Luke Rockhold Signs with Karate Combat for Debut vs. Joe Schilling on April 20

Former UFC and Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold will make his Karate Combat debut against Joe Schilling next month.

Both fighters announced the booking on social media, and it was later confirmed by multiple outlets. Rockhold vs. Schilling will take place at Karate Combat 45 on April 20 in Dubai and will be contested at 195 pounds.

Rockhold’s last combat sports appearance came at BKFC 41, where he fell to Mike Perry via second round TKO in April 2023. Prior to that, he returned from a three-year hiatus in MMA to face Paulo Costa at UFC 278, where he dropped a unanimous decision to his Brazilian foe.

Schilling, meanwhile, hasn’t competed since October 2019, when he suffered a knockout loss to Tony Johnson at Bellator 229. The 40-year-old Schilling, who is also a veteran of Glory Kickboxing, compiled a 4-6 record in MMA.