Strikeforce
Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza responds to call out from Strikeforce Champ Luke Rockhold
Jul 17, 2012 - 10:30:33 AM Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza responds to call out from Strikeforce Champ Luke Rockhold

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

After defeating Tim Kennedy last Saturday night, Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold said he'd like to face Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza in his next bout. Citing unfinished business with the man he took the title from, Rockhold said he wanted another chance to more decisively finish things against the former Champ.

Souza has a fight on August 18 against Derek Brunson on Showtime, but if he wins that fight, he says he's more than willing to take part in that rematch.

"He challenged me because our last fight was so close. He feels he needs to show himself that he’s able to defeat me," Souza said in an interview with Tatame.com. "If he wants to fight me, I want my belt back. I wanna prove the world that that fight is past and I can defeat him, in five, six or seven rounds."

"I'd go there with a strategy way better than the last one. I won't let him impose his game, which suffocates the opponent. That was crucial for making the judges give him the win."

Both fighters are ready and willing, it'll now be up to Souza to pick up a win, then up to Strikeforce to book the rematch.

Penick's Analysis: It's the fight that makes sense right now for Strikeforce, provided Jacare beats Brunson next month, and good on both Rockhold and Jacare for wanting that fight. Rockhold wanting to prove he's the better fighter is great, and Jacare is more than up for trying to get his belt back, which should make for a fun rematch. The first fight was surprising, and very competitive, and a rematch would likely be as well.