Tag: Luke Rockhold vs. David Branch

Six Biggest Takeaways From UFC Pittsburgh

While questionable judging marred an otherwise exciting GGG vs. Canelo Alvarez boxing match in Las Vegas last night (Sat., September 16, 2017), the UFC counter-programmed with the stellar UFC Fight Night 116 card in Pittsburgh. Filled with quick and brutal knockouts and thrilling performances, UFC Fight Night 116, featuring Luke Rockhold vs. David Branch, did […]

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While questionable judging marred an otherwise exciting GGG vs. Canelo Alvarez boxing match in Las Vegas last night (Sat., September 16, 2017), the UFC counter-programmed with the stellar UFC Fight Night 116 card in Pittsburgh.

Filled with quick and brutal knockouts and thrilling performances, UFC Fight Night 116, featuring Luke Rockhold vs. David Branch, did not disappoint fight fans like GGG vs Alvarez did.

We broke down the six biggest takeaways from Saturday night’s fights, so check them out here:

6. You Can’t Sleep On Any UFC Event

Many fight fans dismissed Saturday’s card as a subpar offering from the UFC considering the stacked cards fans seem accustomed to lately.

Circumstances prevented Thiago Alves from fighting Mike “Platinum” Perry, and none of the fights on the Pittsburgh card drew much enthusiasm amongst fans.

But with eight out of 10 fights ending in a knockout or submission, it’s safe to say that fans shouldn’t have slept on this card.

Yes, it went toe-to-toe with GGG vs. Alvarez, but the end result was far more entertaining than anyone could have thought.

Moral of the story is never write off a card before it goes live. Because on paper, it could be underwhelming, but the end result could blow you away in terms of excitement.

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Luke Rockhold Feels ‘Unbeatable’ Heading Into UFC Fight Night 116

Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold hasn’t competed since being shockingly knocked out by Michael Bisping at UFC 199 in June 2016, but he still remains one of the best 185 pounders in the world. Rockhold will make his return this weekend (Sept. 16, 2017) in the main event of UFC Fight Night 116, as […]

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Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold hasn’t competed since being shockingly knocked out by Michael Bisping at UFC 199 in June 2016, but he still remains one of the best 185 pounders in the world.

Rockhold will make his return this weekend (Sept. 16, 2017) in the main event of UFC Fight Night 116, as he’s set to take on former WSOF two-division world champion David Branch.

Many were surprised at the booking when it was announced, but Rockhold has said that it was difficult to find an opponent willing to step into the cage with him. Regardless, the ex-champion says that he feels ‘unbeatable’ heading into his return bout:

“We couldn’t find the opponent (earlier this year), but we have the opponent now,” Rockhold told MMAJunkie.com. “I’m ready – more ready than ever. I’m focused. I know what I need to do and how I need to fight. Life in this game is a learning process, and I put myself in the right place.

“Mentally, physically, I’m ready to go. When I’m focused, when I’m patient, I’m unbeatable. I’m in that mindset.”

As far as Branch goes, Rockhold said that he’s a ‘game’ opponent, although he also said that the 35-year-old is not on his level:

“He’s a top-10 opponent,” Rockhold said. “I mean, I looked around – I tried to fight everybody. No one would step up. No one would sign the contract. We have an opponent: We have a top-10 guy. I’m not taking him for granted. I know what he is. He’s a game opponent, but he’s not on my level. I’ll wait for my opportunities and I’ll finish this man. … I know what he is, I know what I am, and I know what’s going to happen Saturday night.”

“He’s going to panic, he’s going to feel my power, and I don’t see this man wanting to stand with me once he feels that.”

Do you expect Rockhold to come out on top on Saturday?

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David Branch Ready To ‘Rumble’ With Luke Rockhold

Former World Series of Fighting two-division world champion David Branch has a golden opportunity in front of him. On Saturday (Sept. 16, 2017) night, Branch will headline a UFC Fight Night card in Pittsburgh, as he’s set to take on former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold in a five-round bout. If he can come out on […]

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Former World Series of Fighting two-division world champion David Branch has a golden opportunity in front of him.

