As the last Strikeforce Middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold is one of the more interesting fighters ready to make the transition to the UFC. Rockhold was originally slated to face Lorenz Larkin at the final Strikeforce event last week, but a training injury to his wrist kept him out off the card.
MMA Fighting has confirmed that Rockhold has now healed up. He’s back to training and ready to make his UFC debut. Despite not having a match set yet, Luke knows who he wants to face:
“I think Costa Philippou makes the most sense right now,” he said. “He’s coming off a win, and I think he’s a good opponent. Let’s get it on at [UFC on FOX 7].”
Rockhold last appeared in the hexagon in July when he picked up his second successful title defense against Tim Kennedy. With a record of 10-1 he’s ranked #7 in the world at 185 lbs. Constantinos Philippou is coming off a very big TKO win over Tim Boetsch at UFC 155 that capped off a 3-0 year. Before defeating the #4 middleweight Costa was ranked #24, but that win will surely bump him up the ladder.