1/7/2012 10:00PST UPDATE: Luke Rockhold knocks Keith Jardine out 4:26 into round #1. Come on bro…who’s next? Tim Kennedy? Jacare rematch? Luke needs to be called the StrikeForce Street Sweeper. BOOM!

Yahoo Sports: 

Rockhold took care of business easily, waiting out the wild style of Jardine to land a huge right and followed it up with 17 more unanswered shots to force the referee to stop the fight at 4:26 of the first round.

The champ was happy to win, but had little interest in calling out Strikeforce’s No. 1 contender Tim Kennedy. Minutes after the victory, Showtime’s Mauro Ranallo asked about Rockhold defending his title against the Strikeforce roster.

“I like fighting and I like getting paid,” Rockhold said then hesitated. “Right now, all the best guys in the world at middleweight are in the UFC. Those are the guys I want. I want to fight the best in the world. I think they should bring over some top contenders. I believe I am one of top guys and I want to take on the best.”

Defending Srikeforce Middleweight World Champ and SC Family member Luke Rockhold facing off against Keith Jardine for the Main Event on SHOwtime Saturday night. It is a FREE PREVIEW weekend for SHOwtime so there is not a reason in the world why you wouldn’t watch at 10pm PST as SC Family Member Luke Rockhold goes on to defend his title and represent! 

SC Family Luke Rockhold doin work son!

Luke Rockhold vs. Keith Jardine Saturday Janruary 7th at 10pm PST Comcast Channel 576.

SC Family and Strikeforce Middleweight World Champ MMA record 8 - 1

When Luke was being asked what was he really looking forward to in his next fight…he said “To make it out of the 1st round…just kidding”. Luke Rockhold is whitehot right now, definitely “one to watch” as he hands himself another victory in the 1st round of Strike Force Challenger Series held at the San Jose Civic Center. Even before the night started, all eyes were on Luke, and there was quite a few of the boys from Santa Cruz in the crowd. Fight starts, Luke is immediately throwing head kicks and striking…Paul Bradley never knew what hit him. Luke landed the 1st of multiple devastating blows to send Paul Bradley reeling backwards and into the cage, like a lion to its prey, Luke would pounce and ground and pound. Finally 2/3 of the way into round one, Luke once again throwing kick after kick, strikes Bradley and finally drops him only to finish him off. Rockhold takes off on a victory lap around the ring and throws a lipper on the octagon as realizes his accomplishment. The video speaks for itself, watch and enjoy.

Here are a couple of stories from last night:

MMA Fighting Stances

Sherdog

Luke Rockhold added to EA Sports MMA video game

Luke Rockhold vs. Paul Bradley

Luke Rockhold

Sherdog

Strikeforce’s exciting 185 pound prospect, Luke Rockhold took some time to visit with Examiner.com as he prepares for his upcoming fight against Paul Bradley at Strikeforce Challengers VI on February 26th. Luke opened up and gave the fans a glimpse into the mind of an MMA fighter.

How did you get involved with MMA?
I grew up wanting to do MMA. I always watched MMA when I was a kid. I always the young kid who got into fights, especially with my older brothers. I took Judo for a few years from 6 to 10 years old. I wrestled all through high school. I got good at jiu-jitsu after high school.

What would you say is the biggest strength in your MMA repertoire?
I’m really got good at jiu-jitsu and my submission game is very strong.

How has training at American Kickboxing Academy helped your MMA career?
It’s a huge bonus for me. There are a lot of veterans there. I’ve learned a lot from their experience.

What’s your mindset when you go into a fight?
I want to go in there and show everyone that I’m better than my opponent. I want to beat him as fast as I can.
Eric Davidson Sacramento, CA “What’s it feel like when the cage door closes and it’s just comes down to you and your opponent?”
It feels really good.. All the weight is off your shoulders.. The hardest part is just getting to that moment. Once the cage door shuts it feels complete because you know that everything you have trained for is finally happening.

Jesse Hanson Sacramento, CA “Can you describe the feeling of victory?”
There’s no rush like I get from wining a fight. Its amazing.. I can’t compare to anything I’ve ever done.

How is it that your last 4 fights all ended with the Rear Naked Choke?
Im really good at control of the back. If I get to somebody’s back I feel I can finish. It just happened to workout where I was able to get them into that submission the last several fights.

