Strikeforce "Destruction": Rockhold Chokes out Theotikos

By: Selina "Dead" Wong Posted On: November 21, 2008 at 10:23pm

After a close call in the opening minute of his fight, Luke Rockhold (3-1) choked out Nik Theotikos (5-1) with a first-round rear naked at Strikeforce: Destruction Friday night in San Jose.

Rockhold came out with a right punch, which Theotikos immediately evaded, catching Rockhold in what looked like a tight guillotine. Rockhold was able to escape, and landed in Theotikos’s guard. Rockhold reddened Theotikos’s ribs with his fists.

They rolled and Rockhold got Theotikos’s back, first attempting the rear naked choke, then trying some ground and pound, but finally finishing with a rear naked at 3:06 of round one.