On Saturday (Sept. 16, 2017) night, Branch will headline a UFC Fight Night card in Pittsburgh, as he’s set to take on former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold in a five-round bout. If he can come out on top, Branch will undoubtedly put his name into the title mix at 185 pounds.

When the fight was announced, many labeled it as a mismatch despite the fact that Rockhold hasn’t competed since June 2016 when he was shockingly knocked out by champion Michael Bisping. Branch, on the other hand, returned to the UFC last May at UFC 211 where he scored a lackluster split-decision victory over Krzystof Jotko.

Regardless, Branch said on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour that he’s ready to ‘rumble’ with Rockhold, and that he plans to win in a way that leaves no doubt in the minds of fans:

“I don’t like to think too far down the road, but the way that I want to win this fight and the way that I intend to win this fight, I think that there should be no doubt about it,” Branch said. “Because Luke was the former UFC middleweight champion. Everybody’s been saying for years, how would Branch do in the UFC? How would he do? … Okay, I won in the UFC against a top-10 guy (Jotko), that’s to answer everybody’s question.

“But now everybody is like, ‘Okay he won, but how is he going to do against an elite guy?’ What about that? Now this guy was a former champion? What the f**k else? This is a tough kid, that’s why I wanted to fight him. When I heard that I had the opportunity to fight him, I was like, ‘Hell motherf**king yes. Hell yes.’ This is the kind of fight that I f**king want to do right here and I’m going to be able to get it on, I’m going to be able to rumble with this kid because he’s going to want to bring it, and I’m going to bring it. And that’s the kind of fight that I know that he can’t beat me in.”

Do you think Branch has what it takes to score the upset, or will Rockhold simply be too much for the 35-year-old New York native?

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David Branch Promises He’ll ‘Shut Luke Rockhold’s S**t Down’

This Saturday, Luke Rockhold will be fighting for the first time since losing his middleweight belt by knockout to Michael Bisping at UFC 199. Standing in his way of redemption is former WSOF middleweight and light heavyweight champion David Branch, who has thus far made good use of his second UFC run. Branch revealed his […]

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This Saturday, Luke Rockhold will be fighting for the first time since losing his middleweight belt by knockout to Michael Bisping at UFC 199.

Standing in his way of redemption is former WSOF middleweight and light heavyweight champion David Branch, who has thus far made good use of his second UFC run.

Branch revealed his thoughts on Rockhold and his performance against Bisping leading into their upcoming main event fight in Pittsburgh this Saturday during an appearance on The MMA Hour:

“He’s going to try and come out to establish his dominance. He’s going to try and run his alpha male shit on me and I’m going to shut that shit down, obviously,”

“I think that in that fight against Bisping the motherfucker slipped up. You can’t go out there and take anybody lightly,” said David. “That’s the thing with me, I come from a different background than Luke, and I don’t have that kind of indoctrination that he does. I come from the fucking streets and I don’t take anybody lightly.”

Rockhold infamously was on the receiving end of a stone-cold knockout from Michael Bisping in a rematch of a fight he had dominated and won. Many fight fans and pundits alike are under the impression that Rockhold didn’t take “The Count” seriously, and fought with a carelessness he had yet to display in the octagon thus far.

As for his opponent, Branch was complimentary of Rockhold’s skills, but stopped short of withholding his violent intentions:

“He’s a tough opponent. I respect him enough to have trained for him the way I trained for him. And that’s the most respect that this motherfucker is going to get from me,” he explained.

“He’s not getting anymore respect. I already gave him enough respect by training the way I have. When I go in there, I am going to be very disrespectful to him.”

Do you think Rockhold will emerge victorious in his comeback fight, or will Branch spoil that party?

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Luke Rockhold: Yoel Romero Wanted To Delay It Into A Three-Round Fight

Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold hasn’t competed since last June, when he was shockingly knocked out by current titleholder Michael Bisping in the main event of UFC 199, but he’ll return to action in the main event of Sept. 16’s UFC Fight Night 116 against former WSOF (World Series of Fighting) champion David Branch. […]

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Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold hasn’t competed since last June, when he was shockingly knocked out by current titleholder Michael Bisping in the main event of UFC 199, but he’ll return to action in the main event of Sept. 16’s UFC Fight Night 116 against former WSOF (World Series of Fighting) champion David Branch.

