Round 1: Rockhold takes the center of the cage and inches forward. Philippou circles on the outside. Rockhold lands a kick to the body. Rockhold lands a counter right hand that knocks Philippou down. Philippou quickly gets to his feet. They briefly clinch and then separate. Philippou moves in with a right hand. Rockhold fires off a high kick that partially lands. Rockhold lands a kick to the body. He delivers another one that crumbles Philippou. Rockhold moves in and lands a kick to the body of the downed Philippou and the referee steps in to stop it.
The official time of the technical knockout was 2:31 of the opening round.