Strikeforce middleweight Luke Rockhold (7-1) sustained a shoulder injury over the weekend that has forced him to pull out of his bout with longtime contender and former UFC standout Matt Lindland (22-7), the promotion announced on Sept. 22.
Rockhold and Lindland were scheduled to face each other at “Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Noons II” on Oct. 9 in San Jose, Calif. Their spot on the main card will instead feature a welterweight clash between Tyron Woodley (8-0) and Andre Galvao (5-1).
“The fight between Tyron and Andre is a great matchup between two young fighters looking to take their careers to the next level,” Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said in a written statement. “We wish Luke a speedy recovery and are confident he will soon enough rejoin our growing crop of top prospects.”
The extent of Rockhold’s injury is unkown at this time, Strikeforce said in a press release. Rockhold, who trains at the American Kickboxing Academy, has won all six of his fights under the Strikeforce banner and dominated the competition on the promotion’s Challengers circuit, which features younger developing fighters.