Luke Rockhold vs. David Branch: Preview And Prediction

Combat sports fans are spoilt for choice this weekend as both the UFC and boxing worlds collide on prime time TV Saturday night, with big events that have everyone’s attention, just three weeks after the mega event of Mayweather vs Mcgregor, that saw both sports come together under the same roof.

This weekend, the UFC card in Pittsburgh is highlighted by the return of former Middleweight king Luke Rockhold, while the most anticipated boxing match of the year takes place for the Middleweight WBA title as undefeated Kazakhstani pugilist Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin takes on the biggest box-office attraction in boxing today, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

While I put them together in the preceding paragraph, it’s evident as to which would be the bigger fight come fight night as the UFC Fight Night card has largely flown under the radar of fight fans, given the media deluge over the big boxing fight. But that doesn’t mean that one is less intriguing than the other if you are a true fight fan. One thing is guaranteed, I’ll be alternating screens and watching both fights with bated breath and hoping for great fights all around.

David Branch vs Luke Rockhold

The UFC Fight Night in Pittsburgh this weekend has some exciting fights, but none more anticipated than the return of Luke Rockhold in the main-event. The former middleweight champion of the world has been missing in action, since his upset loss to current champ Michael Bisping over a year ago. In his return fight, he’s set to go against David Branch, a largely unknown fighter in the UFC, but a two-divisional champ under his previous fight promotion, the World Series Of Fighting.

This fight is exciting due to a couple of reasons – a) What kind of shape and skill level is Rockhold in, given the extended layoff and change in camps (he’s trained for this fight outside AKA) and b) Now that the UFC jitters are out of the way, will we see Branch show his true skill level inside the octagon.

Branch, who made his return to the UFC in a rather lackluster fight against Krysztof Jotko, which he won by split decision, is a veteran in the sport and a well-rounded fighter at that. A black-belt under Renzo Gracie, he’s also skilled on the feet with 5 wins via KO. A durable fighter, he’s in elite territory, having gone to decision against the probably scariest puncher of all, Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson.

But, my money is on Rockhold who is as skilled as anyone in the division and has the ability to finish fights everywhere. His dexterous kicks and ability to slip punches while landing his own are excellent, while his ground game is lethal. He also has a giant chip on his shoulder to prove that the loss against Bisping was due more to an off-night than anything else, and will be looking to put away Branch in style, to make a statement.

Prediction: Luke Rockhold wins via TKO, 2^nd round

Watch UFC Fight Night 116 LIVE and Exclusive on SONY ESPN and SONY ESPN HD on Sunday 17^th September 2017 at 7:30 AM

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