MMA News Forums - Strikeforce champ Luke Rockhold vs. 'Jacare' Souza rematch likely up next

Strikeforce champ Luke Rockhold vs. 'Jacare' Souza rematch likely up next

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The former titleholder wants a shot at the man who took his belt, and that reigning champion, Luke Rockhold, apparently wants the fight too.

"To me, I'd like to see that fight happen," Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said. "I know 'Jacare' would like that fight to happen. Luke's looking for that fight, so I think it'd be an easy fight (to book)."

Souza's latest win came at Valley View Casino Center in San Diego. In Saturday's Showtime-televised co-headliner, the submission specialist notched his first career knockout win when he stopped wrestler Derek Brunson (9-2 MMA, 3-1 SF) with punches in just 41 seconds.

Souza (16-3 MMA, 6-1 SF) is now 2-0, which included a third-round submission victory over Bristol Marunde in March, since that title loss.

He and Rockhold (10-1 MMA, 9-0 SF) first met this past September. Rockhold edged the then-champion via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 50-45) in a very evenly matched and competitive bout.

Since then, Rockhold has posted successful title defenses over Keith Jardine and Tim Kennedy with relative ease.

"I'm very prepared for anyone anytime," Souza said after his latest win. "I'm here for fights. I'm a former Strikeforce middleweight champion, and I'm coming back for more."

Coker admitted the performance will get the company executives talking.

"I think he looked pretty good, and I know Luke wanted to fight him," Coker said. "We'll start talking to 'Jacare's' camp right away. (Strikeforce matchmaker) Sean (Shelby) and I, we really haven't had a chance to talk, though. ... Give us a day or so."

Strikeforce champ Luke Rockhold vs. 'Jacare' Souza rematch likely up next | MMAjunkie.com

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'Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman' results: 'Jacare' Souza KOs Derek Brunson in 41 seconds

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Strikeforce's co-main event lasted a mere 41 seconds.

While known mostly for his submission prowess, former middleweight champion Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza put his striking on display in a quick first-round knockout of Derek Brunson.

The middleweight bout co-headlined Saturday's "Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman" event at Valley View Casino Center in San Diego. It aired on Showtime following a preliminary card on Showtime Extreme.

The bout proved a rather quick and one-sided affair.

When Brunson moved in with a left hook, Souza quickly countered with a right that set up the victory. Brunson fell face first into the canvas, and Souza only tagged him again when the wrestler stumbled back to his feet. But Souza tagged him again and sent him to the mat for good.

A few follow-up punches forced the referee's intervention less than a minute into the fight.

'Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman' results: 'Jacare' Souza KOs Derek Brunson in 41 seconds | MMAjunkie.com