Strikeforce can go ahead and edit the “s” out of the word champions in the title of the organization’s upcoming January 12 card, to just “Strikeforce: Champion(-s).” The card was once to feature three title tilts, but Gilbert Melendez pulled out of his fight with Pat Healy last week. Now Luke Rockhold (10-1) has withdrawn from his championship clashwith Lorenz Larkin and will not be fighting on the card. This is basically the exact same thing that happened to the November 3 card that was cancelled, and according to reports its the same wrist injury that kept him out of the previous fight.
Rumors are spreading that the whole card might be scrapped, but Fighters.com has only been able to confirm the injury to Rockhold’s wrist. Many fans were also wondering why Rockhold wasn’t named in the Strikeforce preview that aired during a boxing match on the network Saturday night. If you are keeping a tally at home, the only championship fight on the card now is a welterweight title fight between Nate Marquardt and Tarec Saffiedine.
The MMA Corner broke the story,
We learned from sources close to the camp of Rockhold that the middleweight champion has suffered a wrist injury and has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled Jan. 12 title defense against Lorenz Larkin. Rockhold and Larkin were previously slated to meet on Strikeforce’s Nov. 3 card, but Rockhold was forced out of that contest with an injury to the same wrist and the entire card was subsequently canceled.
PHOTO CREDIT- STRIKEFORCE
Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold faces Lorenz Larkin on January 12
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The cynic in me wonders if fighters are pulling out in hopes of being ready to fight for the UFC as soon as eligible.
Just put Strikeforce out of its misery already, Zuffa/Showtime!
“Stacked” show no more. Some decent bouts though.
And the hits keep coming for Strikeforce. Ruthless.