The UFC 260 co-headliner discusses his matchup with the former welterweight champion.
UFC welterweight contender Vicente Luque is looking for the biggest win of his career this Saturday, when he faces former champion Tyron Woodley in the newly promoted co-main event of UFC 260.
Luque has won nine of his last ten bouts, although that sole defeat came in his one big step up in competition versus Stephen Thompson. Woodley is perhaps fighting to keep his spot on the UFC roster, having lost three straight dating back to when he ceded his title to Kamaru Usman, and none of his losses have been remotely competitive.
Still, Luque is still wary of Woodley’s knockout power and isn’t downplaying Tyron’s chances ahead of this weekend’s showdown.
“This is a great fight,” Luque told MMA Junkie. “It makes sense for this bout to happen now. Woodley is an ex-champion. He’s not in a good spot right now, but he remains highly dangerous. He has several great wins in his career, and I’m on a new winning streak. I’m hungry to get a title shot.
“Both of us have something to prove. He wants to be champ again, and I want to prove that I can also get there and be one of the most dominant fighters in our weight class. I believe now is the ideal time for this fight. Fans should not miss this one.”
Luque (18-7-1) is coming off a knockout win over Randy Brown, which was preceded by a doctor’s stoppage TKO over Niko Price in a highly entertaining battle. At #10 in the latest UFC rankings, victory over #7 Woodley would see him make perhaps his most meaningful stride yet towards a title shot.
UFC 260 is headlined by a heavyweight championship rematch between Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou.