Strikeforce 'Rockhold vs. Kennedy' Results: Reaction for Every Fight

Strikeforce emanates from Portland, Oregon, with two championship fights live on Showtime.

The main event of the evening is the long-awaited championship scrap between Tim Kennedy and Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold.

The co-main event will be for the vacant welterweight title. Top contender Tyron Woodley welcomes Nate Marquardt back to the cage after a lengthy layoff as the two try to claim the gold.

While there are only seven other bouts scheduled, they are not light on talent. The preliminary card can be seen on Showtime Extreme at 8 p.m. ET (delayed on the West Coast), and the main card kicks off at 10 p.m. ET live on Showtime.  

Main Card

Middleweight Championship: Luke Rockhold (185) vs. Tim Kennedy (184.5) 

Welterweight Championship: Tyron Woodley (169.5) vs. Nate Marquardt (169.5)

Keith Jardine (185.5) vs. Roger Gracie (186)

Robbie Lawler (186) vs. Lorenz Larkin (186)

Preliminary Card

Jorge Masvidal (156) vs. Justin Wilcox (155.5)

Pat Healy (156) vs. Mizuto Hirota (156)

Ryan Couture (155.5) vs. Joe Duarte (155.5)

Jordan Mein (170) vs. Tyler Stinson (170.5)

Jason High (170.5) vs. Nate Moore (171)

Round 1

Rockhold comes forward and Kennedy circles away from the cage. Kennedy tries to counter with a big right that barely misses. Kennedy's throwing wild, but Rockhold is able to avoid and put Kennedy against the cage. The two are slugging away, with Rockhold getting the better of the exchanges.

Kennedy with a takedown.

Rockhold has a small mouse starting to form under his right eye. Rockhold working on a Kimura from the bottom. Kennedy passes to side control. As Kennedy tries to get his back, that space allows Rockhold to get back to the feet. Good body shot from the champion.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-9 in favor of Rockhold.

Round 2

Rockhold opens the round by quickly getting Kennedy's back. Kennedy hits Rockhold with a nice back elbow. Rockhold briefly holds the cage that prevented a reversal from Kennedy. Kennedy lands a nice right, but Rockhold didn't seem affected.

Tightly contested battle between the two top Strikeforce middleweights. Rockhold threw more leg kicks in this round.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-9 in favor of Rockhold.

Round 3

Kennedy puts Rockhold's back against the cage. After a brief stop in the action for a low blow, Rockhold catches Kennedy with a nice right hand. Both fighters are throwing one shot at a time. Kennedy takes Rockhold down and gets his back.

Kennedy has both hooks, but Rockhold gets him to release the hooks and fights to his feet. Rockhold and Kennedy end the round exchanging single shots at distance again.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-9 in favor of Rockhold.

Round 4

Kennedy shoots in, but there's a good sprawl from Rockhold. Nice body shot from Rockhold. Kennedy is still active, but his pace seems to be slowing slightly. Kennedy still is having a hard time getting in range.

Rockhold drops Kennedy with a big right and gets on top. Kennedy gets back to his feet after a fast recovery. Kennedy tries an arm-triangle from the bottom but never had proper position.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-9 in favor of Rockhold.

Round 5

Rockhold continues to be the aggressor. Kennedy is unable to counter because of the reach. Nice straight left from the champion. Kennedy attempting a takedown, but Rockhold defending well. A scramble ensues that finishes when Rockhold gets Kennedy on his butt.

Kennedy back to his feet.

Kennedy shoots in again, but Rockhold is able to defend, reverse position and break away. Rockhold has been just a step above Kennedy tonight.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-9 in favor of Rockhold (50-45 Rockhold).

Rockhold defeats Kennedy by unanimous decision (49-46) to retain the Strikeforce middleweight championship.

Kennedy is a solid fighter and pushed Rockhold, but he was just a step behind in every round. Rockhold continues to improve with each camp at AKA and looks to be a for-sure top-10 talent across all promotions.

What is next for him in Strikeforce is unknown, but his continued improvement makes him an interesting fighter to watch in the future.

