Luke Rockhold vs. Michael Bisping Headlines UFC Fight Night 55 In Australia

After a ton of hype and trash talk, the grudge match between UFC middleweights Luke Rockhold and Michael Bisping will finally come to fruition in the main event of UFC Fight Night 55 on November 8, 2014, from the Allphones Arena in Sydney, Australia.

The No. 5-ranked Rockhold was rumored to be headlining a November card in Brazil against former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida, but his beef with Bisping, which dates back to a now-infamous 2012 sparring session, was apparently enough to convince the UFC to book the fight. Dana White hinted at the booking just last night.

Rockhold was last seen defeating Tim Boetsch in a one-sided decision win at UFC 172 in April, his second straight UFC win after a first round knockout of Costa Philippou at UFC Fight Night 35 in January.

Meanwhile, Bisping got back into the win column with a fourth round TKO of former Strikeforce champion Cung Le in the main event of August 23’s UFC Fight Night 48 from Macau. “The Count” had previously returned to the Octagon after nearly a year off following eye surgery to lose a lackluster decision loss to No. 6 Tim Kennedy in the main event of April’s The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) Nations Finale from Quebec City, Quebec.

Bisping recalled Rockhold coming up to him and his father in Macau, and the Brit took offense after Rockhold laid out a bet where he was willing to risk his purse that he could finish Bisping in the first round. Now, he’ll get his chance in April.

With Rockhold looking well-rounded and at the top of his fame, will Bisping be able to shut “Rocky’s” mouth once and for all?

Photo Credit: Joshua S. Kelly for USA TODAY Sports