The third fight of the night at Strikeforce Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Rockhold is a middleweight title fight: Ronaldo Souza vs. Luke Rockhold. Middleweight is 185 pounds. This bout is scheduled for five, five-minute rounds. The referee in charge of the action is Dan Miragliotta.
Follow me on Twitter: @SBNLukeThomas
ROUND 1 - Rockhold comes out southpaw, Jacare as a righty. Jacare's shot is stuffed, but lands a right on the escape and uses it to get a takedown as Rockhold tries to stand. Jacare lands several hard right hands as Rockhold stands with his face undefended. Rockhold briefly stands, but Jacare yanks him back down. Jacare lands a knee from the side as Rockhold stands again. Jacare blocks a head kick and lands a right hand of his own. Rockhold lands his own middle and leg kick. Rockhold lands a nice punch and hurts Jacare, but Jacare briefly gets Rockhold to the floor.
MMA Nation scores this round 10-9 Souza.
ROUND 2 - Rockhold opens with kicks, most of which are blocked or avoided. Right hand from Jacare hurts Rockhold and he's reeling. He recovers as Jacare presses him into the fence. Elbow now from Jacare. Rockhold continues to throw several blocked kicks, but can't connect with anything. Both fighters exchange punches, Jacare generally getting the better of it.
MMA Nation scores this round 10-9 Souza.
ROUND 3 - Rockhold lands a left straight to start the round. Jacare absorbs a groin kick and the bout is temporarily stopped. Rockhold doing the stalking, but Jacare tries to grab a single and trips Rockhold to the mat. Rockhold able to stand. Rockhold now switching stances. Rockhold throwing single strikes, lands one punch. Hard inside leg kick from Jacare. Rounds ends with Rockhold stalking.
MMA Nation scores this round 10-9 Rockhold.
ROUND 4 - Right hand from Jacare to start the round. Left hand by Rockhold. Rockhold drives forward with a combination, but doesn't land much. Right hand by Jacare. Jacare clinches, but they both jockey for position along the fence. They separate. Jacare presses Rockhold into the fence and changes levels for a takedown, but Rockhold able to stand. Rockhold lands a body kick. Rockhold stuffs a takedown attempt from Jacare.
MMA Nation scores this round 10-9 Rockhold.
ROUND 5 - Rockhold back to stalking. Left hand connects for Rockhold. Jacare throws a right to back Rockhold into the fence. Jacare looks to land the trip takedown and gets it. Rockhold able to stand lands several punches. Right hand now for Jacare. Middle kick from Rockhold. The two end the round exchanging punches.
MMA Nation scores this round 10-9 Souza and the fight 48-47 Souza.
Strikeforce results: Luke Rockhold defeats Ronald Souza by unanimous decision (50-45, 48-47).