Round 1

Woodley out strong—big shot by Woodley, and he rushes Marquardt, who clinches. Woodley has his back. Marquardt gets back to his feet. Marquardt puts Woodley down briefly with a shot. Locks in a guillotine, but rolls out.

Marquardt pressuring Woodley now.

Marquardt comes in and Woodley lands a nice short left. Clean elbow in the clinch from Marquardt. Knee from Woodley. Marquardt lands a right. A lot of action early on.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-9 in favor of Marquardt.

Round 2

Spinning back fist lands from Woodley. Nice leg kicks from Marquardt. Woodley tries a takedown, but Marquardt defends. Marquardt moving forward and pressuring Woodley for the majority of the round. Huge spinning back kick to the midsection by Marquardt. Straight right by Marquardt and takes down Woodley.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-9 in favor of Marquardt.

Round 3

Woodley firing away to open the round and drops Marquardt. Woodley grounding and pounding away. Marquardt cleared the cobwebs and regained some control. Referee restarts the fight for reasons only known to him. Marquardt moving forward again. Marquardt closes the round strong.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-9 in favor of Woodley.

Round 4

Marquardt lands another straight right...and lands a combination. Big right from the former UFC title challenger. Solid elbow from the clinch followed by a beautiful combination for the knockout.

Marquardt defeats Woodley by knockout at 1:39 of the fourth round to become the Strikeforce welterweight champion.

A very good title fight with back-and-forth action, but Marquardt certainly got the better of the fight. Closed out the fight with a sick combination KO. After all of the TRT controversy, he returned to show he is still one of the best mixed martial artists in the world today.

Round 1

Gracie is tall for 185 lbs. Jardine rushes in and Gracie puts him on his back for his troubles. Jardine is able to keep Gracie from improving his position so far. Jardine uses the cage to get back to his feet. Gracie gets him back down and is in half-guard. Gracie had Jardine's left arm trapped and mounted. Gracie working methodically. Jardine is cut as the round ends.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-9 in favor of Gracie.

Round 2

Jardine gets aggressive again, and Gracie takes him down. Gracie takes his back, but Jardine keeps the hooks out. Gracie gets one. Gracie gets a body triangle to maintain position.

Blood is getting everywhere.

Jardine is defending well. Gracie gets an arm-triangle, but Jardine slips out and Gracie is mounted. Dominant round.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-8 in favor of Gracie.

Round 3

Jardine is more reserved to open the third. Gracie's reach is a problem for Jardine. He is unable to close the distance and utilize his striking. Nice left by Jardine. Gracie clinches, but Jardine gets out. Gracie goes for a knee in the clinch, but it just misses. Jardine simply cannot get inside to land significant strikes.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-9 in favor of Jardine (29-27 Gracie).

Gracie defeats Jardine by unanimous decision (29-27, 30-27, 30-26).

Gracie looked good early but faded late. Cardio will need to be addressed as the middleweight prospect moves forward. Gracie was unable to finish, but a win against a veteran like Jardine will go a long way in his progression as a fighter. As for Jardine, it is time for him to start taking paychecks using his "UFC veteran" status on the regional circuit.

Round 1

Lawler lands a big right and Larkin is hurt. Larkin lands a knee to the midsection. Working in the clinch against the cage. Larkin trips Lawler down and working ground and pound. Lawler gets back to his feet, and this time Larkin has Lawler pressed to the cage.

Larkin unleashes some big shots, but Lawler was covered up. Lawler's stalking him. Big uppercut by Larkin. Uppercuts and knees from Larkin...and another big uppercut. The round closes after a nice knee to the midsection by Larkin.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-9 in favor of Larkin.

Round 2

Both men throw a front kick to open the round. Larkin is doing the stalking in this round. Larkin throwing in bunches, but Lawler covers up nicely to avoid damage. Lawler pressures Larkin against the cage. Lawler looking for a takedown, but Larkin not allowing it. Larkin almost had a guillotine, but Lawler scrambles out.

