decade-old loss to Luke Rockhold?

Rockhold’s victory over Weidman in 2015 snapped the latter’s 11-fight win streak and relieved him of his role as the UFC middleweight champion. ‘All American’ was never quite the same following the loss, dropping four of his next six bouts before exiting the UFC altogether.

Rockhold ended up losing the middleweight title six months later to Michael Bisping at UFC 199. He bounced back with a win over David Branch but came up short in his next two outings and, like Weidman, exited the promotion.

Chris Weidman vs. Luke Rockhold 2, Yoel Romero vs. ‘Shogun’ Rua Announced By Global Fight League

A number of veterans have their first outings under the Global Fight League (GFL) banner confirmed, and the opening matchups include a rematch between former UFC middleweight champions Chris Weidman and Luke Rockhold. After years of preparation, the GFL is set to stage events for the first time this coming April, as the promotion looks […]

After years of preparation, the GFL is set to stage events for the first time this coming April, as the promotion looks to succeed in the fight game with a team-based format and season structure. 15 cards are planned up until August, after which two playoff events and one final will take place before the year’s end.

Following the release of the six city teams, as well as a manager and head coach for each, 120 fighters were picked as part of the inaugural draft last month. And while little is known about dates and venues for the first events in April, the matchups have begun to roll out.

The official GFL social media account announced the first fight on Thursday. As expected after Luke Rockhold was traded from Team Dubai to Team Los Angeles, the Californian will run it back with Team New York’s Weidman, a fellow former UFC middleweight champion.

Our first confirmed matchup:

The All-American @chrisweidman takes on @LukeRockhold in a highly anticipated rematch between 2 former champions! pic.twitter.com/pZeOfTWJHx

— Global Fight League (@mmagfl) February 13, 2025

The pair first collided way back in 2015, with Rockhold emerging victorious from the Fight of the Night at UFC 194 after stopping the then-defending champ in round four.

Rockhold, who was also the last 185-pound titleholder in Strikeforce, has competed just once in MMA since 2019. After consecutive knockout losses to Yoel Romero and Jan B?achowicz, the 40-year-old memorably bowed out of the UFC in defeat against Paulo Costa. He’s since gone 1-1 away from MMA, losing to Mike Perry in BKFC and stopping Joe Schilling under the Karate Combat banner.

Weidman, meanwhile, initially appeared to announce his retirement from the sport last month but was quickly announced as the GFL’s latest big-name signing. The Baldwin native has had his hand raised once in three fights since returning from a broken leg. Weidman was most recently finished by Eryk Anders at UFC 309 last November.

The rematch between Rockhold and Weidman wasn’t the only confirmed first-round matchup, with the GFL also revealing a clash between Team Miami’s Yoel Romero and Maurício “Shogun” Rua of Team São Paulo.

The inclusion of Rua was among many that raised concerns in the MMA community. The 43-year-old looked a shadow of his former self when he was knocked out by Ihor Potieria in January 2023. Despite the retirement that followed that fight being widely supported, the former UFC and PRIDE standout now has Romero’s power to deal with.

While four years older than Rua, the game doesn’t appear to have left “Soldier of God” as of yet. Since a loss in his Bellator debut, the Cuban has won three out of four fights in the cage, most recently defeating fellow former UFC title challenger Thiago Santos under the PFL banner last February.

Luke Rockhold Slams Sean Strickland For ‘B*tching Out’ After Nose Break vs. Dricus Du Plessis At UFC 312

Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland continues to be the recipient of criticism for his latest performance. Strickland fell to a 1-2 record since winning the gold in August 2023 this past weekend. His memorable title win over Israel Adesanya was quickly followed by the end of his reign courtesy of Dricus Du Plessis 13 […]

Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland continues to be the recipient of criticism for his latest performance.

Strickland fell to a 1-2 record since winning the gold in August 2023 this past weekend. His memorable title win over Israel Adesanya was quickly followed by the end of his reign courtesy of Dricus Du Plessis 13 months ago, and the South African once again got the better of the polarizing American on Saturday.

The pair ran it back Down Under in Sydney, Australia, headlining the UFC 312 pay-per-view. Strickland didn’t come close to redemption, instead suffering a lopsided decision defeat at the hands of “Stillknocks,” whose punches even resulted in a badly broken nose for the challenger.

During an appearance on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, another ex-UFC middleweight champ in Luke Rockhold gave his assessment of Strickland’s display.

Like many in the MMA community, the 40-year-old was not impressed — to say the least…

“If someone breaks your nose, you gotta fight like a f*cking man and sack up,” Rockhold said. “This motherf*cker talks such a big game and then he b*tches out and basically quits in a fight after he breaks his nose.

“When does (Strickland) ever f*cking put his ass on the line and f*cking bite down and really go for it through a whole process of a fight, not just the last 10 seconds of a round? Look at him out there,” Rockhold added.

Strickland has long faced heavy flak for his fight style, which sees a low-aggression approach follow fight weeks that usually involve proclamations of an impending bloody “war.”

The likes of Demetrious Johnson have called on the former champ to adjust his style following two defeats to Du Plessis in his last three fights. Whether or not he heeds that advice remains to be seen.

Did Luke Rockhold Date Demi Lovato? Former UFC Champ Reveals All

Luke Rockhold has confirmed the brief romance he shared with pop star Demi Lovato in 2016. It had been…

Luke Rockhold has confirmed the brief romance he shared with pop star Demi Lovato in 2016. It had been heavily rumored for years that the musician and UFC champion had been an item, but now we get clarity on their situation.

Did Luke Rockhold Date Demi Lovato?

