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Move Over, Lorenz: Luke Rockhold Calls Out Costa Philippou, Wants Fight at ‘UFC on FOX 7?

(We’re sorry for your loss, Lorenz, but believe us when we say that we know how it feels to be passed over.)

A few hours ago, we made the foolish suggestion that once all of Strikeforce’s chosen ones made their way over to the UFC, Luke Rockhold, should finally give Lorenz Larkin the title shot he had so rightfully earned by collecting four victories in their former promotion over mostly unknowns and nearly getting beaten to death by a roided up King Mo. Rockhold has been ~~ducking him~~ nursing various injuries for months now, and we figured it would be in the champ’s best interest to put all the doubt to rest in regard to Larkin once and for all.

Which is why it makes perfect sense that Rockhold has now called out Costa Philippou and completely invalidated our work in the process. Rockhold recently spoke with MMAFighting — but only because we were totally busy doing some research at the time — and not only did he pick a potential opponent for his UFC debut, but he picked a venue as well:

I think Costa Philippou makes the most sense right now. He’s coming off a win, and I think he’s a good opponent. Let’s get it on at [UFC on FOX 7].

As you can see, Rockhold is going to need to step up his shit-talking game if he ever wants a shot at becoming the real middleweight champion. Acknowledging a potential opponents victories? Calling him “a good opponent?” Jesus, Luke, if you don’t start making name-related insults (Can’t-stand-ya Tulip-poo?) or start mocking “the dirt poor Pygmy people of Cyprus” pretty soon, it’s going to be all FX and FUEL undercards for you from here on out.

(We’re sorry for your loss, Lorenz, but believe us when we say that we know how it feels to be passed over.)

Which is why it makes perfect sense that Rockhold has now called out Costa Philippou and completely invalidated our work in the process. Rockhold recently spoke with MMAFighting – but only because we were totally busy doing some research at the time — and not only did he pick a potential opponent for his UFC debut, but he picked a venue as well:

I think Costa Philippou makes the most sense right now. He’s coming off a win, and I think he’s a good opponent. Let’s get it on at [UFC on FOX 7].

Rockhold also threw in his two cents regarding the upcoming UFC on FX 7 showdown between Michael Bisping and Vitor Belfort. And once again, he was incredibly professional in both his view of the fight’s implications and what he would like to accomplish moving forward. It’s like, do you even want to be a fucking fighter, bro?

I want Bisping to stay on the up and up so I can knock him out, but I want Belfort to win because that would open a path to Anderson [Silva].

I want the fight that gets me to Anderson as fast as I can. I believe I can fight him like no one else can. I want that opportunity because I believe I’m the No. 1 contender. I want to fight Silva before Weidman does because I think he might beat him.

OK, we’ll give Luke props for stirring the pot a little bit at the end there, but we don’t think he has to worry about Weidman getting to Anderson Silva first. If anything, Rockhold should be calling out Sensei Seagal for a “winner gets Anderson’s full attention” battle of wills. There could be three categories: a guitar solo shred-off, a surf competition, and to balance things out, a deathmatch held at the premier of Seagul’s next film, as to make sure that there are no witnesses present. BANG POW SHAZAAM! CAN I GET AN AMEN?!

–J. Jones

UFC on Fox 7: Strikeforce Champion Luke Rockhold Challenges Costa Philippou

Apparently, the Strikeforce champions are now calling their own shots upon arriving in the UFC.Both Daniel Cormier and Gilbert Melendez took to calling out fighters in recent weeks and both men received their opponent of choice at UFC on Fox 7.On Wedne…

Apparently, the Strikeforce champions are now calling their own shots upon arriving in the UFC.

Both Daniel Cormier and Gilbert Melendez took to calling out fighters in recent weeks and both men received their opponent of choice at UFC on Fox 7.

On Wednesday, middleweight champion Luke Rockhold told MMAfighting.com that he wants to join the party, and he even has an opponent in mind.

“I think Costa Philippou makes the most sense right now,” he said. “He’s coming off a win, and I think he’s a good opponent. Let’s get it on at [UFC on FOX 7].”

Rockhold is a striker out of American Kickboxing Academy and twice defended his championship before the promotion’s demise. By calling out Philippou, the American is choosing a fellow striker who is pulling a steam train of momentum behind him.

After defeating world-ranked Tim Boetsch at UFC 155, Philippou finds himself sitting pretty with a 5-0 record in the UFC middleweight division. Stylistically, this is the kind of bout that the Serra-Longo fighter wants to take, as he is a willing participant of any stand up affair.

UFC on Fox 7 takes place in Strikeforce’s back yard of San Jose, California on Saturday, April 20. Typically, a Fox special will feature four fights on the main card.

Currently, the UFC has announced three bouts for the event.

The main event is a title unification bout between UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson and Strikeforce titleholder Gilbert Melendez. Melendez is a five-time defending champion who holds a 21-2 record as a professional and has avenged both of his career losses.

The evening’s co-main event is an important heavyweight battle between Strikeforce Grand Prix winner Daniel Cormier and former UFC champion Frank Mir. On Saturday night, Cormier called out Mir after putting together a second-round win at the final Strikeforce event.

Also announced for the card is a slugger’s specialty in the welterweight division when Dan Hardy meets surging brawler Matt Brown.

If Rockhold and Philippou are signed for San Jose, this could be the most intriguing offering that the UFC has put on Fox.

Stay tuned to Bleacher Report MMA for the latest updates on all things UFC on Fox 7.

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UFC Booking Alert: Matt Brown vs. Dan Hardy Added to ‘UFC on FOX 7?

(Oh no. You used the pillow I farted on, didn’t you. / Photo via CombatLifestyle)

Already packed with a lightweight title fight and a must-see heavyweight feature, UFC on FOX 7 (April 20th, San Jose) has just picked up a welterweight battle between two crowd-pleasing sluggers who are riding career comebacks.

As first reported by ESPN, former welterweight title contender Dan Hardy will face Matt Brown at the April event. Hardy, who was mercifully kept on the UFC roster despite losing four straight matches in 2010-2011, won back-to-back fights against Duane Ludwig and Amir Sadollah last year. But his second-life in the UFC could come to a screeching halt against Matt Brown, who had the best year of his career in 2012, going 4-0 with big wins over Mike Swick and Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. Like Hardy, Brown bounced back from a demoralizing stretch in 2010-2011 where he dropped four out of five matches.

(Oh no. You used the pillow I farted on, didn’t you. / Photo via CombatLifestyle)

Buzz about this fight has been building since last month, when Brown suggested it on Twitter, and Hardy deemed the Immortal a better opponent than that “big, loud, annoying kid” Matt Riddle. That’s good enough for us. So who’s ending this one with their hand raised?

UFC on Fox 7: Dan Hardy vs. Matt Brown Added to the Card

On Tuesday morning, it was announced (via Yahoo! Sports) that Benson Henderson will unify the UFC lightweight championship with the Strikeforce lightweight championship, as he will meet Gilbert Melendez at UFC on Fox 7. Shortly after, it was confirmed …

We’ve got our main event and our co-main event. Now, we’ve got our probable Fight of the Night winner.

MMAweekly.com confirmed on Tuesday evening that welterweight favorite Dan Hardy will return to the Octagon against hard-hitting slugger Matt Brown on April 20. It is assumed that a fight of this caliber will make place on the main card, although that has yet to be confirmed.

Hardy most recently appeared in a September victory against Amir Sadollah. It was the second consecutive win for the Brit, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

A four-fight losing streak left him without a victory in 2010 or 2011. Prior to the skid, Hardy earned a title shot against Georges St-Pierre by besting the likes of Mike Swick and Marcus Davis.

The outspoken “Outlaw,” who fights out of Nottingham, England, has long been one of the most popular fighters to step foot into the Octagon. The trash talk between Hardy and Davis remains one of the most entertaining feuds to ever hit the Internet.