Many were a bit surprised when Rockhold was booked against the No. 9-ranked Branch, but the ex-champion recently said that he had difficulty finding an opponent:

“Really what it comes down to is, I can’t wait anymore,” Rockhold said Monday on The MMA Hour. “I had the thought process of waiting for that fight. In June it was Anderson Silva in Rio, he wouldn’t take the fight. Then they moved onto Gegard Mousasi, couldn’t get him to sign the fight. I mean, I went to 205, to Shogun (Rua), to try to get (Fabricio) Werdum (at heavyweight). I’ve tried to get everybody I could possibly think about to get a fight that really got me up, but no one would take a fight, and now we’ve come down to David Branch was the only guy in the top-10 that would take a fight, from June to July to August to September, and it’s time.”

One opponent that seemed likely to be matched against Rockhold was fellow top contender Yoel Romero, who’s coming off of a loss to Robert Whittaker at UFC 213 last month. Rockhold, however, claimed that Romero tried to ‘delay’ the negotiations in order to land a three fight:

“I tried to get everything that made a bit of sense and no one would step up and fight,” Rockhold said. “Yoel wanted to delay and get a three-round fight as much as he could. We all know his issues with fighting a real fight.

“I wanted a fight, and like I said, the delays, I was ready to go. Yoel wanted to delay it into a three-round fight. I mean, let’s call it what it is. I was more than happy to fight Yoel. I would’ve loved the opportunity to end all the talk and shut his mouth. It’s a fight I’ll fight here shortly, I’m sure.”

What do you make of Rockhold’s comments, and how do you expect him to look when he takes on Branch next month?

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Luke Rockhold: Yoel Romero Wanted To Delay It Into A Three-Round Fight

Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold hasn’t competed since last June, when he was shockingly knocked out by current titleholder Michael Bisping in the main event of UFC 199, but he’ll return to action in the main event of Sept. 16’s UFC Fight Night 116 against former WSOF (World Series of Fighting) champion David Branch. […]

The post Luke Rockhold: Yoel Romero Wanted To Delay It Into A Three-Round Fight appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold hasn’t competed since last June, when he was shockingly knocked out by current titleholder Michael Bisping in the main event of UFC 199, but he’ll return to action in the main event of Sept. 16’s UFC Fight Night 116 against former WSOF (World Series of Fighting) champion David Branch.

Many were a bit surprised when Rockhold was booked against the No. 9-ranked Branch, but the ex-champion recently said that he had difficulty finding an opponent:

“Really what it comes down to is, I can’t wait anymore,” Rockhold said Monday on The MMA Hour. “I had the thought process of waiting for that fight. In June it was Anderson Silva in Rio, he wouldn’t take the fight. Then they moved onto Gegard Mousasi, couldn’t get him to sign the fight. I mean, I went to 205, to Shogun (Rua), to try to get (Fabricio) Werdum (at heavyweight). I’ve tried to get everybody I could possibly think about to get a fight that really got me up, but no one would take a fight, and now we’ve come down to David Branch was the only guy in the top-10 that would take a fight, from June to July to August to September, and it’s time.”

One opponent that seemed likely to be matched against Rockhold was fellow top contender Yoel Romero, who’s coming off of a loss to Robert Whittaker at UFC 213 last month. Rockhold, however, claimed that Romero tried to ‘delay’ the negotiations in order to land a three fight:

“I tried to get everything that made a bit of sense and no one would step up and fight,” Rockhold said. “Yoel wanted to delay and get a three-round fight as much as he could. We all know his issues with fighting a real fight.

“I wanted a fight, and like I said, the delays, I was ready to go. Yoel wanted to delay it into a three-round fight. I mean, let’s call it what it is. I was more than happy to fight Yoel. I would’ve loved the opportunity to end all the talk and shut his mouth. It’s a fight I’ll fight here shortly, I’m sure.”

What do you make of Rockhold’s comments, and how do you expect him to look when he takes on Branch next month?

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