Luke Rockhold`s body kick stops Constantinos Philippou
DULUTH, Ga. – Former Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold stumbled in his UFC debut, but his second effort proved he’s one of the best 185-pounders in the world. An accomplished grappler, Rockhold didn’t even bother with the ground game in a first-round destruction of hard-hitting Constantinos Philippou.
The middleweight bout was the main event of today’s UFC Fight Night 35 event at Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Ga. It aired on FOX Sports 1 following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.
Southpaw Rockhold took the center early as Philippou moved laterally on the outside. Rockhold was patient to start, not rushing in for the takedown, and it was a short hook that scored the first real offense of the night. Unsurprisingly, Philippou was there to answer, and Rockhold backed away. From there, he delivered a kick that foreshadowed what was to come.
Rockhold continued to look for offense from the outside, and a pair of kicks to the body sent Philippou to his knees. Rockhold kicked him again to the body for good measure, and referee Herb Dean stepped in to wave off the fight at the 2:31 mark of the first frame.
Following his win Rockhold (11-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) called for a rematch with Vitor Belfort, as well as a potential bout with British slugger Michael Bisping.
“I’m here, Rockhold said after the win. “I’m not here to be good. I’m here to be great.
“I want my rematch, and I would like it here in the States. I’ll go through anybody I have to to get that, especially Michael Bisping, actually. That would be nice.”
Philippou (12-4 MMA, 5-3 UFC) has now dropped consecutive fights for the first time in his career.
Fight Night 35 Results:
Luke Rockhold def. Constantinos Philippou via TKO (body kick) – Round 1, 2:31
Brad Tavares def. Lorenz Larkin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
T.J. Dillashaw def. Mike Easton via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Yoel Romero def. Derek Brunson via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 3:23
John Moraga def. Dustin Ortiz via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Cole Miller def. Sam Sicilia via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:54
Ramsey Nijem def. Justin Edwards via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Elias Silverio def. Isaac Vallie-Flagg via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
Trevor Smith def. Brian Houston via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Louis Smolka def. Alptekin Ozkilic via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Vinc Pichel def. Garett Whiteley via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Beneil Dariush def. Charlie Brenneman via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:45