The Aldersley Leisure Village is still buzzing from Thursday’s last-16 carnage, but all eyes are on one showdown: Luke Littler vs Josh Rock – a best-of-31 quarter-final that could catapult the Nuke to world No.1 and leave Rock nursing another near-miss against the teen sensation.
Littler, fresh off a clinical 10-4 demolition of Wessel Nijman (105.38 average, four 100+ checkouts), didn’t hold back in his post-match mic drop. The 18-year-old defending champ turned the heat up on his Northern Irish rival with a cheeky challenge that’s already meme-fodder across darts Twitter.
“He’s gotta be up for it because I’m always up for a good game.”
Delivered with that trademark Littler grin—half boy-next-door, half board assassin—the line landed like a 180 in a decider. It’s a nod to their electric history, but make no mistake: this is psychological warfare wrapped in respect. Rock, who scraped past Connor Scutt 10-9 in a scrappy slugfest, knows the score. “The Nuke” isn’t just defending his Eric Bristow Trophy; he’s gunning for Humphries’ throne.
The quote in full (Sky Sports, 22:15 last night)
Littler, still buzzing from his highest checkout of the night (96 on double 18), leaned into the camera:
“Josh is a tough one, we know that from the Matchplay. But he’s gotta be up for it because I’m always up for a good game. If someone plays their best darts, they might catch me, but tonight felt very good. I have my eyes on everything—the title, world No.1. I know if I get to the final, I’ll be world No.1, so I’m taking it game by game and hopefully Josh and I can have another good game like the Matchplay.”
It’s classic Littler: confident without the cockiness, eyes on the prize without ignoring the pitfalls. And that Matchplay nod? A reminder of their 2025 World Matchplay semi-final thriller (Littler won 18-16 after 34 legs of arm-wrestling agony). Rock hit a nine-darter; Littler hit back with ice in his veins.
Rock’s response: Fire with fire
Rock, shaking his head at his own inconsistency (just two 180s vs Scutt, 92.14 average), fired back on Viaplay NL within the hour:
“Luke’s message? Fair play—he’s the favourite, he’s earned it. But I’m not here to roll over. Last time we played, I gave him everything. This time? I’ll bring more. Up for it? Mate, I’ve been dreaming of this rematch since Blackpool.”
The 23-year-old, who burst onto the scene with a 2022 Grand Slam nine-darter vs MvG, enters as the underdog (world #12, one major title: the 2025 Dutch Darts Championship). But don’t sleep—Rock’s unbeaten in his last five European Tour finals, and his walk-on to “Rockstar” by Nickelback already has the Wolverhampton faithful chanting.
Head-to-head: Nuke’s nightmare fuel
| Match | Score | Venue/Event | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 World Matchplay SF | Littler 18-16 | Winter Gardens, Blackpool | Rock’s nine-darter; Littler’s 112 avg final set |
| 2024 Grand Slam Groups | Littler 5-3 | Aldersley Village | Rock’s 140 barrage; Nuke’s double 16 ice |
| 2023 Players Champ 15 | Rock 6-4 | Hildesheim | Rock’s debut win over Littler |
| Overall H2H | Littler 4-1 | – | Littler: 103.2 avg; Rock: 99.8 |
Rock’s sole win? A gritty 6-4 in Germany two years back. Since then? Littler’s dominance. But Rock’s form dip (missed doubles at 35% this week) is masking a scoring engine that could explode—think his 112.45 average vs Gurney in groups.
The stakes: £25k, history, and the No.1 rocket
- For Littler: QF win = £25,000, semi spot, and a fast-track to world No.1 (final seals it). Back-to-back Grand Slam glory would make him the fourth ever (Taylor, MvG, Price).
- For Rock: Upset = deepest major run since his 2022 breakthrough; £25k payday; and a statement to the “next Nuke” brigade.
- The oche: Best-of-31 legs, Friday 7pm (Sky Sports). Expect 100+ averages, crowd split 60/40 for the home hero.
Bookies’ bite (Paddy Power, 10am): Littler 1/4; Rock 3/1; 9-darter either 7/1. Special: Littler tops 110 avg – 5/2.
TL;DR for the group chat
Copy-paste:
“Luke Littler to Josh Rock: ‘He’s gotta be up for it—cos I’m ALWAYS up for a good game’ ☢️😂
Rematch loading: Nuke vs Rockstar, QF fireworks Friday.
H2H: 4-1 Littler, but Josh’s hungry. World No.1 or Northern upset? Bet now! #GrandSlamDarts”
Bottom line
Littler’s message isn’t trash talk—it’s an invitation to the big leagues. Rock accepts. Wolverhampton’s wired for war: one teen titan vs the comeback king. If Rock rises, it’s a story for the ages. If the Nuke nukes? History’s his oyster. Either way, the oche’s about to erupt.
Want the full 90-second Sky clip, Rock’s Viaplay reaction, or a fan-made Nuke vs Rockstar poster?
