5 reasons why Luke Rockhold could trouble Paulo Costa

#4. Luke Rockhold's kicks

The American is an extremely powerful kicker. Only Yoel Romero was able to simply brush aside the threat of Luke Rockhold's kicks. However, the former middleweight champion makes liberal use of his kicks.

His size and natural explosiveness render them threatening enough, but the manner in which he turns his hips into every kick to commit all of his body weight into the blow is why even when his opponents block his kicks, they only succeed in injuring their own arms.

As a striker, Paulo Costa moves behind a high guard when pressuring, exhibiting a deeper concern with shielding his head from damage. Unfortunately, this single-minded approach leaves the Brazilian's midsection exposed, which is an ill-advised predicament against a kicker of Luke Rockhold's caliber, least of all because the former champion often targets the body as he digs his shin into his opponent's midsection.

A prolonged assault on his midsection from a kicker like Luke Rockhold will not only severely damage Costa's body, but it will deplete 'Borrachinha's cardio.

---

#3. Luke Rockhold's grappling

While Luke Rockhold's check right hook will serve as an active deterrence for Costa's aggressive approach, there is a likely chance that the Brazilian will manage to successfully close the distance several times during the course of their upcoming bout. However, Rockhold is a layered fighter, and his clinch game will act as a proper counter, even if it does not lead to takedowns.

Whenever his opponents get close enough, the Californian steps in with them, immediately digging for underhooks to secure a bodylock. While the former champion's endgoal is to trip his foe to the ground, which he is well-equipped to do against Costa due to not only matching the Brazilian in strength but also using his superior length and height for greater leverage in the clinch, Rockhold can use the clinch to simply smother Costa's offense.

Any time 'Borrachinha' steps inside, Luke Rockhold can smother his opponent's punches by quickly clinching him, denying Costa the chance to extend any striking engagements.