Luke Rockhold is an American mixed martial artist best known for his tenure in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he became a UFC Middleweight Champion. Renowned for his versatile fighting style and striking athleticism, Rockhold has competed at the highest levels of mixed martial arts (MMA).
Luke Skyler Rockhold was born on October 17, 1984, in Santa Cruz, California. He hails from a family with a strong athletic background. His father, Steve Rockhold, played professional basketball in Europe, while his mother, Diana, was an avid tennis player. His older brother, Matt Rockhold, is a professional surfer, further exemplifying the family's sporting lineage.
Luke began training in judo at the age of six but decided to stop four years later. In middle school, he joined the wrestling team at Soquel High School, igniting his interest in grappling sports. Around the same time, he also began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which would later become a key component of his mixed martial arts success.
Rockhold gained international recognition when he won the UFC Middleweight Championship. After transitioning successfully from Strikeforce, where he also held a middleweight title, he continued his rise within the UFC. His crowning moment came on December 12, 2015, at UFC 194, where he defeated Chris Weidman via TKO to become the UFC Middleweight Champion.
However, his reign was short-lived. On June 4, 2016, at UFC 199, Rockhold faced Michael Bisping in what was originally a short-notice title defense. In one of the biggest upsets in UFC history, Bisping knocked out Rockhold in the first round, ending his title run. Injury setbacks and inconsistent performances hampered Rockhold’s attempts at reclaiming championship status.
After taking a year off, he returned on September 16, 2017, defeating David Branch by TKO at UFC Fight Night 116. Despite this comeback, injuries continued to impact his career progression.
In July 2019, Rockhold made a high-profile move from the Middleweight Division to the Light Heavyweight Division with hopes of securing a future title shot against division champion Jon Jones. He faced Jan Błachowicz, then ranked sixth in the division, at UFC 239. The transition did not go as planned—Rockhold suffered a knockout loss in the second round, raising concerns about his future in the sport.
Although Luke Rockhold has never been married and does not have children, he has frequently been in the spotlight due to his personal life. Known for his charisma, model-like appearance, and fighting prowess, Rockhold is often regarded as a prominent figure outside the cage as well.
His most widely publicized relationship was with singer Demi Lovato. The pair began dating in the summer of 2016 and made their public debut together in November of that year. However, their relationship concluded later in 2016 allegedly due to heightened media attention.
| Net Worth 2021: | 3 million |
