Luke Rockhold
Encyclopedia
Luke Rockhold is an American
mixed martial artist
. He is the current Strikeforce
Middleweight Champion.
Rockhold holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
under Dave Camarillo.
and with the Golden State Warriors
in the NBA.
Luke started training in Judo
at 6-years-old but quit upon turning ten. When he entered the seventh grade, he joined his school's wrestling team and stuck with the sport all through high school while taking jiu-jitsu classes.
Rockhold tried wrestling for a local community college but felt the sport wasn't for him, instead he took jiu-jitsu on full time. After winning a few BJJ tournaments, he decided to look into mixed martial arts. A few of Rockhold's friends convinced him to come down and train with the American Kickboxing Academy
and he did.
Up and coming promotion, Strikeforce
called and offered Rockhold a fight on their Strikeforce: Young Guns II
card. Rockhold looked impressive in his debut, forcing his opponent to submit from punches. Strikeforce impressed with his performance, decided to give him another fight. The second fight took place on the Strikeforce: Destruction
card, where Rockhold won via submission. At Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz
, Rockhold won his third consecutive fight.
Rockhold was given a step up in competition when he fought Cory Devela
at Strikeforce Challengers: Villasenor vs. Cyborg
. Even though he was the underdog, Rockhold won the fight in only 30 seconds with his third rear naked choke submission in a row.
At Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Evangelista
, Rockhold defeated The Ultimate Fighter 7 contestant, Jesse Taylor
. The fight improved his record to 5–0 under the Strikeforce banner.
In his most recent fight, Rockhold defeated another Ultimate Fighter 7 contestant, Paul Bradley and won via TKO from knees to the body. The fight took place at Strikeforce Challengers: Kaufman vs. Hashi
in San Jose, California
. With the win, Rockhold hopes to fight against tougher and more well known fighters. Besides the win, Rockhold was announced for the EA Sports MMA
video game.
Rockhold was scheduled to fight Matt Lindland
at Strikeforce: San Jose but pulled out a few weeks before the fight due to a shoulder injury.
Rockhold was expected to face former title contender, Tim Kennedy, at Strikeforce 32 on March 5, 2011. However, for unknown reasons, Rockhold was removed from the bout.
After more than a year and a half hiatus from fighting due to injuries, Rockhold stepped into the cage to fight Middleweight
Strikeforce
champion Ronaldo Souza on September 10, 2011. He won the fight by unanimous decision to become the new Strikeforce Middleweight champion.
| Win
| align="center" | 8–1
| Ronaldo Souza
| Decision (unanimous)
| Strikeforce World Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Kharitonov
|
| align="center" | 5
| align="center" | 5:00
|Cincinnati, Ohio
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 7–1
| Paul Bradley
| TKO (knees to the body)
| Strikeforce Challengers: Kaufman vs. Hashi
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 2:24
|San Jose, California
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 6–1
| Jesse Taylor
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Evangelista
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 3:42
|Fresno, California
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 5–1
| Cory Devela
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Strikeforce Challengers: Villasenor vs. Cyborg
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 0:30
|Kent, Washington
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 4–1
| Buck Meredith
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 4:07
|San Jose, California
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 3–1
| Nik Theotikos
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Strikeforce: Destruction
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 3:06
|San Jose, California
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 2–1
| Josh Neal
| Submission (punches)
| Strikeforce: Young Guns II
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 1:49
|San Jose, California
, United States
|
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 1–1
| Tony Rubalcava
| TKO (punches)
| Melee on the Mountain
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 2:46
|Friant, California
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 1–0
| Mike Martinez
| Submission (armbar)
| Melee on the Mountain
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 2:44
|Friant, California
, United States
|
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
mixed martial artist
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
. He is the current Strikeforce
Strikeforce
Strikeforce is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization based in San Jose, California. It is headed by CEO Scott Coker and owned by Zuffa, LLC...
Middleweight Champion.
Rockhold holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting...
under Dave Camarillo.
Early Life
Like Rockhold comes from an athletic family, growing up in Santa Cruz, Luke and his brother pro surfer, Matt Rockhold surfed their local breaks together. His father, Steve Rockhold, was a professional basketball player in EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and with the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in the NBA.
Luke started training in Judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
at 6-years-old but quit upon turning ten. When he entered the seventh grade, he joined his school's wrestling team and stuck with the sport all through high school while taking jiu-jitsu classes.
Rockhold tried wrestling for a local community college but felt the sport wasn't for him, instead he took jiu-jitsu on full time. After winning a few BJJ tournaments, he decided to look into mixed martial arts. A few of Rockhold's friends convinced him to come down and train with the American Kickboxing Academy
American Kickboxing Academy
The American Kickboxing Academy is a martial arts gym located in San Jose, California. It is one of the pioneering schools of mixed martial arts...
and he did.
