Taking on former kickboxer Joe Schilling at Karate Combat 45. Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold rolled back the years with a stunning knockout, securing a third-round victory.
Leaving the UFC off the back of three consecutive losses as well as injury woes. Many thought they had seen the end of Rockhold competing in combat sports. However, the now 39-year-old wasn’t quite finished.
First jumping to BKFC, where he lost to Mike Perry via TKO. One year later, Rockhold would find himself in a main event slot at Karate Combat 45 taking on Joe Schilling.
For those unfamiliar with the Karate Combat promotion, you can find all the rules and regulations here. To simplify it’s held under modified rules favouring striking action, taking place in a ‘pit’ not a cage, with rounds lasting three minutes.
Luke Rockhold Delivers Knockout Blow
16-6 as a professional in MMA. Luke Rockhold would only score four knockouts in his career, with more wins coming via submission (10).
His opponent Joe Schilling (40) did compete in MMA going 4-6, but his main experience came as a kickboxer where he fought 32 times winning 23 of his bouts. Claiming championships in promotions such as GLORY.
Despite possessing some stellar striking of his own. Taking on a former kickboxer in a striking heavy environment might seem a bad idea.
As it turns out Luke Rockhold would score a third-round knockout securing a huge victory potentially putting him in a championship challenging position.
If Rockhold wishes to continue, and potentially deliver some more highlight reel knockouts. The current middleweight champion standing in his way is Ross Levin.
Ross is 4-1 in the Karate Combat arena, last losing in the weight class above to former UFC alum Sam Alvey.
What did you make of Luke Rockhold’s knockout victory?
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