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Strikeforce ‘Rockhold vs. Kennedy’ Results: Live Play-by-Play & Updates




Sherdog.com will report from the Rose Garden in Portland, Ore., at approximately 8:05 p.m. ET with play-by-play and live results of Strikeforce “Rockhold vs. Kennedy”, which is headlined by Luke Rockhold's Strikeforce middleweight title defense against Tim Kennedy.

Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card.

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Click here for quick results.

Jason High vs. Nate Moore


Round 1
Referee Sean Gregory oversees tonight’s first contest. High starts the night off with a kick to Moore’s lead leg. The American Kickboxing Academy fighter shoots in and High catches him in a tight guillotine choke. Moore’s night is done, as he’s forced to tap just 26 seconds into the first round.

Jordan Mein vs. Tyler Stinson


Round 1
Both welterweights come out in the southpaw stance with Stinson the aggressor, but it’s Mein getting the better of the early exchanges with his counterpunching, left hooks and low kicks. Ninety seconds into the bout, Stinson’s right eye is already showing swelling and a trickle of blood from the left hands. Mein’s head movement is keeping him out of trouble from Stinson’s winging punches, even though the Canadian is standing flat-footed. A one-two- combo from Mein busts Stinson wide open and an uppercut finds its mark as well. Stinson comes back throwing hands, takes a left behind the ear and gives Mein one back. Straight left from Mein gives way to another combination and he turns away a half-hearted shot from Stinson just before the round ends.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Mein
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Mein
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Mein

Round 2
Mein is right back to work in round two, laying two- and three-punch combinations on the already bloody face of Stinson. The American is sneaking through the occasional shot, but Mein is just eating him up in the exchanges. Nice straight left from Stinson momentarily slows the offense of Mein, who stands just out of range and waits for Stinson to throw some more. Stinson gives Mein a light, accidental poke in the eye but Mein says he’s alright. The welterweights trade low kicks and Mein socks Stinson with an uppercut. Stinson hits a takedown against the cage but Mein is back on his feet within seconds. Mein closes out the round with a couple stiff jabs.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Mein
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Mein
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Mein

Round 3
Mein lands a leg kick and comes inside to throw, where he’s met with a counter by Stinson. Right hook from Mein cuts off a combo from Stinson, and Mein keeps it coming with a right hand to the body and a follow-up left hook. Jab and a left from Stinson connects, and now he’s coming forward with some more confidence. It doesn’t last long, as Mein begins walking forward himself and stringing together combinations. Stinson gets the better of one exchange with a wide left hook that clips Mein’s jaw. Another left from Stinson finds the mark, but a pair of long, heavy punches from Mein backs him away. The welterweights trade jabs and Mein goes inside with a leg kick. Stinson lands a leg kick but it doesn’t have much behind it and Mein circles away. Pawing jabs down the stretch from Mein, sprinkled with the occasional power punch. Down to the last 30 seconds and Stinson starts swinging for the fences. He clips Mein with one or two punches but the horn sounds and it looks like it will be too little, too late.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Mein (30-27 Mein)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Mein (30-27 Mein)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Mein (30-27 Mein)

Official result: All three judges score the bout 30-27 in favor of the winner by unanimous decision, Jordan Mein.

Jorge Masvidal vs. Justin Wilcox


Round 1
Wilcox stays on the outside of Masvidal’s punches through the first minute, trying to stick his hands in his rangier opponent’s face. Some snapping jabs get through for the ex-bodybuilder, though Masvidal is scoring with some counters as well. After 90 seconds, Wilcox decides to tie up. He drags Masvidal to the ground and “Gamebred” takes a knee at the base of the fence. Wilcox tries to throw hands as he backs away, doesn’t land much. Masvidal scores with a jab, an uppercut and backs out of the way of a series of punches. Wilcox misses with a jumping knee and punching combo, then has a double-leg snuffed out. Masvidal catches Wilcox leaning in and drops him with a knee. Wilcox staggers to his feet but he’s just turning and running, trying to survive as Masvidal hits him with a head kick and more punches. Masvidal sprawls on a shot and misses by inches with a hard right hand as they separate. Another takedown is denied by Masvidal and he rocks Wilcox again with another knee. Wilcox seems to have recovered by the end of the round, but his punches are coming up short and he takes a shin to the face.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Masvidal
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Masvidal
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Masvidal