McCarthy separates the two middleweights after inactivity against the cage. Larkin cuts open Lawler with a big high kick.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-9 in favor of Larkin.

Round 3

Lawler knows he needs to finish and is pushing the pace. Lawler unloading against the cage, but Larkin covers up. Lawler looking for the takedown but Larkin defending. Lawler landing shots after they break. Larkin misses a spinning back fist. Big head kick from Lawler is partially blocked. Lawler looking to counter. Nice left from Lawler. Larkin is the one coming forward in the final minute. Larkin with a combination to close the fight.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-9 in favor of Larkin (30-27 Larkin).

Larkin defeats Lawler by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Larkin looked fantastic at middleweight—definitely the right weight class for him. Lawler was unable to finish in the first, and he never was able to catch Larkin again. He was also never able to get the fight to the mat. This is a significant win for Larkin in his middleweight debut, and it will be nice to watch him compete again at 185 lbs.

Round 1

Hirota opens up with a nice looping punch. Hirota clinches and forces Healy to the cage. Hirota gets Healy down. Hirota with some nice punches on the ground as Healy tries to work his way back up.

The referee stands them up for an unknown reason.

Hirota with a nice shot on Healy. This time Healy has Hirota against the cage, but Hirota switches the position. Healy with a shot but is unable to complete it against Hirota. Hirota is impressing with his grappling. The round closes with Healy against the fence.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-9 in favor of Hirota.

Round 2

Healy comes out and closes the distance immediately. Hirota clips Healy, and Healy answers with a nice elbow. Healy having short-lived success with the Thai clinch. Hirota with a takedown. Hirota is busted open. Healy pressing Hirota against the cage.

Healy shoots from a long way out but is able to complete it. Healy is staying glued to Hirota as he searches for a way up. Hirota gets back up. Healy exits the clinch with an elbow. Healy shoots in, but Hirota sprawls nicely.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-9 in favor of Healy.

Round 3

Healy lands a nice right to open the third. In the clinch again. Hirota has a body lock on Healy, but cannot do anything with it. The referee separates them. Both men landing at range. Healy walks Hirota back to the cage.

The Portland native looks for a takedown, but Hirota is making it difficult to complete. And Hirota finally is on his back. Hirota pushes off and gets back to his feet. Hirota with a nice combination, but Healy answers with a takedown.

Final minute and it is anyone's fight. Healy closes the round on Hirota's back.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-9 in favor of Healy (29-28 Healy).

Healy defeats Hirota by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).

I am not sure about that 30-27 card. Well, I am sure. It was terrible. Not a pretty fight, but Healy came away with the victory and continues his trek to the lightweight title shot. Even in the loss, Hirota had a coming-out party in his U.S. debut. A tough, grinding fight.

Round 1

Duarte catches a kick and answers with a punch. Couture trying to take down Duarte and gets caught in a choke. Couture gets out and keeps pressing Duarte against the cage. Fighters are back to range. Couture continues to circle as both men seem to be gauging the distance. Duarte goes to the body. Duarte tries a flying knee, but it's blocked. Nice body kick from Couture, and Duarte gets a takedown.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-9 in favor of Duarte.

Round 2

Couture lands some nice punches, clinches and takes Duarte down. Duarte gets back up, but Couture stays with him initially. Nice leg kick by Duarte. Couture starting to utilize his reach with a jab. Duarte trips Couture down, but allows him back up.

Couture shoots, stuffed and working in the clinch. Couture attempts another takedown, gets Duarte against the cage and completes it. Couture takes his back. Rear-naked choke attempt, but can't finish. Ground and pound to close the round.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-9 in favor of Couture.

Round 3

Big knee by Couture to Duarte's midsection. Couture looks more confident after how he closed Round 2. Couture clinches, pushes Duarte against the cage but stuggles to take him down. Duarte times a shot well and gets Couture down.

Duarte tries the Peruvian Necktie, but Couture slips out.

Couture back to his feet and almost get a lateral drop. Couture pushes Duarte against the fence. Duarte tries to trip Couture down, but he almost ends up on bottom. Couture with a takedown. Duarte throws up a triangle and Couture stacks him.

