Strikeforce Results: Luke Rockhold TKO's Keith Jardine
Posted on January 7, 2012, 11:31 PM by Anton GurevichLuke Rockhold remained the Strikeforce Middleweight Champion, after a convincing performance against Keith Jardine in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Rockhold opened the fight with his trademark kicks and punches combination, as Jardine desperately tried to close the distance from the promising AKA product. Rockhold connected with a perfectly executed spinning back kick the liver, a shin kick to the ribs, but Jardine was there to fight, and made sure the Champ has to sweat a little bit more if he wants to retain his title.
Keith Jardine responded with a strong jab, leg kicks and a few haymakers, only to postpone the punishment that was prepared for him towards the end of Round 1. Rockhold caught Jardine with a series of punches that rocked the UFC veteran down to the canvas. Luke Rockhold followed with a vicious fight-ending ground and pound, as the referee stopped the action at 4:26 of Round 1.
Jardine proved he's a tough opponent with a lot of heart, and gave Luke Rockhold the fight he deserved as a champion. Rockhold proved he's one of the Top 10 Middleweights on the planet, and definitely has place in the UFC. After all, Rockhold passed the obstacle that failed Chuck Liddell, Forrest Griffin and Gegard Mousasi. The fight with Tim Kennedy is a very intriguing match-up, but personally, I would be more than happy to see Rockhold against someone like Alan Belcher.
Looks like it's going to be a very exciting year for Luke Rockhold, who is now 9-1 in his MMA career.
Photo: CombatLifeStyle.com
Comments
Couple late stoppages.
Rockhold is a monster MW I like him alot, and I want to see Lawler back in the UFC.
Agree these are the kind of fighters we need up and coming to the sport
Rockhold has real Martial Arts background and he is very talented.
he need more fighters like him not these point score "fighters" like Black John Fitch Tyron Woodley.
I'm really starting to like Rockhold as a fighter and think he is probbaly in the top 10 now.
Real promising kid and I think he would do good in UFC
Ready to see how he fairs against someone like Lawler or Tim Kennedy
dont think jardine is ever gonna hold a belt
Rockhold's striking looks good, unorthodox but fairly accurate and aggressive enough to trouble guys. BUT the MW division's top 5-6 has incredible wrestlers in it, if he can't live with them he'll struggle when he switches over
poor Jardine , he keeps trying and failing..