Luke Rockhold
USA
Retires following defeat
Rockhold lost to Paulo Costa via unanimous decision (27-30, 27-30, 27-30) at UFC 278 on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
For a fighter who hadn't competed since July of 2019 and entered as a (+275) betting underdog, Rockhold put forth a relatively solid showing in what appears to be his final UFC fight. His chin held up to the power of Costa, but his cardio is what faded most, as many fighters on this card appeared underprepared for the elevation in Utah. He was taken down twice and lost the significant striking battle 73 to 51, but the numbers and scorecards don't tell the whole story. He had Costa in trouble on several occasions and did well attacking the body with kicks, but Costa ultimately had more gas in the tank in the second and third rounds, which allowed him to cruise to a decision victory. When it was all said and done, Rockhold at least will go home with a $50,000 bonus after this bout was awarded Fight of the Night honors. The 37-year-old will end his career with three consecutive defeats but a 16-6 overall record, in addition to holding belts in both the UFC and Strikeforce.
For a fighter who hadn't competed since July of 2019 and entered as a (+275) betting underdog, Rockhold put forth a relatively solid showing in what appears to be his final UFC fight. His chin held up to the power of Costa, but his cardio is what faded most, as many fighters on this card appeared underprepared for the elevation in Utah. He was taken down twice and lost the significant striking battle 73 to 51, but the numbers and scorecards don't tell the whole story. He had Costa in trouble on several occasions and did well attacking the body with kicks, but Costa ultimately had more gas in the tank in the second and third rounds, which allowed him to cruise to a decision victory. When it was all said and done, Rockhold at least will go home with a $50,000 bonus after this bout was awarded Fight of the Night honors. The 37-year-old will end his career with three consecutive defeats but a 16-6 overall record, in addition to holding belts in both the UFC and Strikeforce.
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Fight moved to August 20
Rockhold will now face Paulo Costa in a middleweight fight at a UFC event on August 20, The Schmo reports.
ANALYSIS
Orignally, the two fighters were set to meet at UFC 277 on July 30, but the fight will have to wait. Rockhold has not fought since July 6, 2019.
Orignally, the two fighters were set to meet at UFC 277 on July 30, but the fight will have to wait. Rockhold has not fought since July 6, 2019.
Returning to Octagon on July 30
Rockhold (back) is scheduled to face Paulo Costa (foot) in a middleweight bout at UFC 277 on July 30, Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
After mulling retirement and bowing out of a fight at UFC 268 in October of last year, Rockhold will return to the Octagon for the first time since July 6, 2019. Rockhold will be trying to avenge a loss to Jan Blachowicz at UFC 239 almost three years ago. Costa will be entering the ring having previously served a six-month medical suspension after injuring his knee and eye during his loss to Marvin Vettori on Oct. 23, 2021.
After mulling retirement and bowing out of a fight at UFC 268 in October of last year, Rockhold will return to the Octagon for the first time since July 6, 2019. Rockhold will be trying to avenge a loss to Jan Blachowicz at UFC 239 almost three years ago. Costa will be entering the ring having previously served a six-month medical suspension after injuring his knee and eye during his loss to Marvin Vettori on Oct. 23, 2021.
Bows out of UFC 268
Rockhold will be unable to fight at UFC 268 against Sean Strickland due to herniated disks in his back, Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie reports.
ANALYSIS
Rockhold was scheduled to fight Nov. 6, but he's now headed for rehab. "There's no easy way to really say it, but the fight is off in New York," stated Rockhold via his personal Instagram account. "I ended up herniating a disc in my back. L4, L56. The docs say it's nothing I can play with. I need to do some treatment and recovery time." Per Bohn, it's unknown at this time whether the UFC will find a replacement opponent for Strickland.
Rockhold was scheduled to fight Nov. 6, but he's now headed for rehab. "There's no easy way to really say it, but the fight is off in New York," stated Rockhold via his personal Instagram account. "I ended up herniating a disc in my back. L4, L56. The docs say it's nothing I can play with. I need to do some treatment and recovery time." Per Bohn, it's unknown at this time whether the UFC will find a replacement opponent for Strickland.
Making return in November
Rockhold will take on Sean Strickland in a middleweight bout at UFC 268, Aaron Bronsteter of TSN.ca reports.
ANALYSIS
Rockhold will make his first start in the Octagon in nearly two and a half years. Last time he was knocked out by Jan Blachowicz in his light heavyweight debut. Strickland has been on fire, winning his last five bouts and nine of his last 11.
Rockhold will make his first start in the Octagon in nearly two and a half years. Last time he was knocked out by Jan Blachowicz in his light heavyweight debut. Strickland has been on fire, winning his last five bouts and nine of his last 11.
Mulling retirement
Rockhold told Ariel Helwani of ESPN in an interview Thursday that he has "no interest in fighting right now" and is considering retirement.
ANALYSIS
While it seems as though Rockhold may have already taken the octagon for the last time, he stopped short of officially announcing his retirement and is seemingly still leaving the door open for a comeback down the road. As for now, he's stuck at a career record of 16-5 with three of those losses coming in his four most recent fights.
While it seems as though Rockhold may have already taken the octagon for the last time, he stopped short of officially announcing his retirement and is seemingly still leaving the door open for a comeback down the road. As for now, he's stuck at a career record of 16-5 with three of those losses coming in his four most recent fights.