UFC 199 Scouting Report: Luke Rockhold

Name – Luke Rockhold
Current Age – 31
Record – 15-2
Weight Class – Middleweight (185 pounds)
Height – 6’3”
Reach – 77”
Team/Gym – American Kickboxing Academy

Striking 8/10

Dynamic, fluid and powerful, Rockhold is one of the more complete strikers in MMA. He is capable at rage, effective in the clinch and does a great job of mixing punches, kicks, knees and elbows. His defense could be tighter, but overall he is one of the best strikers in the game today.

Wrestling/Grappling 9/10

Between his natural athletic gifts and an intense and competitive training environment with some of the best MMA grapplers in the world, Rockhold shines in grappling exchanges; even against grapplers with significantly more impressive pedigrees. His balance, leverage and timing all play key roles in his ability to control his opponents during exchanges.

Submissions 9/10

When you hold submission wins over fighters like Lyoto Machida and Michael Bisping, it’s clear that your submission game is on point. A black belt in BJJ under Leandro Vieira Rockhold is active and dangerous in all situations once the fight hits the ground.

Athleticism/Conditioning 10/10

Simply put, Rockhold might just be the best pure athlete in the middleweight division; maybe even all of MMA. At the highest levels where technical ability is comparable, the fighter with more physical gifts tends to have the advantage. This is exactly what separates Rockhold from the rest of the division.

Fight IQ 8/10

Over the course of his career, Rockhold has shown a great ability to make in-fight adjustments between rounds; that is a trait that separates good fighters from great ones. Supported by one of the best teams in all of MMA, Rockhold has a deep understanding of the fight game and a tremendous situational awareness.

Overall 44/50