UFC Fight Night 35: Luke Rockhold Floors Costa Philippou With Liver Kick

UFC Fight Night 35 is in the books from The Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Georgia, and the card delivered an excellent night of fights for the fans in Georgia. The card’s main event featured a middleweight showdown between Luke Rockhold and Costa Philippou.

The bout started with Rockhold snapping one of his body kicks. He stalked Philippou down and briefly dropped Philippou with a right hand. The action was pressed up against the cage but soon broke. Philippou circled and landed a good hook, but ate a kick. Philippou landed with right hands, but Rockhold followed with two absolutely vicious body kicks that dropped Philippou to the mat, ending the bout in the first round.

It was a wholly impressive effort for Rockhold, who avenges his prior knockout loss to Vitor Belfort by defeating the No. 10-ranked Philippou. He may hold steady at his No. 6 ranking spot, but there’s no doubt that he’s going to get another high-profile bout his next time out.

Philippou will have to go back to the drawing board with two straight losses. He’s a great boxer but he may not be well rounded enough to contend with the best UFC middleweights.

Overall, it was a great finish to a very solid and entertaining night of fights. What were your thoughts on UFC Fight Night 35?

Photo Credit: Scott Olmos for USA TODAY Sports