UFC Pittsburgh Results: Luke Rockhold Rebounds With TKO Over David Branch
UFC Pittsburgh Results: Luke Rockhold Rebounds With TKO Over David Branch
Luke Rockhold bounced back at UFC Pittsburgh, defeating David Branch in devastating fashion.
A mega exciting UFC Fight Night card concluded with a showdown between Luke Rockhold and David Branch inside Pittsburgh's PPG Paints Arena.
Coming off his upset defeat at the hands of Michael Bisping at UFC 199 in June 2016, Rockhold jumped right back into the fire to face the former two-division World Series of Fighting champion Branch.
The decision proved wise for the former champ.
Here's what went down.
If Rockhold was rusty coming into the fight, Branch quickly shook off any oxidation for him -- with his fists. The New Yorker battered Rockhold with a series of hard punches to kick off the bout, forcing him against the cage before working a takedown to put the American Kickboxing Academy standout on his back.
From there, however, Rockhold woke up. The former champ worked back to his feet and scored from range, landing various shots before securing a takedown of his own to close out the frame. It was a needed moment that proved he could battle back from adversity for the returning Rockhold, and it was momentum he carried into Round 2.
The two immediately got back into each other's faces, trading hands while circling the cage. Rockhold began to mix leg kicks with his punches, and Branch quickly caught on, catching one and landing a right hand down the pipe in return.
Branch then worked the fight against the cage, where he employed his classic pressure and dirty boxing. Rockhold reversed the position, though, and he began to look for a takedown of his own. That plan proved successful after much doing, as Rockhold drug Branch to the mat and immediately transitioned to mount against the cage.
Branch gave up his back, and Rockhold began hammering away with ground-and-pound shots, bringing the crowd to life. Squirm as he might, Branch couldn't escape, and Rockhold continued to pound away, and Branch tapped out to avoid any further damage.
Coming off his upset defeat at the hands of Michael Bisping at UFC 199 in June 2016, Rockhold jumped right back into the fire to face the former two-division World Series of Fighting champion Branch.
The decision proved wise for the former champ.
Here's what went down.
Round 1
If Rockhold was rusty coming into the fight, Branch quickly shook off any oxidation for him -- with his fists. The New Yorker battered Rockhold with a series of hard punches to kick off the bout, forcing him against the cage before working a takedown to put the American Kickboxing Academy standout on his back.
From there, however, Rockhold woke up. The former champ worked back to his feet and scored from range, landing various shots before securing a takedown of his own to close out the frame. It was a needed moment that proved he could battle back from adversity for the returning Rockhold, and it was momentum he carried into Round 2.
Round 2
The two immediately got back into each other's faces, trading hands while circling the cage. Rockhold began to mix leg kicks with his punches, and Branch quickly caught on, catching one and landing a right hand down the pipe in return.
Branch then worked the fight against the cage, where he employed his classic pressure and dirty boxing. Rockhold reversed the position, though, and he began to look for a takedown of his own. That plan proved successful after much doing, as Rockhold drug Branch to the mat and immediately transitioned to mount against the cage.
Branch gave up his back, and Rockhold began hammering away with ground-and-pound shots, bringing the crowd to life. Squirm as he might, Branch couldn't escape, and Rockhold continued to pound away, and Branch tapped out to avoid any further damage.