Tag: Luke Rockhold

Ex-UFC star Luke Rockhold blasts Sean Strickland after sparring offer: ‘He’s a fake, I will step on that kid’

Luke Rockhold blasts Sean Strickland after sparring offer he's a fake I will step on this kidFollowing his recent call out from fellow former UFC middleweight champion, Sean Strickland, Luek Rockhold has doubled-down on his…

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

Following his recent call out from fellow former UFC middleweight champion, Sean Strickland, Luek Rockhold has doubled-down on his wish to fight the outspoken contender, labelling the polarizing striker a “fake” as well as a “fraud”.

Rockhold, a former UFC and Strikeforce middleweight gold holder, made his return to combat sports earlier this year in Dubai, landing an impressive knockout win over former kickboxing world champion, Joe Schilling under the banner of Karate Combat.

Luke Rockhold

And featuring against fellow UFC alum, Mike Perry since his exit from the organization, Rockhold made a brief outing under the scrutiny of the BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship), suffering a TKO defeat to the promotional star.

Bowing out of the Octagon following a decision loss to common-foe Paulo Costa – whom Strickland defeated last weekend at UFC 302, Rockhold has since made a stunning plea to CEO, Dana White to offer him a one-fight deal to take on Xtreme Couture staple, Strickland.

Luke Rockhold win over Alex Pereira I'll f*cking murder that motherf*cker
Mandatory Credit: Phil Lambert

Initially set to fight at UFC 268 in November 2021, weeks from the pairing, Rockhold was forced from his showdown with Strickland after suffering a herniated disc in his back.

Luke Rockhold hits back at Sean Strickland

And offering to spar the Santa Cruz veteran in a bid to settle their differences, Strickland appears to be on the hitlist of Rockhold still, who would prefer to stand opposite him in the UFC.

Sean Strickland settles fighter pay issue with UFC execs agrees to clash with Paulo Costa in June
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

“He’s (Sean Strickland) a fake little b*tch, I know who he is,” Luke Rockhold said during an appearance on the JAXXON podcast. “I don’t think he believes the sh*t he’s saying these days. He’s just spouting off – if Dana (White) gives me that hall pass, I’ll come in, I will step on that kid.”

“I sparred you [for] one round, f*cked you up and you snuck away like a b*tch, this was witnessed,” Luke Rockhold continued. “Also, we were scheduled to fight, I said ‘Hell yeah, that’s an easy paycheck,” and you pulled out a few weeks out.”

Would you like to see Luke Rockhold return to the UFC to take on Sean Strickland?

Luke Rockhold offers to make UFC return to land fight with Sean Strickland: ‘I will end this kid’s life, I guarantee’

Luke Rockhold offers to make UFC return to fight Sean Strickland I will kill this kid I guarantee itSean Strickland has fired back at Luke Rockhold after the former champ called him out. Rockhold was doing a…

Luke Rockhold offers to make UFC return to fight Sean Strickland I will kill this kid I guarantee it

Sean Strickland has fired back at Luke Rockhold after the former champ called him out.

Rockhold was doing a watch along for UFC 302 on the JAXXON PODCAST, which is hosted by Rampage Jackson. While watching Strickland vs Costa, Rockhold was frustrated with the way Strickland was fighting and called to fight the former champ and vowed to f**k him up.

“If you were Dana White would you ever want this guy fighting back for a title? I can’t stand watching this motherf****r fight. F*****g book me, sign me up Dana. I will f*****g end this kid’s life, I guarantee,” Luke Rockhold said.

Sean Strickland responds to Luke Rockhold

Rockhold and Strickland were booked to fight one another at UFC 268 in November of 2021 but Rockhold was forced out of the bout due to a herniated disc.

Luke Rockhold Mike Perry I hit hard I don't think this f*cking kid understands UFC BKFC
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

So, following Luke Rockhold’s comments, Sean Strickland took to social media to rip the former champ.

“Couple things… I sparred you 1 round, f****d you up and you snuck away like a bitch. This was witnessed Also we were scheduled to fight. I said “hell yeah that’s an easy paycheck” And you pulled out a few weeks out… Xtreme? I’ll f**k you up for fun lol,” Strickland wrote on X.

gettyimages 2155672482 612x612 1

Whether or not the UFC has any interest in bringing back Rockhold to fight in the promotion again is to be seen. But, perhaps with his newfound rivalry with Strickland, the UFC does re-sign him to make this fight.

After Sean Strickland returned to the win column at UFC 302 with a split decision win over Paulo Costa, the former champ said he will be holding out for a title shot.

Strickland lost his middleweight title by decision to Dricus Du Plessis back in January in a very close fight. Although Dana White said Strickland won, he didn’t get an immediate rematch and now after getting back in the win column, Strickland plans to hold out for a title shot.