Jason Caffrey Sacramento, CA “Who do you think is the best MMA fighter in your weight class?” (You can’t pick yourself)
Anderson Silva. But anyone can win on any given day.
What’s your training like as you get closer to a fight?
It gets pretty intense. You really are trying to cover all your bases. The final week, its’ time to taper off because you have done all your work. A time for your body to recover a bit. You still do a few things to stay sharp. Weight control is huge. You gotta really watch what you eat. Well rounded diet with limited carbs and lots of fluids.
What can you tell me about your upcoming opponent (Paul Bradley) at Strikeforce Challengers 6 on February 26th?
He’s a very tough wrestler. He’s from Iowa State where they put out really great wrestlers. His wrestling is really tough.
How have you trained specifically for Paul Bradley?
I’ve been training a lot on wrestling to make it tough for him and to open him up for my striking.
Any predictions for your fight with Paul Bradley?
I’m gonna try to keep him on his feet because I think I can KO him if he’s on his feet. But if it goes to the ground, I think I can submit him on the ground. I plan on taking him out as efficient and effective as possible.

Is there anything that you would like to say to your fans?
I want thank everyone for supporting me. I also want to thank my sponsors Dethrone, Full Tilt Poker, Santa Cruz Skate shop Surf shop, and Score Clinic.

You can follow Luke on Facebook

You can check out Luke and the other upcoming MMA stars at Strikeforce Challengers VI: Prangley vs. Amoussou, live on February 26th from the San Jose Civic Center in San Jose, CA. The fights will also be broadcasted live on Showtime.

Strikeforce’s Luke Rockhold: I’d love to scrap if Paul Bradley will stand with me

American Kickboxing Academy fighter Luke Rockhold (6-1 MMA, 5-0 SF) has quickly made a name for himself in Strikeforce’s middleweight division.

Rightfully so. With five submission wins in five Strikeforce outings, Rockhold’s grappling skills have already earned him a solid reputation.

But as Rockhold prepares to take on “The Ultimate Fighter 7″ competitor Paul Bradley (12-1 MMA, 1-0 SF) at “Strikeforce Challengers VI” on Feb. 26 in San Jose, Calif., he has a message for his opponent: Let’s stand and bang.

“I’ll take a choke, but to tell you the truth, I love to scrap if he would stand up with me,” Rockhold recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). “I just don’t see it happening.”

It’s an odd request from a fighter that shown to be more than capable on the floor. But after defeating noted wrestler Jesse Taylor this past November, Rockhold said he’s tired of preparing for fighters that will look to lay on top of him.

“I’m a little tired right now just because I’ve had two of these wrestling guys that seem like they just want to wrestle you,” Rockhold said. “Training for these guys is no fun. I’m looking forward to someone that’s going to fight me next time.”

If Rockhold seems to hold a bit of disdain for the wrestling game, he doesn’t. A former wrestler himself, Rockhold just prefers a more open style of attack.

But Rockhold knows Bradley is a dangerous foe, and he knows his game will have to be up for the challenger. Of course, training with collegiate champion heavyweights Cain Velasquez and Daniel Cormier on a daily basis has him ready for the task.

“This guy is the next step up from Jesse Taylor, wrestling-wise,” Rockhold said. “Iowa State wrestlers are really tough guys – really strong, tenacious, and don’t stop. You’ve got to be more technical, and you’ve got to have the cardio to keep up with them. I plan on doing so.

“Going with Cain and Daniel Cormier is perfect for me for these guys because if I can deal with them in any extent, then what are these guys going to do with me?”

Should Rockhold win, it would certainly be time for Strikeforce to look at him as a serious contender in the middleweight division. This will be Rockhold’s fourth appearance on a developmental card (including one fight in the now-defunct “Young Guns” series), and he’s ready to make the step up to the big show.

“It would be nice to jump up and get off these ‘Challengers Series’ cards, but it’s really not up to me,” Rockhold said. “I think there’s a natural progression, and I think I’m headed toward that. I just want to focus on each fight, and I hope I get there.”

But standing in his way – at least Rockhold hopes he’ll be standing – is Bradley.

“I know I can submit him on the ground, and I’ve got a lot more submissions than a rear-naked choke,” Rockhold said. “But I’ve got tons more to show, and I feel like I can knock this guy out on the feet.”

For complete coverage of “Strikeforce Challengers VI: Prangley vs. Amoussou,” stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.

