Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold has now been absent from the Octagon for over a year. In his last Octagon appearance, Rockhold looked to defend his middleweight title against his longtime rival Michael Bisping, who stepped in to fight Rockhold on short notice after Chris Weidman was forced out of his rematch with Rockhold due to injury.
When Bisping and Rockhold stepped into the Octagon together at UFC 199, Bisping managed to avenge his previous loss to Rockhold as he picked up a 1st round KO win to claim the middleweight title. Following the fight, Rockhold was slated to fight Jacare Souza in November in Melbourne, however Rockhold was forced out of the fight due to an injury, and has yet to be scheduled to fight again.
Now however, after over a year away, Rockhold is now reportedly looking to return to the Octagon. Ariel Helwani has the scoop:
Been serious talks of booking Luke Rockhold vs. David Branch as the main event of the Sept. 16 card in Pittsburgh. However, … (cont’d)
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 22, 2017
… Yoel Romero’s name has also been discussed as an opp. for Rockhold on a later date. Should be done soon. Rockhold’s return is imminent.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 22, 2017
… Right now, according to multiple sources, Branch is the front-runner and this is a fight he wants. Step up. Sink or swim.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 22, 2017
Branch, the former WSOF middleweight and light heavyweight champion, recently made his UFC debut at UFC 211 against Krzysztof Jotko, where he picked up a decision win to extend his win streak to 11.
Yoel Romero of course is coming off a recent loss to Robert Whittaker for the interim middleweight title at UFC 213, and barring any injuries in training, should be able to return to the Octagon in the near future.
Stay tuned for updates as they become available.
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 7/22/2017.