Round 2
Wilcox whiffs on a head kick, grazes with a right hand while Masvidal sits on the outside and turns away another double-leg try. Leaping knee from Masvidal misses but he catches Wilcox with the right hand that comes behind it. Masvidal puts together some outside leg kicks while Wilcox fakes a few level-changes. A high kick touches Masvidal’s head and he retaliates with a right hand. Two minutes left in the round and Masvidal snaps back Wilcox’s head with a strong jab. Wilcox is keeping active with punches but hasn’t been able to land anything big with Masvidal standing out of range. Single-leg goes for Wilcox but Masvidal extracts his leg immediately and hops back to his feet. A knee scores for Masvidal and Wilcox keeps swinging hands to the horn without landing much of note.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Masvidal
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Masvidal
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Masvidal

Round 3
Wilcox begins to find a little more success as the final frame starts, tagging Masvidal with a few solid left hands among many combinations. Masvidal lands a leg kick and steps out of the way of two consecutive Wilcox combos. Nice right hand from Masvidal, then he backpedals out of the way of Wilcox’s offense and pops him with a left and a high kick. Masvidal is starting to take control again, stuffing his left hand in Wilcox’s face repeatedly. Wilcox shoots a single, turns the corner and takes Masvidal’s back standing. Masvidal walks over to the cage and has his leg tripped from under him. Masvidal sits with his back to the cage now, Wilcox clinging to his waist in front. Masvidal stands up with 1:45 remaining and Wilcox backs off. More combos miss from Wilcox and Masvidal returns fire with a pair of single punches which land. Masvidal nicely turns away a single-leg in the center of the cage and lands an outside leg kick. Masvidal is finding success with his right hand now and he shuts down two more takedown attempts to close out the fight.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Masvidal (30-27 Masvidal)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Masvidal (30-27 Masvidal)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Masvidal (30-27 Masvidal)

Official result: Judge Ken Barringer scores the bout 29-28 for Wilcox, while judge Glen Trowbridge has the same score in favor of Masvidal. Judge Laura Gregory scores it 30-27 for the winner by split decision, Jorge Masvidal.

Ryan Couture vs. Joe Duarte


Round 1
Couture has a front kick caught and gets socked by Duarte, but he pulls the limb away. Double-leg attempt from Couture on the fence nearly gets him caught in a choke, so he has to abandon the takedown attempt and pop his head free. Duarte comes forward now as both lightweights paw with jabs and Couture scores with a few outside leg kicks. Midway through the round and neither man has secured a definitive advantage as they move around the cage at range. Duarte lands a hard right, catches a low kick and drills him with another punch. Body-head combination from Duarte is follow closely by a running knee and another right hand. Duarte plows Couture to the ground in the middle of the cage with 30 seconds left and Couture immediately throws up his legs for an omoplata. Duarte stands up to get out of trouble and that’s where the round ends.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Duarte
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Duarte
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Duarte

Round 2
Couture grabs a bodylock behind a combo and trips Duarte to the floor, but Duarte scoots over to the fence and is quickly back on his feet. They separate and it’s Duarte coming forward, catching another low kick and punishing Couture with a nasty kick inside. Couture starts to put together a couple jabs, but just as he does, Duarte floors him with a takedown. Duarte lets his man right back up and Couture wants a takedown of his own. Duarte stuffs it and Couture puts him on the fence, where he hits Duarte with knees and punches to the body. They split and get back to trading punches with 90 seconds left. Another takedown try from Couture is denied, but he shoves Duarte into the fence and keeps after it. He drags Duarte to the ground and socks him with a couple punches before taking the back with 30 seconds left. Neck crank won’t go for Couture, so he postures up and drops elbows before going for the submission again at the end of the round.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Couture
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Couture
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Couture

Round 3
Couture hits a knee to the body in the clinch but can’t finish a single-leg behind it as Duarte circles off the fence. Duarte kicks to the body. Couture gets an underhook and shoves Duarte into the cage, can’t do much with the position. Duarte ducks a punch and drives Couture to the floor. With Couture on his knees, Duarte tries to set up a Peruvian necktie but loses it when Couture rolls to his side. Couture powers back to his feet with half of the final round left. The lightweights tie up and trade knees inside before Couture presses Duarte in the cage again. Duarte won’t stay there and pops Couture with a couple punches as he walks him down. Couture turns a Duarte takedown attempt around and trips him down. Duarte stands but gets taken down on the fence again. Armbar attempt from Duarte won’t go but allows him to get back to his feet. Another takedown from Couture with less than a minute to go and Duarte is too spent to get up this time.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Couture (29-28 Couture)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Couture (29-28 Couture)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Couture (29-28 Couture)

Official result: Judge Ken Barringer scores the bout 29-28 for Duarte, while judge Andy Dinger sees it 29-28 for Couture. Judge Nelson “Doc” Hamilton scores the bout 29-28 for the winner by split decision, Ryan Couture.