Anticipation for Luke Rockhold VS. Jesse “JT Money” Taylor televised on SHOwtime was at an all time high for the SC Family as Sam Diggs and I were driving to the Strikeforce Challenger Series 4 in Fresno California last night.

Jesse Taylor v. Luke Rockhold weigh-in Strikeforce

This was a big fight for Luke, he had 5 wins and 1 loss with the last 3 wins coming from rear naked choke/tko’s and first round finishes…but this fight was different. Luke was squaring off with Team Quest’s Jesse Taylor former “Ultimate Fighter”.

Strikeforce Challenger Series 4 at Sav Mart Center bout card

3:42 into the first round (AGAIN!) Luke Rockhold worked a beautiful reversal after giving up his back to sink the patented “rear naked choke” on Jesse Taylor improving the record to 6-1 with the last 4 fights ending in the 1st round with TKO/rear naked chokes.

Luke Rockhold moments before submitting Jesse Taylor

Born and bred in Santa Cruz California, Luke Rockhold is a surfer/skater by nature and the support from his hometown was in full effect Friday night with brother/pro surfer Matt Rockhold sitting ringside cheering his lil bro on.

Santa Cruz family showing support ringside

After taking care of business it was a limo ride to Club Bliss and the Projekt Label/ProMMA.info offical Luke Rockhold Party with a nice posse of Santa Cruz family in attendance.

Projekt Label and ProMMA.info afterparty for Luke Rockhold

CONGRATS FROM YOUR SC FAMILY ON ANOTHER IMPRESSIVE WIN!!!

STRIKEFORCE: LUKE ROCKHOLD STEPS UP AGAIN
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 – by Mick Hammond – MMAWeekly.com

Expectations continue to rise for Strikeforce middleweight Luke Rockhold, and he continues to rise with them.

Over the course of the past year, Rockhold has steadily increased the level of opposition he’s faced and has come through in spectacular fashion each time.

Most recently Rockhold dispatched Corey Devela in just 30 seconds at the Strikeforce Challengers Series event in June. Now he has his eyes set on doing the same to Team Quest standout Jesse Taylor on Nov. 6 in Fresno.

“I try to block out the pressure and focus on what I need to do,” said Rockhold to MMAWeekly.com of the increasingly high expectations placed on him.

“I think as long as I go in there and do what I’ve been training to do, I think it might not (go as quickly as the Devela fight), but still be pretty exciting.”

Rockhold recently relocated from his native Santa Cruz, Calif., to San Jose, Calif., to be closer to his training base at the American Kickboxing Academy.

It’s a move that Rockhold claims has already begun to pay huge dividends.

“It’s a lot easier without the commute in the middle of my day, and I have more energy to get back in the gym and get my second workout in,” he stated. “I’m just busting ass and feeling confident right now.

“My stand-up and everything else is coming together. I feel like I’ll be improving in every fight by leaps and bounds.”

Turning his attention towards Jesse Taylor, Rockhold admits this could be a fight to test many aspects of his game to the fullest.

“He’s one of those little strong guys who’s tough to get below, tough to isolate like limbs and stuff,” said Rockhold. “He has the potential to frustrate me if I get caught on the bottom – that’s where I don’t want to be.

“I’ve been working with some of the best wrestlers out there like (Josh) Koscheck and (Jon) Fitch, working on my wrestling defense and takedowns. I’d potentially like to keep this one on the feet, and if anything stay on top (on the ground) and do damage.”

The temptation is always to push a rising star too far too fast to capitalize on his successes, but with Strikeforce, Rockhold feels he’s making a slow, natural progression that will ultimately pay off far greater than instantaneous exposure.

“They are building me step by step and this is a perfect step for me,” he commented. “Jesse is a really good opponent, and I’m happy to be where I’m at.

“I wouldn’t like to jump too fast, and to tell you the truth I think it’s a perfect position for me, and I just want to capitalize on what I’m given.”

From the undercard to opening bout on a television broadcast to a featured match on Showtime, Rockhold is working his way up one step at a time, ensuring a brighter future for one of the sport’s premier up and coming fighters.

“I’d like to thank my sponsors: Dethroned, AKA MMA, Full Tilt Poker, Score Clinic and Santa Cruz Skate Shop & Surf Shop,” he concluded. “Come check this fight out, it’s going to be very exciting.

“I don’t see it going the distance. I’m going to keep it fast-paced the entire time.”