Luke Rockhold submits Lyoto Machida, makes case for title shot
NEWARK
Luke Rockhold wanted to make a statement on Saturday night to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is the No. 1 contender in the UFC middleweight division.
Consider it mission accomplished.
Rockhold faced former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida in the main event of FOX UFC Fight Night from New Jersey and it took him less than two rounds to put the Brazilian away and send a message to middleweight king Chris Weidman in the process.
Rockhold stood toe-to-toe with Machida early, and if the fight was a kickboxing match, things were fairly even through the first couple of minutes in the fight. Rockhold was able to capitalize on a Machida slip to get the fight to the ground where he took over and began to dominate.
Rockhold transitioned from back control to side control and just blasted away at the Brazilian. Towards the end of the five minute session, Rockhold had his opponent hurt and it looked like he might get a stoppage, but the horn sounded, which saved Machida for the time being.
It didn't take long for Rockhold to get Machida back on the ground in the second, and it was more of the same from the California native.
This time, Rockhold found the perfect position to lock his legs under Machida's, wrapped his arms under the Brazilian's chin and cinched up a tight rear naked choke. With his entire body flattened out on the mat and Rockhold just yanking at his neck, Machida had no choice but to tap out and call a stop to the fight.
"I had to take my time, he had a real good sweat going, I think he knew we were going to get into some scrambles," Rockhold said about his ground control in the fight. "I hit him with a clean elbow at the end of that first round, I knew I hurt him. I saw him kind of wobble to his corner. I knew I had him from there."
Rockhold becomes only the third fighter in the UFC to finish Machida and only the second middleweight to add a loss to his record — the other person is middleweight champion Chris Weidman.
When the lights dropped in the Prudential Center on Saturday night, Rockhold walked to the cage to the track "You're the Best Around" by Joe Esposito, made famous from the 1984 film "The Karate Kid," and just like Daniel LaRusso did in that movie, he defied the odds and put away one of the best fighters in the sport in impressive fashion.
Rockhold called back to his walkout tune when he made his post-fight speech while also calling for a title fight against Weidman later this year.
"Did you hear my walkout song? I'm the best around," Rockhold said. "I did my part, Weidman you go do you part. I want to take this across the way — Madison Square Garden. Let's make history."
Weidman's part will come at UFC 187 next month when he takes on Vitor Belfort with the middleweight title up for grabs.
Rockhold already expressed his desire to face Weidman in his hometown of New York City if both fighters were victorious on Saturday night. Mixed martial arts is still illegal in New York state, but if current legislature passes, that could change before the end of the year.
Either way, Rockhold has cemented himself as the top challenger at 185 pounds and he will anxiously await the winner of UFC 187 in May.
