Strickland not surprised by Rockhold withdrawal, claims he almost KO’d him in sparring

Sean Strickland isn’t the slightest bit surprised by Luke Rockhold’s withdrawal from their now-canceled middleweight bout at UFC 268 next month.

Rockhold was expected to take on Strickland after a two-year layoff but was forced to shelve his UFC comeback due to injury. The former UFC and Strikeforce middleweight champion is reported to have suffered a herniated disc in his back.

Strickland, however, doesn’t believe Rockhold had any intention of making the walk to the octagon next month and claims he almost KO’d the 36-year-old in sparring.

“He was never going to make it to the fight lmao… no one is surprised I sparred him once and almost put him out.. didn’t even spar the second round, walked out of the gym lmao.. I knew this wasn’t happening,” Strickland, who is on a five-fight streak, posted.

Strickland is now without an opponent for UFC 268 but the UFC will no doubt be scrambling for a suitable replacement.

The pay-per-view, which is one of the most anticipated events of the year, features two title bouts: a welterweight championship rematch between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington and a strawweight title bout between Rose Namajunas and Weili Zhang.

UFC 268 is scheduled to take place on Nov. 6 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.