Mixed martial arts career
In 2007, Rockhold made his professional debut against Mike Martinez for the Melee on the Mountain promotion. Rockhold dominated the fight and won with an armbar submission, midway in the first round. His second fight was not as successful as the first, Rockhold was defeated by Tony Rubalcava via technical knockout.Up and coming promotion, Strikeforce
Strikeforce
Strikeforce is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization based in San Jose, California. It is headed by CEO Scott Coker and owned by Zuffa, LLC...
called and offered Rockhold a fight on their Strikeforce: Young Guns II
Strikeforce: Young Guns II
Strikeforce: Young Guns II was a mixed martial arts event held on February 1 2008. The event was held by Strikeforce and took place at the San Jose Civic Auditorium in San Jose, California.- Results :...
card. Rockhold looked impressive in his debut, forcing his opponent to submit from punches. Strikeforce impressed with his performance, decided to give him another fight. The second fight took place on the Strikeforce: Destruction
Strikeforce: Destruction
Strikeforce: Destruction was a mixed martial arts event held on November 21 2008. The event was held by Strikeforce and took place at the HP Pavilion at San Jose in San Jose, California. This event aired live and free on HDNet.-Preliminary Card:...
card, where Rockhold won via submission. At Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz
Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz
Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz was a mixed martial arts event held by Strikeforce on April 11, 2009 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. It was the first event promoted by Strikeforce after their acquisition of assets from the defunct EliteXC promotion through its parent company ProElite. It...
, Rockhold won his third consecutive fight.
Rockhold was given a step up in competition when he fought Cory Devela
Cory Devela
"The One" Cory Devela is an American mixed martial artist from Bonney Lake, Washington.-School wrestling:Devela started wrestling in elementary school and continued through middle and high school. After graduation, Devela attended Yakima Valley Community College on a wrestling scholarship. Devela...
at Strikeforce Challengers: Villasenor vs. Cyborg
Strikeforce Challengers: Villasenor vs. Cyborg
Strikeforce Challengers: Villasenor vs. Cyborg was a mixed martial arts event held by the Strikeforce. The second Challengers event took place on June 19, 2009, at the ShoWare Center in Kent, Washington.-Background:...
. Even though he was the underdog, Rockhold won the fight in only 30 seconds with his third rear naked choke submission in a row.
At Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Evangelista
Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Evangelista
Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Evangelista was a mixed martial arts event held by the Strikeforce. The fourth Challengers episode took place on November 6, 2009, at the Save Mart Center at Fresno State in Fresno, California.-Televised card:...
, Rockhold defeated The Ultimate Fighter 7 contestant, Jesse Taylor
Jesse Taylor
Jesse Marcus Taylor is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter. He was a cast member of SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter 7, winning his entry, preliminary, quarterfinal and semi-final matches, and then became the only fighter to ever be removed from finals due to events that occurred...
. The fight improved his record to 5–0 under the Strikeforce banner.
In his most recent fight, Rockhold defeated another Ultimate Fighter 7 contestant, Paul Bradley and won via TKO from knees to the body. The fight took place at Strikeforce Challengers: Kaufman vs. Hashi
Strikeforce Challengers: Kaufman vs. Hashi
Strikeforce Challengers: Kaufman vs. Hashi was a mixed martial arts event held by the Strikeforce. The sixth Challengers episode took place on February 26, 2010, at the San Jose Civic Auditorium in San Jose, California.-Background:The Sarah Kaufman vs...
in San Jose, California
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
. With the win, Rockhold hopes to fight against tougher and more well known fighters. Besides the win, Rockhold was announced for the EA Sports MMA
EA Sports MMA
EA Sports MMA is a fighting video game which was published by EA Sports and developed by EA Tiburon from 2008 to 2010. It was released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on October 19, 2010 in North America and October 22, 2010 everywhere else....
video game.
Rockhold was scheduled to fight Matt Lindland
Matt Lindland
Matthew James Lindland is an American mixed martial artist, Olympic wrestler and politician. He won the Oregon Republican Party's nomination for the Oregon House of Representatives, District 52 seat on May 20, 2008....
at Strikeforce: San Jose but pulled out a few weeks before the fight due to a shoulder injury.
Rockhold was expected to face former title contender, Tim Kennedy, at Strikeforce 32 on March 5, 2011. However, for unknown reasons, Rockhold was removed from the bout.
After more than a year and a half hiatus from fighting due to injuries, Rockhold stepped into the cage to fight Middleweight
Middleweight
Middleweight is a division, or weight class, in boxing. Early boxing history is less than exact, but the middleweight designation seems to have begun in the 1840s. In the bare-knuckle era, the first middleweight championship fight was between Tom Chandler and Dooney Harris in 1897...
