Vicente Luque
The Silent Assassin
Brazil
Taps out Kelvin Gastelum
Luque defeated Kelvin Gastelum via submission (anaconda choke) at 4:08 of Round 1 at UFC 327 on Saturday in Miami.
ANALYSIS
It was Luque's first fight at middleweight since April 2021. He defeated Thiago Santos via knockout that evening in a bout which came six fights prior to his UFC debut. Vicente had really struggled of late, losing to both Joel Alvarez and Kevin Holland last year and not looking particularly competitive in either. Luque doesn't have a knockout win since August 2020, but a short uppercut early in this one dropped Gastelum and set forth the circumstances which closed the show. Luque's age (34) and recent body of work suggest more inconsistency is forthcoming, but this was a stellar effort in a huge spot. It seems possible middleweight could be a long-term home in the back end of Luque's career.
It was Luque's first fight at middleweight since April 2021. He defeated Thiago Santos via knockout that evening in a bout which came six fights prior to his UFC debut. Vicente had really struggled of late, losing to both Joel Alvarez and Kevin Holland last year and not looking particularly competitive in either. Luque doesn't have a knockout win since August 2020, but a short uppercut early in this one dropped Gastelum and set forth the circumstances which closed the show. Luque's age (34) and recent body of work suggest more inconsistency is forthcoming, but this was a stellar effort in a huge spot. It seems possible middleweight could be a long-term home in the back end of Luque's career.
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Gets new opponent
Luque will now fight Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 327 on April 11, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Luque was originally set to face Kyle Daukaus, but the latter withdrew from the bout for undisclosed reasons. Luque will now receive a more favorable matchup and own a 4.5-inch reach advantage over an opponent who has gone 4-4 since February 2021.
Luque was originally set to face Kyle Daukaus, but the latter withdrew from the bout for undisclosed reasons. Luque will now receive a more favorable matchup and own a 4.5-inch reach advantage over an opponent who has gone 4-4 since February 2021.
Daukaus up next
Luque will fight Kyle Daukaus at UFC 327 on April 11, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Luque's loss to Joel Alvarez in October marked back-to-back defeats for the 34-year-old, and he remains with just one win in the last two years. Momentum will certainly not be in his favor when he takes on Daukaus, who has won both of his previous two fights in under a minute.
Luque's loss to Joel Alvarez in October marked back-to-back defeats for the 34-year-old, and he remains with just one win in the last two years. Momentum will certainly not be in his favor when he takes on Daukaus, who has won both of his previous two fights in under a minute.
Predictably not competitive in loss
Luque lost to Joel Alvarez via unanimous decision (26-30, 26-30, 26-30) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
ANALYSIS
The UFC continues to be reckless regarding the level of competition it matches the aging Luque up against, and he continues to pay for it. He should have been knocked out in Round 1 here. Alvarez hit him in the eye and Luque dropped to his knees in agony. Referee Osiris Maia called the fight off, then allowed Luque to see the doctor and let it continue. The end result was Vicente absorbing a ton more damage, especially in Round 2, before dropping the lopsided unanimous decision. Luque will be 34 years old in late-November and is just 1-3 in his past four fights dating back to March 2024. He's just about out of time.
The UFC continues to be reckless regarding the level of competition it matches the aging Luque up against, and he continues to pay for it. He should have been knocked out in Round 1 here. Alvarez hit him in the eye and Luque dropped to his knees in agony. Referee Osiris Maia called the fight off, then allowed Luque to see the doctor and let it continue. The end result was Vicente absorbing a ton more damage, especially in Round 2, before dropping the lopsided unanimous decision. Luque will be 34 years old in late-November and is just 1-3 in his past four fights dating back to March 2024. He's just about out of time.
Gets new opponent
Luque will now fight Joel Alvarez at UFC Rio on Oct. 11, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Luque was originally slated to take on Santiago Ponzinibbio in October, but the latter was forced to withdraw for unknown reasons. Luque will now aim to secure his first win of 2025 against Alvarez, who has won each of his last three fights.
Luque was originally slated to take on Santiago Ponzinibbio in October, but the latter was forced to withdraw for unknown reasons. Luque will now aim to secure his first win of 2025 against Alvarez, who has won each of his last three fights.
Ponzinibbio up next
Luque is scheduled to compete against Santiago Ponzinibbio in a welterweight fight at UFC Rio on Oct. 11, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Luque will look to bounce back by defeating Ponzibbio, also fighting off a loss. The former submitted to Kevin Holland in June, while the latter got finished via TKO to Daniel Rodriguez in May.
Luque will look to bounce back by defeating Ponzibbio, also fighting off a loss. The former submitted to Kevin Holland in June, while the latter got finished via TKO to Daniel Rodriguez in May.