Going 4-0 in 2012, Brown picked up notable wins against Swick and formerly undefeated kickboxer Stephen Thompson, which put him on the map as someone trying to break through the glass ceiling. His current winning streak is the longest of his 27-fight career.

Many expected Brown to be released toward the end of 2011 after being submitted in four of five contests. Keeping him proved to be a good move, because at this point in time, Brown is pulling a freight train of momentum behind him.

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Daniel Cormier vs. Frank Mir Confirmed for ‘UFC on FOX 7? on April 20th

(Frank Mir, master of the male bitch-face. / Photo via Getty Images)

It’s official: The heavyweight battle between Daniel Cormier and Frank Mir will go down at UFC on FOX 7, April 20th at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. Yahoo! Sports reported the booking today, also confirming that the Benson Henderson vs. Gilbert Melendez lightweight title fight will be on the card.

Cormier and Mir were originally scheduled to fight under the Strikeforce banner in November, but the former UFC heavyweight champ had to pull out of the match due to injury. Mir hasn’t competed since his TKO loss to Junior Dos Santos at UFC 146 in May. For the record, Mir wasn’t too impressed with Cormier’s TKO win over Dion Staring this weekend, telling MMAJunkie:

(Frank Mir, master of the male bitch-face. / Photo via Getty Images)

“He can go out there like his last fight and fight somebody that’s subpar. The only problem is that you have to go out there and really be devastating to get any kind of positive criticism…He’s in a situation right now where I don’t think many people were even moved by his fight. I think the most impressive thing he did in the whole fight was calling me out.”

Throughout his relatively brief MMA career, Cormier has proven to be the kind of fighter who rises to the level of his competition — so maybe he’ll look a whole lot more impressive when he’s tearing through a top-level heavy like Mir. Or as Cormier himself puts it, “he really doesn’t wanna piss me off.”

Your predictions, please.

Henderson vs. Melendez, Cormier vs. Mir Confirmed for UFC on Fox 7

In line with earlier reports, Kevin Iole from Yahoo! Sports is confirming that UFC on Fox 7 will feature the UFC debuts of two of Strikeforce’s hottest commodities. First, Daniel Cormier will finally face Frank Mir. Cormier was initially penned to…

In line with earlier reports, Kevin Iole from Yahoo! Sports is confirming that UFC on Fox 7 will feature the UFC debuts of two of Strikeforce’s hottest commodities.

First, Daniel Cormier will finally face Frank Mir. Cormier was initially penned to fight Mir in November at the aptly-named Strikeforce: Cormier vs. Mir. Mir had to pull out of the event with an injury and Zuffa was unable to secure a replacement in either Matt Mitrione or Pat Barry. The event was canceled, and Cormier would later go on to fight, and beat, promotional newcomer Dion Staring on Saturday at Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine.

Cormier became an overnight star when he beat Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva in 2011. Silva was heavily favored coming off his win over Fedor Emelianenko, but was knocked out in the first round. This advanced Cormier to the finals of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix, where he beat Josh Barnett and became one of the top five heavyweights in MMA. After beating Staring, Cormier discussed how he still wanted a crack at Frank Mir before dropping to light heavyweight to fight champion Jon Jones.

He will, it seems, get his wish.

Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, longtime Strikeforce (and former WEC) lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez will indeed be fighting Benson “Smooth” Henderson in the headline to the event. This was reported yesterday, and is now confirmed.

Melendez has long been ranked among the top lightweights in the world, and his UFC debut is something fans have wanted to see for almost ten years now. He has fought for many promotions over the years, but has never fought in the world’s largest promotion. The bout has been rumored for several weeks, since Henderson beat Melendez’s teammate, Nate Diaz, at UFC on Fox 5.

This will be the third UFC on Fox event in a row to feature a championship bout in its top spot. UFC on Fox 6 will feature a flyweight title bout in Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson.

The other two bouts on the card are yet to be announced, so keep an eye on Bleacher Report as more details become available.

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