to fight B.J. Penn. Rocha lost the fight via controversial split decision. The dissenting judge scoring the bout for Rocha drew the ire of commentator Joe Rogan and other members of the press, who cited the 30-27 scoring as "questionable". After his fight with Ellenberger, Rocha hoped to compete at UFC 134 in Rio pending the results of shoulder and elbow surgery. However, further X-rays showed severe damage in both his right and left elbows, leaving him unable to compete for the rest of 2011. He had hoped to return some time in early 2012, but was unable to schedule a fight. After recovering from surgery he moved to the US and started training with team Black House in Los Angeles, California. Rocha next faced Mike Pierce on June 8, 2012 at UFC on FX 3. As well as moving to Black House to train for the fight, Rocha claimed that this was the first time in his career that he had a full training camp leading up to a fight. Originally 2 judges scored the fight 30-27 for Pierce, while the 3rd judge inexplicably scored it 30-27 for Rocha. However, it was later announced that the judge, Ric Bays, had scored the fight for the wrong corner and that Pierce had actually won unanimously. Rocha was released from his UFC contract following his loss to Pierce. After his release Rocha was publicly critical of Pierce for his lack of aggression in the fight, and perceived unwillingness to engage with Rocha. He was also critical of the UFC for releasing him, saying "I had good performances and even so I was cut off. I didn’t expect this.” Championships and achievements Grappling CBJJO Copa Del Mundo −77 kg Blue Belt: 1st Place −77 kg Purple Belt: 1st Place & Purple Belt Absolute: 1st Place Submissao 2009 Submission Wrestling Finalist Mixed Martial Arts Free Fight Alliance FFA European Middleweight Champion (1 time) La Onda Manto Cup Champion Winner Mixed martial arts record |- | Loss |align=center| 9–4 | James Terry | TKO (punches) | Bellator 142: Dynamite 1 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 4:00 | San Jose, California United States | |- | Loss |align=center| 9–3 | Florent Betorangal | TKO (punches) | GMC 4: Next Level | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 1:28 | Gysenberghalle, Herne, Germany | |- | Loss |align=center| 9–2 | Mike Pierce | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on FX: Johnson