Luke Rockhold-Lorenz Larkin Middleweight Title Tilt Joins Nov. 3 Strikeforce Bill in Oklahoma City

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Luke Rockhold will next defend his Strikeforce middleweight title against Lorenz Larkin on Nov. 3 in Oklahoma City.

Sherdog.com confirmed the news Tuesday with a source close to the bout following a report from MMAWeekly.com. The event is expected to take place at Chesapeake Energy Arena and will also feature a three-round heavyweight scrap between Strikeforce grand prix winner Daniel Cormier and UFC heavyweight Frank Mir.

Rockhold has been perfect in the six-sided Strikeforce cage through nine appearances, capturing the promotion’s middleweight title last September by outpointing then-champion Ronaldo Souza. The American Kickboxing Academy Standout has twice defended his belt this year, finishing ex-UFC talent Keith Jardine in January before taking a unanimous decision from Tim Kennedy on July 14.

Like his opponent, Larkin last competed on July 14, earning a unanimous nod over Robbie Lawler. Prior to that bout, which marked Larkin’s middleweight debut, “The Monsoon” competed at 205 pounds for Strikeforce, posting a trio of victories as a light heavyweight before suffering a knockout loss to ex-champion Muhammed Lawal on Jan. 7. However, that result was later changed to a no-contest by the Nevada Athletic Commission after Lawal tested positive for a banned substance.