- Luke Rockhold beat David Branch with a second-round submission on Saturday
- Former middleweight champion Rockhold was fighting for the first time this year
- Rockhold had lost his last fight – and his title – to Michael Bisping in June 2016
- But he looked impresive against Branch, who tapped out at UFC Fight Night 116
Luke Rockhold punched David Branch into submission on Saturday to win the main event at UFC Fight Night 116.
Former middleweight champion Rockhold pinned his opponent down midway through the second round and repeated landed blows to his head and body before the Brooklyn fighter eventually tapped out.
It was Rockhold’s first fight since June 2016 when he lost his title to Michael Bisping.
Luke Rockhold celebrated his return to the Octagon by beating David Branch on Saturday
In his first match since June 2016, Rockhold forced Branch to submit at UFC Fight Night 116
But the 32-year-old Californian looked far from rusty, although it was not an easy fight early on.
Branch began very aggressively, initially catching Rockhold off guard.
Rockhold was clearly hurt in the first round as Branch landed multiple blows to his opponent up against the fence.
The second round saw Rockhold take control though. He took Branch down for the second time in the fight and it proved decisive.
Rockhold swiftly used a full mount which left Branch highly vulnerable.
After pounding away at Branch’s face, Rockhold got onto his opponent’s back and continued his assault for another 30 seconds until Branch finally caved.
Branch started the middleweight battle on the offensive and hurt Rockhold in the first round
But 32-year-old former champ Rockhold seized control with a crucial takedown in the second
Earlier on Saturday, Gilbert Burns beat Jason Saggo with a second-round knockout.
Uriah Hall also won in the second, defeating Krzysztof Jotko courtesy of a TKO.
Daniel Spitz and Mike Perry picked up first-round TKO victories over Anthony Hamilton and Alex Reyes respectively.
There were two split decisions as Olivier Aubin-Mercier edged out Tony Martin, before Justin Ledet got the better of Zu Anyanwu.
Anthony Smith needed three rounds to see off Hector Lombard and there were also wins for Gregor Gillespie and Kamaru Usman.
Rockhold got into a full mount and began to pound away at Branch’s head and body
Branch turned onto his front and continued to take punches before eventually tapping out