Luke Rockhold promises to make things 'nasty' on Karate Combat debut in Dubai

Former UFC champion Luke Rockhold puts friendship aside upon his Karate Combat debut in Dubai this weekend, promising he is going to make it a “nasty” night for his opponent.

Rockhold, a two-time world belt-holder who won the UFC middleweight title in late 2015, takes on former Glory Kickboxing champion Joe Schilling in the headline bout at Karate Combat 45, which takes place at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on Saturday night.

Karate Combat is billed as the world’s premier full-contact professional striking league. The event, run in partnership with Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Dubai Sports Council, will be hosted by former UFC champions Georges St-Pierre and Bas Rutten, and Indian actor and film producer Salman Khan.

Rockhold, 39, has held mixed martial arts titles under the banner of Strikeforce and the UFC, and last competed in the latter in August 2022, when he lost by unanimous decision to Paulo Costa. His professional MMA record reads 16-6.

Speaking to The National ahead of his debut, Rockhold said: “Joe Schilling is a champion kickboxer, happens to be a friend of mine. You got to put it aside, though. I like Joe. And you're going to have to try to hurt him, and he's going to have to try to hurt you. It's just business, you know?

“I'm going to be coming for his liver, I'm going to be coming for his head. At 195 pounds, I have all my weight, all of my power. There’s another element of takedowns Joe can’t forget, because I’m going to make this a fight.

“I'm going to make it nasty. I'm not going to play his game; I'm going to play my game.”

Known in his prime for his supreme kicking ability and submission game, Rockhold has recorded notable wins against the likes of Chris Weidman, Lyoto Machida, Vitor