“We got tattoos,” Luke Rockhold explained about dating Demi Lovato, “We were cool for the summer. We hung out for summer,” he shared with Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, acknowledging the spontaneous nature of their relationship. In a recent interview, the former UFC Middleweight Champion reflected on their time together, describing it as a fun, carefree summer fling.

The two first met at an MMA gym in Los Angeles and made their public debut as a couple at UFC 205 in November 2016. Their relationship, though short-lived, was marked by a memorable gesture, matching smiley-face tattoos on their little fingers. The tattoos, which they got early in their romance.

Luke Rockhold is a retired MMA fighter known for his striking and grappling skills and remains a prominent figure in combat sports. His achievements include being the Strikeforce Middleweight Champion and UFC Middleweight Champion after defeating Chris Weidman in 2015. Outside of MMA, Rockhold has also ventured into modeling for major brands like Ralph Lauren.

Meanwhile, Demi Lovato is an accomplished singer and actress, who gained fame early in life through roles in Camp Rock and Sonny with a Chance. She later found success in music with hits like “Skyscraper” and “Sorry Not Sorry.” Lovato is also an advocate for mental health and LGBTQ+ rights.

Despite the end of their brief relationship in 2016, both Rockhold and Lovato have expressed positive feelings about their time together, with Rockhold fondly remembering the experience as a carefree chapter of his life.

Video: Khamzat Chimaev and Luke Rockhold Throw Down In BJJ Match

UFC star Khamzat Chimaev and former middleweight titleholder Luke Rockhold clashed on the mats ahead of Chimaev’s return to…

UFC star Khamzat Chimaev and former middleweight titleholder Luke Rockhold clashed on the mats ahead of Chimaev’s return to the Octagon.

Chimaev will face former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the UFC 308 co-main event next month. He returns to the Octagon against Whittaker after the two were supposed to headline UFC Saudi Arabia earlier this summer before Chimaev withdrew due to illness.

Chimaev, despite a recent injury scare ahead of UFC 308, is looking sharp ahead of his return. He’s already shared parts of his ferocious training regimen before the event and aims to make a statement.

Khamzat Chimaev and Rockhold have trained together ahead of UFC 308. The two elite athletes squared off in a friendly Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu match in the gym, and Chimaev smothered the former champion.

Khamzat Chimaev Trains With Luke Rockhold Ahead Of UFC 308

Watch Chimaev and Rockhold’s impromptu grappling match below.

Rockhold hasn’t fought in MMA since a loss to Paulo Costa at UFC 278. After parting ways with the UFC, he competed in the Karate Combat pit and Bare Knuckle FC ring.

As for Khamzat Chimaev , he’s looking to keep his positive momentum after an unbeaten run inside the Octagon. He’s looking ahead to a middleweight comeback after defeating Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 last year.

Chimaev is inarguably one of the UFC’s most promising stars for the future of the promotion. But he’s failed to back up his talent with his activities, dealing with various health issues in recent years.

A win over Whittaker at UFC 308 could potentially be enough for Chimaev to earn a middleweight title shot. UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis is expected to face Sean Strickland for his next title defense.

Chimaev is leaving no stone unturned ahead of his highly-anticipated UFC comeback. As for Rockhold, he got to see first-hand the headaches that Chimaev deals out on the mats.

Grappling Showdown: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Luke Rockhold at UFC Gym – Video

Preparing for his return to the Octagon later this year in a rescheduled showdown with former champion, Robert Whittaker,…

Preparing for his return to the Octagon later this year in a rescheduled showdown with former champion, Robert Whittaker, unbeaten middleweight star, Khamzat Chimaev employed the help of another former division pacesetter in the form of Luke Rockhold – grappling with the Californian to prepare for UFC 308.

Chimaev, who currently holds the number eleven ranked middleweight rank, has been sidelined from action since last October, landing a close and controversial majority decision win over former welterweight champion and pound-for-pound number one ranked, Kamaru Usman.

Khamzat Chimaev calls for UFC 308 return I would like to fight for the title

And forced from a June return against the above-mentioned, Whittaker in a UFC Saudi Arabia premiere for the organization, Chimaev withdrew from the headliner with the ex-champion, due to a reported “violent” illness.

However, last week, the Chechen-born star was booked once more to take on Whittaker – upon request from the latter apparently, in the form of a UFC 308 co-main event fight in Abu Dhabi, over the course of five rounds.

Khamzat Chimaev reveals violent illness which ruled him from UFC Saudi Arabia I had headaches

Khamzat Chimaev rolls with Luke Rockhold in grappling showdown

And already beginning camp for his final quarter comeback to the Octagon, Khamzat Chimaev looks to have linked up with former undisputed UFC and Strikeforce middleweight kingpin, Rockhold – scrambling and grappling with the Santa Cruz veteran on the mats of a UFC Gym.

https://twitter.com/ChampRDS/status/1820798610008605183

For Rockhold, the former UFC middleweight champion called time on his mixed martial arts career following a decision loss to former title challenger, Paulo Costa back in 2022, ending his career in the midst of a three-fight losing run.

However, last time out, Rockhold laid waste to fellow striking star, Joe Schilling in a Karate Combat headliner back in April in the United Arab Emirates, scoring a third round knockout win over his compatriot.

Luke Rockhold blasts Sean Strickland after sparring offer he's a fake I will step on this kid

Struggling for activity in the last two years amid injury and illness, Chimaev had scored two impressive wins over both Gilbert Burns and Kevin Holland two years ago before his win over Usman, in what appears to have marked his final walk at the welterweight limit following a weight-miss blunder.

Do you think Khamzat Chimaev can beat Robert Whittaker at UFC 308?