FORMER MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION Luke Rockhold made a successful return to action at UFC Pittsburgh last night, overcoming David Branch via submission in Round 2.

It was Rockhold’s first fight since losing the title to Michael Bisping last year.

“I’m coming for that belt,” Rockhold said in his post-fight interview.

Georges St-Pierre is due to fight Bisping for the middleweight title at UFC 217 on 4 November, but Rockhold told the Canadian fighter to “back out,” saying: “This is my fight.”

Rockhold added: “GSP, I don’t know what I need to do. You want me to beat some sense into you?”

Elsewhere on the card, Mike Perry, Anthony Smith and Gregor Gillespie were among the big winners.

UFC Pittsburgh Results

• Luke Rockhold def. David Branch via submission (strikes) after 4:05 of round 2.
• Mike Perry def. Alex Reyes via KO after 1:19 of round 1
• Anthony Smith def. Hector Lombard via TKO after 2:33 of round 3
• Gregor Gillespie def. Jason Gonzalez via submission (arm triangle) after 2:11 of round 2
• Kamaru Usman def. Sergio Moraes via KO after 2:48 of round 1
• Justin Ledet def. Zu Anyanwu via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

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