UFC Fight Night: Luke Rockhold beats Michael Bisping by guillotine choke in grudge match

LUKE Rockhold has declared he and Michael Bisping won’t “ever be friends” after beating “The Count” in the second round of their main event bout in Sydney.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 08: Michael Bisping appeals to the referee after being cut above the eye by Luke Rockhold in their middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night 55 event at Allphones Arena on November 8, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

LUKE Rockhold has declared he and Michael Bisping won’t “ever be friends” after the No. 5-ranked American stopped “The Count” in the second round of their main event bout in Sydney on Saturday.

Bisping was submitted for the first time in his UFC career, falling by way of guillotine choke 57 seconds into Round 2.

It ended months of trash talk from the pair, who showed there was no loved lost in the build-up to UFC Fight Night in Sydney.

Rockhold admitted post fight he was genuinely angry at Bisping, who labelled him a “lanky piece of s--, among other things in a heated phone conference.

“I was pissed off, I don’t like people talking about my training,” Rockhold said in an interview in the octagon.

Michael Bisping appeals to the referee after being cut above the eye by Luke Rockhold.

“It’s in the past now ... I don’t think we’ll ever friends but I’ve got a lot of respect for Michael as a warrior. He’ll get in with anybody and he works hard and he gives it everything he’s got and I’ve got respect for that.”

A visibly disappointed Bisping, who entered the fight after an outstanding victory over Cung Le, also admitted the hatred was genuine. But the escalating bad blood was all part of a fight build-up.

“To be honest none of that really bothered me,” Bisping said. “Trash talk is one thing ... it makes it entertaining for you guys in the build-up to the fight. Now of course, it was all genuine. I didn’t care for the guy but you’ve got to respect him.

“It’s the way I psych myself up for a fight. If I’m going to come in here and exchange blows, I’m going to have fun with it and congratulations to the guy.

“I felt good. I felt the first round was even and I felt great but he caught me with something and more power to the mother f---er. Well done.

“It’s back to the drawing board. I’m going nowhere.”

Rockhold barely raised a sweat in victory, taking the honours in Round 1, in which Bisping was left with a cut to his left eye.

Initially claiming he was the victim of a headbutt, replays showed Bisping suffered a nick under his eye as a result of an accidental head clash.

Rockhold continued to work the centre of the octagon and delivered kicks to the body of Bisping, who was able to catch or deflect the blows to the body and head.

Early in Round 2, Rockhold delivered a perfectly-timed left kick to the head of Bisping, who fell back and bounced into the cage.

Rockhold quickly pounced, delivering a series of punches before taking the neck of a sprawling Bisping and finishing the choke with one arm.

“I looked to finish whatever way I can,” Rockhold said. “The neck was out completely, so the guillotine’s one of my favourite moves so I went for that.

“I hurt him with the kick and I was looking to set that up, taking my time and finding range and I found it.”

And Rockhold, now 13-2, believes he is the top contender.

Asked which big names stand out of the pack, Rockhold said: “You know what, all respect to Jacare (Souza), but I’ll beat you again.

“I’m the No. 1 contender. And I’ll prove it any time I have to. I’m the best out here and I’ll get in with anybody ... it doesn’t matter.”

Originally published as UFC Fight Night: Luke Rockhold beats Michael Bisping by guillotine choke in grudge match