'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABfAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwYQAAEDBQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQABQYREhMUIQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQYRAQACAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwARBCFB/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwCeeYbdMFw+LeHLv98uUv5JMXy8YyddBHjyTyEpBA2Ca3rVjx9hpDTsy6BxtISsIS1x0Bo87/dUpU9Zx6ZGmAhJ0Y7RfbE6l4Z//9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Luke Rockhold was seen having a friendly clinch exchange with NBA legend Tim Duncan.
Rockhold was in attendance at UFC San Antonio to support his close friend Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera, who lost in the main event against Cory Sandhagen. While hanging out backstage, the former UFC middleweight champion ran into Duncan, a massive MMA fan who enjoys training. They began grappling for fun, and the 38-year-old fighter posted the video on his Instagram with the caption saying:
“Got caught in a scrap backstage with the twin towers”
In the video, the interaction was entirely friendly, but Rockhold had this to say about Duncan’s strength:
“He feels strong as f*ck. Aren’t you supposed to be retired?”
After Rockhold wasn’t able to overpower Duncan, Jason Parillo, the head coach of RVCA Sport, stepped in to handle business. Parillo avoided the clinch, absorbed a friendly slap from the NBA legend, and returned the favor before running away playfully.
It was good to see Rockhold and Parillo having fun as the night didn’t end on a high note. ‘Chito’ couldn't get going against Sandhagen, leading to a split decision loss. The team has to move on quickly to prepare for the former UFC middleweight champion’s next fight.
Watch Luke Rockhold and Tim Duncan playfully grapple at UFC San Antonio below:
What’s next for Luke Rockhold?
Luke Rockhold last fought in August 2022, losing against Paulo Costa to extend his winless streak to three fights. Shortly after UFC 287, Rockhold requested the UFC release him, which they accepted. After considering several options, the 38-year-old announced he had signed with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
Rockhold will make his bare-knuckle debut on April 29 at BKFC 41. The California native is headlining the event against Mike Perry. ‘Platinum’ has found tremendous success since leaving the UFC, including an undefeated BKFC record of 2-0, with wins against Julian Lane and Bellator’s Michael 'Venom’ Page.
Perry and Rockhold aren't the only former UFC fighters competing at BKFC 41. In the co-main event, Eddie Alvarez will make his promotional debut against Chad Mendes, who looked impressive in his first bare-knuckle fight in February 2022. The fight card also features Ben Rothwell, Chris Camozzi, and Bec Rawlings.
