May 18, 2013; Jaragua do Sul, BRAZIL; Vitor Belfort (red shorts) celebrates after defeating Luke Rockhold (blue shorts) during UFC on FX 8 at ARena Jaragua. Mandatory Credit: Jason da Silva-USA TODAY Sports

After losing to Vitor Belfort at UFC on FX earlier this month Luke Rockhold is really set and ready to get back into the octagon.

Luke Rockhold early Tuesday morning took Twitter and called out Michael “The Count” Bisping tweeting

“@bisping u don’t have opponent, I don’t have opponent, u talk sh*t about ‘practice’ I say we set the record straight once & for all @danawhite,”

Luke Rockhold earlier this month lost to Vitor Belfort after one very successful run in Strikeforce. After Strikeforce merged with the UFC everyone was very eager to see Luke Rockhold fight. Many people predicted it would be Rockhold vs. Anderson Silva for the middleweight title since Rockhold was the last Strikeforce middleweight champion but their was a change at hand. Rockhold made his UFC debut at UFC on FX against Vitor Belfort but was unsuccessful in the bout being knocked out half-way through the 1st round.

As for Michael Bisping he is coming off a very successful bout at UFC 159 against Allan “The Talent” Belcher. Bisping later took Twitter also and said that he is unaware of his next opponent and will keep the fans posted on when a bout will be scheduled.

May 25, 2013; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Karl Noons bleeds while being held down by Donald Cerrone during UFC 160 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Last night at UFC 160 Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone took on Strikeforce veteran and UFC newcomer K.J. Noons. Donald Cerrone in all three rounds really took it to the Strikeforce veteran. Noons and Cerrone battled to a three round blood bath and the aftermath pictures of the bout explains on how hardcore the bout was.

Donald Cerrone won the bout via unanimous decision giving K.J. Noons his 1st loss in the UFC and continues his losing streak to 4 straight losses.

At the last UFC on Fox event, Strikeforce tournament champion Daniel Cormier earned a decision victory over former UFC champion Frank Mir, while former Strikeforce Lightweight champion, Josh Thomson, who hadn’t fought in the UFC since 2004, scored an impressive TKO victory over Ultimate Fighter winner Nate Diaz.

Even Gilbert Melendez, the last Strikeforce 155-pound champion, made an impressive octagon debut against UFC champion Benson Henderson, losing by split-decision.

Although most of the imported roster has already stepped foot inside of the octagon, there are a few fighters waiting in the wings. One of them is Luke Rockhold, the final Strikeforce Middleweight champion. Rockhold is set to face former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort, at UFC on FX 8, May 18.

July 14, 2012; Portland, OR, USA; Luke Rockhold celebrates his win over Tim Kennedy in the middleweight championship fight at MMA Strikeforce at the Rose Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

Making his professional MMA debut in 2007, Rockhold has racked up an impressive 16-1 record, with wins over named like Keith Jardine, Ronaldo Souza and Tim Kennedy. Still, the UFC is a different ballgame and Belfort is in a class all of his own.

Belfort is no stranger to facing big-name opponents in the middleweight division. Included in his resume are wins over Rich Franklin, Michael Bisping and Yoshiro Aykiama. In terms of records, this is a classic up-and-comer vs. veteran match-up. Rockhold has an impressive winning streak and has fought the best in Strikeforce’s 185-pound division, but Belfort has fought some of the biggest names in MMA, throughout his career.

September 22, 2012; Toronto, ON, CANADA; Jon Jones (left) fights Vitor Belfort in the light heavyweight championship during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

As for the match itself, it is easy to call this a classic “wrestler vs. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu” match. Rockhold may want to take Belfort to the ground, The Phenom could work some defense from his back.

In terms of striking, the advantage goes to Belfort. For a black belt in jiu-jitsu, Belfort has amazing hands. His knockout power could flatten Rockhold. However, the Strikeforce champion trains at American Kickboxing Academy with the likes of Cormier and UFC Heavyweight champion Cain Velazquez. For all we know, he could have worked on his striking for this match.

Prior to his debut, Rockhold – like every other middleweight in MMA – voiced his desire to challenge UFC Middleweight champion Anderson Silva. If he can get past Belfort, he just might get the opportunity.

How do you think Rockhold will do in his UFC debut? Answer with a comment below or send a tweet to @alstover