Rockhold vs. Jacare at UFN 101 on Nov. 26 in Australia

Former UFC middleweight champion Like Rockhold fights Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza in the main event of UFC Fight Night 101 on November 26, in Melbourne, Australia. The Event will also be known as UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs Jacare and as UFC Fight Night Melbourne.

The pair have a history.

Back in 2011, Rockhold defeated Jacare via Unanimous Decision, to take the Brazilian’s Strikeforce middleweight title. Rockhold then successfully defended the title twice, and Strikeforce was acquired by the UFC.

At Rockhold’s debut fight in the UFC, he lost via head kick KO to Vitor Belfort, who was then undergoing now barred and even disgraced Testosterone Replacement Therapy. Rockhold then went on an incredible five-fight win streak, dropping Costas Phillipou with a body kick, tapping Tim Boetsch, Michael Bisping, and Lyoto Machida, and then finally Chris Weidman’s middleweight title in the fourth.

Rockhold then lost his belt to Bisping via being punched in the face, at UFC 199 on June 4. The UFC’s initial post loss-offer to Rockhold was described by the fighter as BULLS***, so the Jacare fight purse was presumably sweeter.

Jacare too has had an incredible run, after losing his Strikeforce title. He won three in a row in Strikeforce, and then five in a row in the UFC. He then lost a highly controversial split decision to Yoel Romero, and bounced back with a first round TKO of Vitor Belfort, which earned him his third performance bonus in seven fights.

Rockhold is currently ranked #1 in the division, and Jacare #3. The winner of their fight will presumably get a shot at the winner of Bisping vs. Henderson II at UFC 203 on October 8, 2016 at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England.

Although the pair are not young (Rockhold will be 32 at the rematch, and Jacare 36) expect the BJJ vs. Surf/Skating matchup to be among the best fights of the year.