Former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold (16-4, 6 KOs, 8 SUBs) will meet No. 6 light heavyweight Luke Rockhold (23-8, 5 KOs, 9 SUBs) at UFC 239 on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card airs live on pay-per-view starting 10pm ET.
Finally, Luke Rockhold is a light heavyweight. After teasing the move for a couple of years now, the former middleweight champion will make his 205-pound debut this Saturday on one of the biggest cards of the year.
He’s not getting an easy fight to start with: the UFC is throwing him right into the fire with a matchup against the No. 6 Jan Blachowicz. While Blachowicz isn’t a big name, he’s certainly a respected light heavyweight. In fact, the Polish fighter was on the cusp of a title shot until a TKO loss to Thiago Santos in his last outing. Prior to that, he had reeled off a four-fight winning streak that included wins over Jared Cannoniner, Jimi Manuwa and Nikita Krylov.
This fight should tell us a lot about Rockhold’s 205-pound title aspirations. He’s been talking the talk, but if he really wants to be considered a legit contender not only does he have to win, he’s got to do it in impressive fashion.
Let’s take a look at the UFC odds at the online sportsbook break down your best betting values. Live UFC betting is also available to hedge your bets between rounds as well.
Light Heavyweight
Luke Rockhold -190
Jan Blachowicz +150
Fight goes/doesn’t go to decision: +115 / -145
Significant Striking Stats
Landed per minute: Blachowicz 3.5 / Rockhold 4.91
Accuracy: Blachowicz 49% / Rockhold 56%
Absorbed per minute: Blachowicz 3.16 / Rockhold 4.67
Defense: Blachowicz 53% / Rockhold 58%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Blachowicz 1.46 / Rockhold 1.18
Takedown accuracy: Blachowicz 52% / Rockhold 45%
Takedown defense: Blachowicz 53% / Rockhold 68%
Submission average: Blachowicz 0.34 / Rockhold 1.42
Bet Rockhold vs. Blachowicz at the online sportsbook
Rockhold’s offense is something of an enigma: he’s an elite submission grappler without the consistent means to get the fight to the ground. On the feet, his thudding kicks are lethal, but he doesn’t establish much of a flow with his striking. The longtime AKA product always seems to get stunned with monster hits once or twice a fight - fortunately Blachowicz has never been a one-hitter quitter.
The case for Blachowicz is always the same: he out-thinks and outworks his opponents with a well-rounded skillset. Whether that’s beating Cannonier with only a jab, potshotting against Manuwa or nabbing a sub against Nikita Krylov, Blachowicz will keep probing until he finds something that sticks.
Think about it: Blachowicz to win at +150
Honestly, how good is Luke Rockhold? He has an excellent middleweight run to win the championship, but he’s been up-and-down against the 185-pound elite. The AKA product has been knocked out in two of his last three fights - including the notoriously featherfisted Michael Bisping. It’s been over a year since he’s fought, as he’s been rehabbing and doing his usual male modeling thign.
This is a case where a fighter’s name is carrying his value - Rockhold is very well-known throughout MMA circles. But this will be his first time at 205 pounds, and he’s matching up with a very, very cerebral fighter in Blachowicz. Given the Pole’s smart fighting style, we could easily him see him taking a disciplined approach to beating Rockhold in a decision.
Bet UFC odds at the online sportsbook now!