Back to their feet again.

Knee by Couture connects to the face of Duarte. Another takedown by Couture. Couture closes the round strong.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-9 in favor of Couture.

Couture defeats Duarte by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).

As Duarte faded, Couture continued to pressure him and grind out the decision. Couture is still growing as a fighter, but he has been offering up some fun scraps inside the Strikeforce cage. When he is able to get the fight to the mat, he has a good submission game with quality ground and pound.

It is nice to see Strikeforce continue to match him up with other fun fighters as he progresses in MMA.

Round 1

Masvidal being cautious to open, Wilcox pushing the action. Wilcox lands a clean jab. Wilcox shoots in and gets Masvidal down very briefly. He is still attached to Masvidal's back and trying to bring him down. Masvidal fights free and lands an uppercut when they get back to striking. Masvidal barely misses with the knee as Wilcox comes in.

Big knee by Masvidal. Wilcox trying to run away to avoid the onslaught. Wilcox has survived momentarily. Another knee by Masvidal.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-9 in favor of Masvidal.

Round 2

Wilcox shoots in and defended easily by Masvidal. The American Top Team lightweight is able to keep the distance with his boxing. Wilcox lands a head kick. The distance is a big problem for Wilcox. Masvidal only throwing one punch at a time, but landing. Wilcox gets a quick takedown, but Masvidal slips back up to his feet. Another knee by Masvidal.

Extremely close round. It will depend on what the judges value.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-9 in favor of Masvidal.

Round 3

More of the same to open the third frame. Wilcox tries to close the distance but is unable to land much. Masvidal is happy to counter. Wilcox ducks a punch and shoots in. After a short struggle, he has Masvidal down against the cage. Masvidal gets back to his feet. Masvidal defends and counters. Unsure of how this will look to the judges.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-9 in favor of Wilcox (29-28 Masvidal).

Masvidal defeats Wilcox by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27).

Masvidal looked good, but he almost gave the fight away by choosing to counter and defend. His game plan in the final two rounds gave the opportunity for Wilcox to look much better in the eyes of the judges by moving forward and throwing. Thankfully, two of the three judges saw the fight correctly.

Moving forward, Masvidal needs to be careful about letting his opponents off the hook.

Round 1

Mein opens up with quick punches that connect. Mein is accurate with his strikes early. Stinson lands a nice jab. Stinson is already bleeding under his right eye from Mein's punches. Mein tags him again...and again. No takedown attempts in this round. Mein dominant on the feet.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-9 in favor of Mein.

Round 2

Mein throws a low leg kick at the beginning of Round 2. Combination by Mein, and then another left. And another combination lands for the Canadian. Stinson lands a left on Mein. Mein changing levels with his striking.

Throwing more body shots this round. Mein lands more, but Stinson responds with a takedown. Mein gets right back up. Mein has blood running from his nose. Stinson looking better but still cannot find the answer.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-9 in favor of Mein.

Round 3

Stinson comes forward to open the round, but is unable to land anything. Mein continues with the combinations. Mein upping the pace a little bit. Stinson comes forward, but Mein responds with strikes that forces Stinson to back up. Mein is cruising on his feet. Mein touching him up with jabs as the clock ticks down. They trade as the horn sounds.

Bleacher Report scored the round 10-9 in favor of Mein (30-27 Mein).

Mein defeats Stinson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Mein is a solid prospect at 170 lbs. He has grown a lot in recent years, but it would be nice to see Strikeforce continue to test his wrestling. His last two losses have come against Jason High and Tyron Woodley.

If he can fix that hole in his game, he will be dangerous at welterweight.

Round 1

Expected to be on the Showtime Extreme undercard, this fight was moved to be an un-aired preliminary bout.

High defeats Moore via submission (guillotine choke) at :26 of the first round.

It would be nice for Strikeforce and Showtime to show this fight later tonight on either of their broadcasts, but I've lost almost all faith with these two companies. All that aside, it is nice to see Jason High pick up a victory after a lengthy time away from the cage.