Pat Healy vs. Mizuto Hirota


Round 1
Hirota gets inside to clinch up and puts Healy’s back to the fence with double underhooks. He takes Healy down at the base of the cage and sits in half-guard on Healy’s left side, socking him in the face with a couple right hands. Healy tries to answer off his back while referee Dave Hagen calls for action. Healy puts a looping left on Hirota’s temple but Hirota gives him a stiff left hand in return. Now it’s Healy putting Hirota on the fence, but Hirota quickly reverses with underhooks. They pummel for position until Hirota circles off and pops him with a left. Hirota scores another takedown, stands and hops out of an ankle pick. Hirota shoves Healy onto the fence again for 30 seconds until Healy gets free. Healy tries to turn the tables but Hirota denies the takedown. Healy lands a nice elbow over the top in the clinch but gets put on the fence again to end the round.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Hirota
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Hirota
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Hirota

Round 2
Healy opens up with a short, standing elbow and takes a left hook from Hirota in return. More standing elbows from Healy lead to Hirota grabbing underhooks and putting the American on the fence again. Trip takedown on the fence from Hirota and he keeps the legs wrapped up as Healy tries to hit the switch. Hirota’s nose is busted up, bleeding from one of Healy’s elbow strikes, but he nonetheless keeps the pressure on when Healy gets back to his feet. Healy reverses on the fence and works some short knees to Hirota’s thighs. Hirota gets out of the position with an elbow and stuffs a long double-leg attempt. Healy keeps after it and plants Hirota on the ground with just under two minutes left in the round. Open guard from Hirota as he tries to push off and get to his feet, but Healy is heavy on top. Hirota is cut on the outside of his right eye as he’s muscled into the cage by Healy, who scores with a pair of elbows before exiting. Hirota lands a couple punches and sprawls all over a double-leg.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Hirota
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Healy
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Healy

Round 3
Hirota ducks a combo from Healy and scores with a counter right hand. Hirota punches to the body and clinches behind it, shoving Healy into the fence with a single underhook and drawing some boos from the pro-Healy crowd. There’s not enough action in the clinch for ref Dave Hagen, who splits them up with 90 gone in the round. Hirota is scoring with left hands and leg kicks until Healy slows the pace with a single-leg. Hirota balances on one leg and socks Healy with his left hand, forcing Healy to change levels and work for the takedown from below. Hirota doesn’t allow the takedown but can’t extract himself from the situation either, and eventually Healy gets his way with 1:40 remaining. Butterfly guard for Hirota now in the middle of the cage while Healy works short punches to the body. Hirota is trying to elbow and palm-strike from underneath but Healy is limiting his offense by grinding on top. Healy stands and tries to take Hirota’s back as Hirota stands, and that’s where it ends.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Healy (29-28 Hirota)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Healy (29-28 Healy)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Healy (29-28 Healy)

Official result: Judge Andy Dinger scores the bout 30-27, while judges Ken Barringer and Junichiro Kamijo see it 29-28, all for the winner by unanimous decision, Pat Healy.

Robbie Lawler vs. Lorenz Larkin


Round 1
The southpaw Lawler fakes a kick and then drives one into the breadbasket of Larkin, who tries a kick up top that’s blocked. Lawler uncorks his right hook behind the ear of Larkin and the “Monsoon” stumbles backward into the fence. Lawler presses Larkin into the cage with an underhook but it’s Larkin who sweeps the leg and sends Lawler crashing to the mat. Hard punches on top from Larkin are mostly blocked by Lawler, who hip-escapes and stands when Larkin tries to pass. Back on the feet, it’s Larkin still in control as he works the clinch and works a few knees inside. Lawler reverses, eats a hook and an uppercut from Larkin, but comes right back with a kick to the body. Lead uppercut from Larkin is followed by a standing elbow and Lawler slows the pace on the fence. Larkin tries some shoulder strikes to make Lawler uncomfortable in the clinch, then grabs the Thai plum and drills Lawler with a pair of knees and an uppercut inside. Larkin lands another knee to the body before the horn.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Larkin
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Larkin
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Larkin

