LUKE ROCKHOLD’S career as an MMA champion has afforded him celebrity romances, designer modelling gigs and even a lost tooth.
But now Rockhold makes another switch as he steps into the world of Misfits Boxing – the celebrity-style home of crossover bouts.
GettyLuke Rockhold was the UFC’s middleweight champion[/caption]
SplashHe even briefly dated pop star Demi Lovato[/caption]
DAZNDarren Till faces Rockhold at Misfits 22[/caption]
The American faces fellow former UFC star Darren Till on Saturday night in Manchester.
Rockhold comes from a talented sporting family with his dad Steve playing professional basketball in Europe and his brother Matt a surfer.
His mum even played tennis but Rockhold chose combat – first training in judo and then wrestling.
After then winning jujitsu tournaments, the Californian moved into MMA and made his pro debut in 2007.
Rockhold would go onto win the Strikeforce middleweight title in 2011 before joining the UFC two years later – becoming champ in 2015.
The handsome hunk soon became one of the faces of the UFC – transcending into the mainstream.
In 2016, he went public with pop star Demi Lovato with the two pictured attending the UFC 205 event in New York.
But Rockhold confirmed the romance with the Cool for the Summer singer was short lived – despite marking their relationship with matching tattoos.
Misfits 22 – All the info
MISFITS boxing is back for an absolutely massive card this weekend.
There’s a massive fight card from the AO Arena in Manchester, with the event starring a mix of UFC legends, Misfits icons – and two TOWIE stars!
Ring of Thrones, as the night has been dubbed, is headlined by a meeting of two former UFC stars in Darren Till and Luke Rockhold.
Former UFC champ Tony Ferguson is also making his debut for the promotion and puts his legacy on the line against Salt Papi, who has impressed in the ring and won his last three fights by TKO.
A packed night sees reality TV star cousins Joey Essex and Demi Sims make their boxing debuts.
Demi’s dad Tony has trained the likes of Anthony Joshua and Conor Benn and is Matchroom Sport’s head coach.
MMA upstart Dillon Danis is also back on the card, as well as Misfits regulars such as Ty Mitchell, Chase DeMoor and Amir Anderson.
Here’s everything you need to know about the night.
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Referencing her hit song, he said on ex-UFC champ Rampage Jackson’s podcast: “We were just cool for the summer.
“I swear to God, we hung out for the summer. Actually, we did get tattoos on the first date.”
The two split in early 2017 and by that time Rockhold has lost the UFC title in defeat to British rival Michael Bisping – who he initially beat in 2014.
But Rockhold continued to be a huge star and in 2018 landed himself a deal with Ralph Lauren.
He became the face of its Polo Blue cologne range – featuring in model shoots and TV ads.
Rockhold even featured at Milan and New York fashion weeks.
In the cage, Rockhold suffered three straight losses from 2018-2022 – signalling the end to his UFC run.
The two-time MMA champ made the shock switch to bare-knuckle boxing in 2023 to fight Mike Perry.
Facebook Rockhold’s dad Steve was a pro basketball player[/caption]
GettyRockhold and Lovato dated in 2016[/caption]
Instagram / poloralphlaurenThe MMA star modelled for Ralph Lauren[/caption]
But it ended in a brutal second-round stoppage loss when Rockhold quit after having his tooth knocked out – something Till mocked him for.
But probed on his decision to withdraw from the fight, Rockhold hit back: “I realised it was a dumb sport…
“I didn’t wanna lose my teeth for a dumb f***ing sport.”
Rockhold bounced back last year with a win in Karate Combat against Joe Schilling before signing with Misfits Boxing.
And he does so with big fights on his mind – including against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
Paul has wins over retired MMA stars Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, Nate Diaz and Perry in his career.
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Mike Perry beat Rockhold in two rounds of bare-knuckle boxing[/caption]
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Rockhold had his teeth punched out by Perry[/caption]
Instagram / lukerockholdRockhold showing off the aftermath of his knocked out tooth[/caption]
And he is now 12-1 with his only defeat coming against Tommy Fury, 26, in 2023 via split-decision.
His last win came in June against ex-middleweight world champ Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 39, to earn himself a No14 cruiserweight ranking with the WBA.
But Paul, 28, is due to return on November 14 in an exhibition bout against lightweight champ Gervonta Davis, 30, amid a FIVE STONE difference.
Rockhold told DAZN: “We’re all trying to chase the big money fights. That’s what it’s all about.
“You’re lying to yourself if you’re not. I like to right wrongs. I like to show who the real fighters are in life.
“And of course, yeah, that’s a fight I would thrive in.”
But first, it all starts against Till as Rockhold embarks on the latest challenge in his colourful life and career.
ReutersRockhold wants to fight YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul[/caption]
GettyBut he must first get past Till[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
