Shoulder Injury Forces Rockhold from Oct. 9 Strikeforce
A shoulder injury has forced American Kickboxing Academy standout Luke Rockhold from his scheduled matchup with 2000 Olympic silver medalist Matt Lindland at Strikeforce “Diaz vs. Noons 2” on Oct. 9 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
A welterweight tilt pairing unbeaten prospect Tyron Woodley with seven-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion Andre Galvao will replace the Rockhold-Lindland bout on the “Diaz vs. Noons 2” lineup. Strikeforce officials on Wednesday announced the change in plans.
“The fight between Tyron and Andre is a great matchup between two young fighters looking to take their careers to the next level,” Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said in a release. “We wish Luke a speedy recovery and are confident he will soon enough rejoin our growing crop of top prospects.”
Rockhold, who has never fought past the first round, has rattled off six consecutive victories and staked his claim as one of the sport’s top young middleweights. The 25-year-old last appeared in February, when he stopped Paul Bradley with knees to the body at Strikeforce Challengers 6. Six of Rockhold’s first seven wins have come via submission.
“There’s not much I can do,” Rockhold said. “Injuries are part of the game, but I feel bad for Matt, the fans, Strikeforce -- everybody. I’d been working really hard and was really focused on this fight. Hopefully, I will be OK soon and Matt and I can get it on in the future.”
The 40-year-old Lindland had lost three of his previous four fights before he put away Kevin Casey with third-round punches at Strikeforce Challengers 8 in May. The Oregon-based veteran has tested himself against some of the sport’s most accomplished competitors, including one-time Pride Fighting Championships heavyweight titleholder Fedor Emelianenko and former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
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