Rockhold (Photo credit: Esther Lin/Strikeforce)

By FCF Staff

For the second time in just a few months, Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold has reportedly been forced to withdraw from another title defense due to injury.

According to multiple reports, the American Kickboxing Academy fighter will not fight Lorenz Larkin on January 12th as scheduled due to a wrist injury.

Rockhold had been pencilled in to fight Larkin on a November 3rd card in Oklahoma as well, however, the champion was also forced to withdraw due to injury. The event was eventually cancelled altogether due to injuries..

Strikeforce has not made any official announcement regarding the reported injury.

The promotion’s upcoming January 12th card iin Oklahoma City, titled ‘Champions”, was also set to feature lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez. The renowned fighter has also been pulled from the card due to a shoulder injury.

As a result of injuries to Melendez and Rockhold, welterweight champion Nate Marquardt is the only remaining title holder scheduled for the card. The UFC vet is expected to fight contender Tarec Saffiedine.