Round 2
The middleweights trade leg kicks and Larkin keeps them coming as he walks forward to start the second. Larkin moves in behind a right hand and delivers a series of knees to the body before Lawler grabs a bodylock and puts him on the fence. Larkin is looking for the Thai plum again, but Lawler throws some haymakers and Larkin backs off. Another clinch on the fence from Lawler and ref John McCarthy calls for action. Lawler changes levels for a single-leg but leaves his neck open for a guillotine attempt. Larkin loses the choke as Lawler flops on the ground, and Lawler regains the outside position in the clinch when they get back to their feet. The ref wants more action and splits them up with 30 seconds to go. Larkin buzzes the top of Lawler’s head with a high kick that cuts the Midwestern veteran open on the hairline.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Larkin
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Larkin
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Larkin

Round 3
Lawler comes out firing and puts a combination on Larkin’s body, then slaps at his ribs with a kick as Larkin moves backward. Another clinch initiated by Lawler on the fence, this time looking for a high single-leg which Larkin spreads out to deny. One-two combo from Lawler seems to have Larkin dazed, but Larkin works his way off the fence and opens up with some heavy shots of his own. A blocked high kick by Lawler draws a grin from Larkin, who rattles off another kick of his own. Larkin gives Lawler a push kick to the gut, then one to the thigh and misses with a big uppercut. Short left hooks from Larkin land as the fight enters the final two minutes. Two right hooks from Larkin are followed by a blocked head kick as Lawler continues to press forward, but isn’t throwing much. Left hook and a right uppercut land for Larkin, followed by a chopping leg kick. Lawler is giving nothing back at this point, just eating sporadic punches from Larkin. A trio of hard, standing elbows closes out the fight for Larkin.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Larkin (30-27 Larkin)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Larkin (30-27 Larkin)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Larkin (30-27 Larkin)

Official result: All three judges score the bout 30-27 for the winner by unanimous decision, Lorenz Larkin.

Roger Gracie vs. Keith Jardine


Round 1
Jardine takes the outside, circling and trying to counter with his hands low. He rushes forward with pawing jabs that miss and Gracie uses the opportunity to clinch up. Seconds later, he’s got Jardine tripped to the floor and sits in the half-guard of “The Dean of Mean.” Gracie works to pass on Jardine’s left side then changes and works on the right. An attempt to mount fails for Gracie, so he grabs for a guillotine choke. Jardine pushes the hands away as he puts his back to the fence. He gets back to his feet, but Gracie trips him back down instantly. He traps the left arm of Jardine and socks him in the unprotected face a few times. Gracie steps into full mount with 70 seconds left in the round but they’re up against the fence and he doesn’t have a lot of room to work. Gracie scoots him away from the fence and creeps his legs up, perhaps looking to peel off for an armbar. It’s too late, so Gracie spends the last few seconds of the round dropping elbows from mount and Jardine is badly cut as he returns to his corner.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Gracie
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Gracie
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Gracie

Round 2
It takes 45 seconds before Gracie brings Jardine to the floor again, behind a wild flurry of punches from Jardine. Another 30 seconds and Gracie has worked his way onto Jardine’s back, with Jardine just gushing blood from his face and forehead. Gracie has a body triangle as he works to break down Jardine from the back, softening him up with short elbows. Jardine’s face is an absolute mess, with tributaries of slick plasma flowing from a large pool between his eyebrows. He tries to twist around in the body triangle but Gracie has him locked down. Gracie lets the body triangle go and moves on top to try an arm-triangle choke, but Jardine gets loose. Gracie is back in full mount with 30 seconds left and drops a couple middling elbows before the horn.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Gracie
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Gracie
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Gracie

Round 3
Jardine thumps Gracie with a left hand to the body and circles away from a clinch attempt. He turns away a shot from the Brazilian and flicks out some awkward jabs. Gracie seems content to stand at range and hike up his knee whenever the shorter Jardine gets near. He flicks out a jab and takes a hard uppercut-right hook combo. The one-two forces Gracie to tie up, but again Jardine extracts himself from the situation. Jardine throws a combo that goes off Gracie’s arms and keeps coming forward. Gracie draws a deep breath, ducks a punch and tries to clinch. He shoots a knee up the middle and Jardine circles out. Down to the last minute now and Gracie gives Jardine a front kick in the guts. Jardine tries to swing a wide right hand and instead eats a stiff jab. One more big right hand misses from Jardine on the backpedaling Gracie before the fight ends.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Jardine (29-27 Gracie)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Jardine (29-27 Gracie)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Jardine (29-28 Gracie)

Official result: Judge Ken Barringer scores the bout 29-27, while judge Andy Dinger sees it 30-27 and Nelson “Doc” Hamilton has it 30-26, all for the winner by unanimous decision, Roger Gracie.

