Luke Rockhold has once again stirred up the combat sports scene, but this time, it’s not with his fists. Rockhold, the former UFC middleweight champion, is set to fight Craig Jones in a grappling match scheduled to take place at the Pais Arena in Jerusalem on September 21.

The event marks the return of Rockhold to competition after a series of varied endeavors. Following his departure from the UFC in 2022 after a loss to Paulo Costa, Rockhold entered the world of bare-knuckle boxing. There, he experienced a TKO defeat in his BKFC debut, with Mike Perry delivering the final blow.

With a history of diverse challenges and unexpected outcomes, Rockhold’s decision to step onto the grappling mat has fans buzzing and expressing their concerns.

Luke Rockhold to test his grappling skills 

With the match announcement, Rockhold finds himself facing off against Craig Jones, a seasoned grappler. Jones is a two-time ADCC silver medalist. Also, the Jiu-Jitsu coach for UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, Jones, brings a wealth of experience to the mat. 

As soon as the fight announcement surfaced over the internet, fans quickly started to voice their opinions, as they always have. While some show appreciation for Rockhold’s willingness to take on diverse challenges, others question his motivations and choices. One fan humorously notes, “Luke really does not take easy fights in any combat sport.” Another fan adds a touch of irony, stating, “Luke Rockhold just likes to get paid to get embarrassed these days.”

First professional grappling contest since 2007

While Rockhold had been campaigning for a grappling match against Georges St-Pierre, fate seemed to have a different plan. His scheduled opponent, Craig Jones, holds titles from IBJJF and Polaris, highlighting the challenge ahead.

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The stakes are high as Rockhold prepares to engage in his first professional grappling contest since 2007, where he secured gold in both gi and no-gi at the Worlds.

Let’s take a look at how some fans have reacted:

• Luke likes to collect L’s in as many organizations as he can
• Ruk (meaning ‘to stop’ in Hindi language) Rockhold do not hold back buddy!
• luke really does not take easy fights in any combat sport
• Luke Rockhold just likes to get paid to get embarrassed these days

With fans eagerly awaiting the showdown, one sentiment stands out: Rockhold’s journey. His journey, though unorthodox, continues to captivate the fight world, one bold move at a time. Do you think Luke Rockhold’s grappling skills can hold up against the prowess of Craig Jones? Comment below.

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