Rockhold vs. Branch to headline UFC Pittsburgh in September
Gary A. Vasquez / USA TODAY
Luke Rockhold will face David Branch in the former UFC middleweight champion's return to the Octagon after losing his belt in June 2016, the UFC announced Saturday.
The bout will be the main event of UFC Fight Night 116 on Sept. 16.
A knee injury has kept Rockhold sidelined for more than a year, keeping him from avenging his loss to Michael Bisping in his first defense as middleweight king.
Branch is riding an 11-fight winning streak, most recently taking down Krzysztof Jotko via split decision at UFC 211.
The UFC also confirmed Kamaru Usman-Sergio Moraes, Hector Lombard- Anthony Smith, and Jotko-Uriah Hall for the event in Pittsburgh.