Karate Combat is an up-and-coming MMA promotion that has been garnering a lot of interest. With some renowned ex-UFC fighters and athletes from other disciplines thrown into the mix, it often makes for a unique experience. Not only that but Luke Rockhold’s actions will draw even more eyes to the promotion.
For those unaware, Luke Rockhold recently returned to action at Karate Combat 45, taking on veteran kickboxer and former Bellator fighter Joe Schilling. Marking his first win since 2017, Rockhold answered the call on three weeks’ notice and delivered a memorable performance.
Love him or hate him, he is HIM! #KC45 pic.twitter.com/soe317llRk
— Karate Combat (@KarateCombat) April 21, 2024
Taking place in Dubai, Rockhold’s contest against Schilling was the main event of the evening. On the night, he delivered, finally showing signs of the once-great UFC and Strikeforce champion, connecting a huge right hand to send his opponent to the ground, and then following it up with ground-and-pound to close out in Round 3.
Michael Bisping reacts to Luke Rockhold calling out Lyoto Machida
Naturally, many were very happy to see Luke Rockhold get his first win in nearly 7 years. Previously, his last win had come against David Branch in the UFC. Since then, he’d gone on a losing streak, falling short against Yoel Romero, Jan Blachowicz, and Paulo Costa. Thereafter, he’d also lost to Mike Perry at BKFC 41.
Right after the win, Rockhold called for Lyoto Machida:
“There’s only one man I want to fight in this pit, and that’s Lyoto Machida,” Rockhold said in his post-fight interview. “You’re lucky because they don’t allow elbows, so no more nightmares about the elbows. Bring it. Let’s see what you got, let’s see what the paychecks look like, bring out that check book.
“Lyoto, I know you need a pay-day motherf*cker, come get it.”
Notably, his once famed rival Michael Bisping had tuned in for the fight as well. Despite their rivalry, Bisping was watching along and was pleased to see Rockhold finally get the win.
“Congratulations Luke, calls out Lyoto Machida. If you recall, he destroyed Lyoto Machida in the UFC, took him down, got top control position and just absolutely molested him with elbows. It was a vicious beatdown and I think in the next fight he beat (Chris) Weidman to become the champion. Well done to Luke.”
For the most part, many may be wondering as to why Luke called for Lyoto Machida in particular. Seeing that he put him away quite comfortably in the past, some would suggest that Rockhold should call for a foe that he has lost to. However, as it turns out, there is more to the story between Luke Rockhold and Lyoto Machida than what many may know.
Luke Rockhold has been calling for a rematch against Lyoto Machida for a while now
For those unaware, this is not the first time Luke Rockhold has called for Lyoto Machida. In the past, Rockhold was present at Karate Combat 40, that time as a commentator, when he first expressed his desire for a rematch against the Brazilian. As for Machida himself, the Japanese-Brazilian has been away from action since his loss to Fabian Edwards at Bellator 281.
Speaking about a potential fight against his former foe, Luke stated:
“I didn’t really need a submission the last time I fought Machida, haha. I think that was the ground and pound. To my understanding, you still have ground and pound. Five-seconds? that’s all I need… I’m not opposed to it.”
Further, he revealed the real reason behind wanting to fight Machida:
“That’s a pretty good one right there. That’s a pretty good one, but you never know. I got to see the lay of the land, but he was helping out Mike Perry, wasn’t he? Might have to settle that one.”
Due to his presence in Mike Perry’s corner ahead of the Rockhold fight, Lyoto Machida has seemingly become a target. With Luke Rockhold losing the fight due to a brutal injury, it is likely that Lyoto’s role in that did not sit well with him. Either way, considering that Machida is one of the first and only fighters to bring a Karate style to the UFC, a matchup would be a no-brainer for him. Whether it happens or not, only time will tell.