Vacant Strikeforce Welterweight Championship
Nate Marquardt vs. Tyron Woodley


Round 1
Woodley catches a kick below the belt early but the fight goes on without a pause. He slaps Marquardt with an inside leg kick and misses with one high. Marquardt drives forward to strike but it’s Woodley who clubs the veteran with a right hand behind the ear, sending “Nate the Great” staggering backward. Woodley has Marquardt on his knees against the fence as the wrestler tries to take the back. Marquardt works his way back to his feet and eats a knee to the body, then one to the head. Marquardt breaks loose and drops Woodley with a straight right hand. Woodley hops back to his feet, gets caught in a guillotine and rolls free. Two minutes left in the round now and it’s Marquardt fishing for a takedown on the fence. He lands an elbow inside and Woodley is spouting blood from his nose now. Marquardt punishes the body with a left hand and Woodley returns fire with a right. Marquardt walks through it and clinches on the fence, gives Woodley an elbow up top. Nice knee from Woodley when Marquardt leaves his head low and the two get some space. Marquardt chases down Woodley with right hands and Woodley spins to grab a single-leg on the fence.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Marquardt
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Marquardt
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Marquardt

Round 2
Marquardt walks down Woodley to start round two, moving the wrestler around the perimeter. Woodley tries a spinning back-fist and connects with a solid right hand as he switches stances. Chopping inside leg kick from Marquardt and he rushes in with a right hand behind it. Woodley doesn’t want to clinch this time and slugs Marquardt with an uppercut in close quarters before breaking off. An outside leg kick nearly takes Woodley’s left leg out from under him, but he grabs the fence to stabilize himself. Marquardt is just stalking Woodley, popping him with right and left hands at will, then loading up on a three-piece combo before plowing “T-Wood” to the floor. Marquardt has less than a minute to work from Woodley’s full guard, and Woodley gets to his feet with 15 seconds remaining. Woodley blocks a head kick, takes a right hand to the body and he’s looking tired as round two ends.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Marquardt
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Marquardt
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Marquardt

Round 3
Marquardt walks Woodley into the fence, but Woodley rushes forward and tags the former King of Pancrase with a right hand. Marquardt seems dazed as he moves backward into the cage, catching another right hook from Woodley and falling to the floor. Woodley goes down to Marquardt’s full guard and mashes away with elbows and right hands before trying to trap Marquardt’s arm for a crucifix. From the bottom, Marquardt grabs for an armbar which Woodley quickly snuffs out. Ref Dave Hagen doesn’t like the amount of action on the floor and he stands the welterweights back up with half the round left. Marquardt misses over the top with a right hand; Woodley tries to tie up but they’re too slippery. Marquardt initiates the clinch and knees inside, scoring with a few elbows as he comes back to control Woodley in the last minute.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Woodley
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Woodley
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Woodley

Round 4
Marquardt backs Woodley into the fence again and socks him with a straight right, then follows up with a pair of hard right crosses. A front kick and an outside thigh kick from Marquardt find their marks. He tries to go up top with a kick but Woodley blocks it. Another right cross from Marquardt and he moves in behind it to shove Woodley into the cage. He lets go and decks Woodley with a vicious level elbow, follows up with another, a left hook and a right uppercut. Woodley slumps to the ground in a bad way and Marquardt celebrates with a backflip. Nate Marquardt becomes the new Strikeforce welterweight champion at 1:39 of the fourth round.

Strikeforce Middleweight Championship
Luke Rockhold vs. Tim Kennedy


Round 1
Referee “Big” John McCarthy is in charge of tonight’s 185-pound main event. The middleweights parry punches with Rockhold giving chase until Kennedy lands an outside leg kick on the move. Rockhold ties up on the fence and holds Kennedy there for a minute, working knees to the body while he does. They split and Kennedy lunges forward, missing with a punch. Rockhold lands a left and bullies Kennedy into the fence again. Kennedy puts his back on a cage post and raises a knee to block any potential strikes inside. Kennedy gets loose and swings another wild combo, and Rockhold makes him pay with some tight right hands in the pocket. Kennedy reverses the momentum in the clinch and slams Rockhold to the ground, and the champ is bleeding a little from the outside corner of his right eye. Kennedy works to advance position on top while Rockhold turns to his side and frames up a kimura on the challenger’s left arm. Kennedy waits out the arm-lock and passes to side control, but Rockhold scrambles up. Rockhold gets the final word in the round with a ripping right hand to Kennedy’s body.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Rockhold
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Rockhold
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Rockhold