Strikeforce
Strikeforce
Strikeforce is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization based in San Jose, California. It is headed by CEO Scott Coker and owned by Zuffa, LLC...
champion Ronaldo Souza on September 10, 2011. He won the fight by unanimous decision to become the new Strikeforce Middleweight champion.
Championships and accomplishments
- StrikeforceStrikeforceStrikeforce is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization based in San Jose, California. It is headed by CEO Scott Coker and owned by Zuffa, LLC...
- Strikeforce Middleweight Championship (One time, current)
Mixed martial arts record
|-| Win
| align="center" | 8–1
| Ronaldo Souza
| Decision (unanimous)
| Strikeforce World Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Kharitonov
Strikeforce World Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Kharitonov
Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov was a mixed martial arts event held by Strikeforce that served as the Heavyweight Tournament semifinals. The event aired live on Showtime. The event took place on September 10, 2011 at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio....
|
| align="center" | 5
| align="center" | 5:00
|Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 7–1
| Paul Bradley
| TKO (knees to the body)
| Strikeforce Challengers: Kaufman vs. Hashi
Strikeforce Challengers: Kaufman vs. Hashi
Strikeforce Challengers: Kaufman vs. Hashi was a mixed martial arts event held by the Strikeforce. The sixth Challengers episode took place on February 26, 2010, at the San Jose Civic Auditorium in San Jose, California.-Background:The Sarah Kaufman vs...
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 2:24
|San Jose, California
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 6–1
| Jesse Taylor
Jesse Taylor
Jesse Marcus Taylor is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter. He was a cast member of SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter 7, winning his entry, preliminary, quarterfinal and semi-final matches, and then became the only fighter to ever be removed from finals due to events that occurred...
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Evangelista
Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Evangelista
Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Evangelista was a mixed martial arts event held by the Strikeforce. The fourth Challengers episode took place on November 6, 2009, at the Save Mart Center at Fresno State in Fresno, California.-Televised card:...
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 3:42
|Fresno, California
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 5–1
| Cory Devela
Cory Devela
"The One" Cory Devela is an American mixed martial artist from Bonney Lake, Washington.-School wrestling:Devela started wrestling in elementary school and continued through middle and high school. After graduation, Devela attended Yakima Valley Community College on a wrestling scholarship. Devela...
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Strikeforce Challengers: Villasenor vs. Cyborg
Strikeforce Challengers: Villasenor vs. Cyborg
Strikeforce Challengers: Villasenor vs. Cyborg was a mixed martial arts event held by the Strikeforce. The second Challengers event took place on June 19, 2009, at the ShoWare Center in Kent, Washington.-Background:...
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 0:30
|Kent, Washington
Kent, Washington
Kent is a city located in King County, Washington, United States, and is the third largest city in King County and the sixth largest in the state. An outlying suburb of Seattle, Kent is also the corporate home for companies such as REI and Oberto Sausage...
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 4–1
| Buck Meredith
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz
Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz
Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz was a mixed martial arts event held by Strikeforce on April 11, 2009 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. It was the first event promoted by Strikeforce after their acquisition of assets from the defunct EliteXC promotion through its parent company ProElite. It...
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 4:07
|San Jose, California
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 3–1
| Nik Theotikos
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Strikeforce: Destruction
Strikeforce: Destruction
Strikeforce: Destruction was a mixed martial arts event held on November 21 2008. The event was held by Strikeforce and took place at the HP Pavilion at San Jose in San Jose, California. This event aired live and free on HDNet.-Preliminary Card:...
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 3:06
|San Jose, California
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 2–1
| Josh Neal
| Submission (punches)
| Strikeforce: Young Guns II
Strikeforce: Young Guns II
Strikeforce: Young Guns II was a mixed martial arts event held on February 1 2008. The event was held by Strikeforce and took place at the San Jose Civic Auditorium in San Jose, California.- Results :...
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 1:49
|San Jose, California
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
, United States
|
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 1–1
| Tony Rubalcava
| TKO (punches)
| Melee on the Mountain
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 2:46
|Friant, California
Friant, California
Friant is a census-designated place in Fresno County, California, United States. The population was 549 at the 2010 census, down from 778 at the 2000 census. Friant is located north of Clovis, at an elevation of 344 feet .-Geography:Friant is located at...
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 1–0
| Mike Martinez
| Submission (armbar)
| Melee on the Mountain
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 2:44
|Friant, California
Friant, California
Friant is a census-designated place in Fresno County, California, United States. The population was 549 at the 2010 census, down from 778 at the 2000 census. Friant is located north of Clovis, at an elevation of 344 feet .-Geography:Friant is located at...
, United States
|