After a year off, Rockhold returns against Branch at UFC Pittsburgh

Duel will take place on September 16th (Photo: Disclosure/UFC)

Without fighting since June 2016, when he was dethroned as middleweight champion after being knocked out by Michael Bisping, Luke Rockhold He already has a date, opponent and location set for his return to the octagon. He faces David Branch at UFC Pittsburgh, on September 16, in the United States. Another middleweight duel was also confirmed for the card: the Polish Krzysztof Jotko face Uriah Hall, which has been under pressure with three consecutive defeats.

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Before his most recent setback, Rockhold, 32, had won the division's belt one fight earlier, at UFC 194, with a knockout over Chris Weidman, in December 2015. In Ultimate, he had seven fights, with five wins and two losses. In total, he has 15 positive results and three negative results in his professional record, including winning the now-defunct Strikeforce belt.

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Branch, in turn, has only had one fight in the UFC since returning to the event: he beat Krzysztof Jotko by points at UFC 211, last May. Former WSOF middleweight and light heavyweight champion, Branch, 35, has not lost since 2012, maintaining an unbeaten streak that has lasted 11 fights. He has 21 wins and three losses as an MMA professional.