Round 2
Rockhold goes up top with a right high kick and Kennedy shoots low to try a takedown. Rockhold stuffs it and spins to take Kennedy’s back with one hook. The champ tries to put the other hook in as Kennedy stands, so Kennedy goes back to his knees and throws a nice elbow over his shoulder. Kennedy grabs the wrist and turns around, escaping to the feet. Front kick from Rockhold and a right hand behind it has Kennedy circling out. Kennedy tags Rockhold with a wide right hand as Rockhold tries another kick. Rockhold sprawls on a shot by Kennedy by widening his base against the cage. Kennedy keeps pressing the matter but lets go when Rockhold tries to reap the inside leg. A left hand from Rockhold catches Kennedy off balance and he follows up with a head kick. Outside leg kick from Rockhold is countered nicely by a Kennedy right hand. Kennedy changes levels again, a single-leg this time, but is turned away. With his back to the fence, Kennedy tries to ward off Rockhold with a kick, but eats a one-two for his trouble.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Rockhold
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Rockhold
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Rockhold

Round 3
Rockhold attacks with high kicks and Kennedy changes levels to close the gap. Kennedy comes back up to shove Rockhold into the fence with over-unders, but they’re only in the position for a moment until ref McCarthy splits them up. He issues Rockhold a warning for grabbing the fence and Kennedy a warning for a low knee. Rockhold turns Kennedy’s head with a right hook; he’s cutting off the challenger’s angles as Kennedy tries to move and kick along the fence. Rockhold sticks Kennedy to the cage with a forearm across the throat and lands a few punches inside before exiting. Kennedy kicks high, takes a stiff left on the jaw. Another straight left from Rockhold turns Kennedy’s head around. Kennedy ducks a kick and grabs a waistlock, and Rockhold goes to a knee. Kennedy whips around to the champ’s back momentarily, but Rockhold is quickly out of trouble. Kennedy takes the back again with a minute left and again Rockhold slips him off. Kennedy keeps digging for the single-leg on the fence. Rockhold sprawls and turns around to slug with a right hand. A spinning kick from Rockhold gets his back taken again just before the horn.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Kennedy
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Rockhold
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Kennedy

Round 4
The middleweights trade kicks as they enter the championship rounds, with Kennedy attacking the legs and Rockhold threatening high. Kennedy is looking a bit weary as he stands with his back to the fence and push-kicks Rockhold away. A left high kick from Rockhold sends Kennedy staggering back, but the challenger quickly moves forward again and throws a slapping leg kick. Left hand to the body from Rockhold and Kennedy circles out again. A right hook from Rockhold drops Kennedy along the fence and Rockhold hops into full mount. Kennedy gets his leg through to push Rockhold back into full guard. With his back to the fence, Kennedy grabs a guillotine, but Rockhold pops his head loose and stands back up. They tie up on the fence with a minute to go and jockey for position. Kennedy turns the corner and tries to hop on the back of Rockhold, who sits down to shake Kennedy and then puts him on his back. Rockhold finishes the round in side control.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Rockhold
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Rockhold
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Rockhold

Round 5
As the final round opens, they resume the familiar position with Rockhold pushing the pace and moving Kennedy along the outside. Rockhold scores with leg kicks and pawing punches before sprawling on a double-leg try from Kennedy, who instead opts to clinch and knee at the thigh of the champ. A straight left from Rockhold lands square on Kennedy’s jaw and the Army man goes for another takedown. Rockhold grabs the waist and rolls him over, but Kennedy snares a guillotine in the scramble. The choke doesn’t last long, as Rockhold winds up on top, kneeing Kennedy’s body with just over two minutes left in the bout. Kennedy throws a slow left over the top and Rockhold makes him pay with a one-two to the body and head. Rockhold waves his challenger on as he continues stalking. Kennedy takes a little jog before shooting again and being denied another takedown. Rockhold puts him on the fence, fires a knee up the middle and steps away. The fight ends, fittingly, with Rockhold turning away another shot from Kennedy on the fence.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Rockhold (49-46 Rockhold)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Rockhold (50-45 Rockhold)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Rockhold (49-46 Rockhold)

Official result: All three judges score the bout 49-46 for the winner by unanimous decision and still Strikeforce middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold.

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