“Time to sit and wait for a title shot……….,” Strickland wrote.

Strickland is currently 29-6 as a pro and ranked as the No. 1 contender at middleweight.

Michael Bisping welcomes trilogy fight with rival Luke Rockhold with Karate Combat: ‘I’d do it, 100 percent’

Michael Bisping welcomes trilogy fight with Luke Rockhold in Karate Combat I'd do it 100 percentMichael Bisping could be coming out of retirement to face Luke Rockhold at Karate Combat. Rockhold is coming off…

Michael Bisping welcomes trilogy fight with Luke Rockhold in Karate Combat I'd do it 100 percent

Michael Bisping could be coming out of retirement to face Luke Rockhold at Karate Combat.

Rockhold is coming off a knockout win over Joe Schilling in his Karate Combat debut over the weekend. It was a great performance from the former UFC middleweight champion, and now, Bisping says he’s interested in the trilogy match with Rockhold.

“Luke Rockhold [vs. Joe Schilling], I was doing a live to it, and everyone’s like, ‘You gotta do the trilogy.’ I’ll do Karate Kombat against Luke Rockhold. I’ll do it. I will have a trilogy with Luke Rockhold in Karate Kombat. I would love to… This is gathering momentum a little too quickly, let me see my hip doctor first and get my neck sorted. I’m joking. I’d do it. 100% I would,” Bisping said on his podcast.

Michael Bisping UFC
Mandatory Credit: Mike Roach – Zuffa LLC

Michael Bisping welcomes trilogy bout with Luke Rockhold

If Karate Combat can sign Michael Bisping and make the trilogy with Luke Rockhold, it would be a massive fight for the promotion to secure. But, whether or not Bisping can be cleared with his eye is uncertain.

Luke Rockhold shows interest in Lyoto Machida rematch

Although Michael Bisping is interested in having his trilogy with Luke Rockhold at Karate Combat, the former middleweight champion called out Lyoto Machida.

Michael Bisping, 2023, UFC
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Rockhold and Machida fought in the UFC in 2015 and Rockhold won by submission, which was the fight that got him the title shot. After his knockout over Joe Schilling, he called out Machida for his next appearance in Karate Combat.

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

“There’s only one man I wanna fight in this pit, and that’s Lyoto Machida,” Rockhold said in his post-fight interview in Dubai (via MMAFighting). “And you’re lucky because they don’t allow elbows, so no more f****** nightmares about the elbows. Bring it. Let’s see what you got, let’s see what your paychecks look like. Bring out that chequebook. Lyoto, I know you need a payday, motherf*cker. Come get it.”

Rockhold has options for his next fight as both Bisping and Machida have now expressed interest in fighting him in 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:

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?

Ex-UFC star Luke Rockhold recounts sparring fight with ‘Idiot’ Sean Strickland: ‘He was such a loud-Mouth’

Luke Rockhold hits out at idiot Sean Strickland sparring he was such a loud mouth UFCFormer undisputed middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold has recounted a prior sparring session with fellow former divisional titleholder, Sean Strickland…

Luke Rockhold hits out at idiot Sean Strickland sparring he was such a loud mouth UFC

Former undisputed middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold has recounted a prior sparring session with fellow former divisional titleholder, Sean Strickland in the aftermath of UFC 297 – describing the outspoken contender as an out-and-out “idiot”.

Rockhold, a former undisputed middleweight champion under the banner of the UFC and the now-defunct, Strikeforce promotion, has been sidelined since he retired from mixed martial arts back in 2022.

Suffering a unanimous decision loss in his return to the Octagon, Santa Cruz native, Rockhold dropped a judging loss to former title chaser, Paulo Costa in his final outing in the UFC – before confirming his retirement.

Briefly featuring under the BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship) banner, Rockhold fought fellow UFC veteran, Mike Perry back in April, suffering a second round retirement TKO loss to the Michigan native.

Luke Rockhold blasts rival, Sean Strickland

And reflecting on a prior sparring session with Strickland in the immediate aftermath of his championship loss to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297, Rockhold claimed the former was a “loud mouth” and an “idiot” – leading to a clash in the gym.

“He (Sean Strickland) was such a loud-mouth idiot,” Luke Rockhold told Rampage Jackson on the JAXXON Podcast. “Who the f*ck is this guy? I was so hung over. I was so annoyed I was like, ‘F*ck, I’m gonna get in and spar with this kid.’ I was like, ‘I can’t even take this.’”

“He’s a little tricky guy,” Luke Rockhold explained. “I went to the bathroom, I put [in] paper towel, I wrapped it around my teeth like and old school wet mouthpiece, and I was swallowing the thing, sparring him hungover. It was close round, I’d love to get him back out here again.”