Tag: Vicente Luque

Vicente Luque vs. Belal Muhammad 2 – Staff Predictions

Vicente LuqueThis weekend the UFC returns to the Apex Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, bringing with it an electric welterweight rematch between two top contenders. When Belal Muhammad and Vicente Luque first clashed, back in 2016, ‘The Silent Assasin’ made short work of his opponent. Luque knocked Muhammad out cold in round one of their first […]

Vicente Luque

This weekend the UFC returns to the Apex Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, bringing with it an electric welterweight rematch between two top contenders.

When Belal Muhammad and Vicente Luque first clashed, back in 2016, ‘The Silent Assasin’ made short work of his opponent. Luque knocked Muhammad out cold in round one of their first UFC octagon meeting. However, ‘Remember The Name’ now has the chance to live up to his moniker and take his revenge on the hard-hitting Brazilian.

Will history repeat itself in another Luque KO victory? Or will Muhammad manage to turn the tables and show just how much he has developed since their first fight? Let’s see what the LowKickMMA staff have to say:

Vicente Luque vs. Belal Muhammad 2

Frank Bonada

As much as Muhammad has impressed over the past few years, I simply find it incredibly hard to bet against Vicente Luque. ‘The Silent Assasain’ is such a dangerous individual inside the octagon, perfectly showcased in the first fight with Muhammad. However, upon diving deeper into this matchup, it is considerably more intriguing than it initially appeared. Muhammad’s wrestling game was on full display against ‘Wonderboy’ in his most recent UFC appearance, and this could well be another avenue for him to exploit against Luque. A counter-argument could be made that Luque’s dangerous submission game could work as a deterrent, but Muhammad has never been submitted in his entire career. Ultimately I will go with a Luque KO/TKO victory later in the fight, but Muhammad is certainly a live dog in this one.

Ross Markey

Both Vicente Luque and Belal Muhammad have come on leaps and bounds since their November 2016 clash it must be said. The pair have since accumulated so much more Octagon experience — against a range of high-level, championship-caliber opponents to boot. Luque, in particular, has a knack for finishes throughout his tenure with the organization – displaying his grappling ability in his two most recent wins. That new edge to his game – paired with his grit and striking makes him good value for me to land a second career win over Muhammad at UFC Vegas 51.

Makoa Goble

This weekend fight fans are highly anticipating the interesting rematch between Vicente Luque and Belal Muhammad. The pair first fought in 2016, and both have steadily climbed the rankings and made significant improvements to their game. Expect this one to be a war. With Luque fighting, things can end in an instant. However, on paper, everything points to this one going the distance and being a very tough contest. Although it’s hard to choose, you could say Luque will win via decision. Don’t be surprised if it ends up going the other way though, or if the fight ends via finish!

Patrick Post

I’m picking Vicente Luque. He’s got the clear advantage in the striking which Belal is going to have a hard time dealing with. If Belal looks to utilize his wrestling/takedowns it could leave him vulnerable to submission attempts from Luque. Chiesa left his neck open for a second and Luque snatched it up! Luque by submission.

Lewis Simpson

‘Im taking Vicente Luque to leave victorious again. I feel Luque is really one of the most underrated and appreciated in the division. A statement victory over a durable Muhammad could potentially be a coming-out party for the Brazilian. Muhammad’s last and only stoppage loss came to Luque, which would leave you with a pinch of self-doubt even as a mentally strong individual. Overall, I think the bout will be fought at a grueling pace, with Muhammad landing several takedowns and controlling the action. Luque has shown an excellent will to get back to his feet in the past, and I think that will be the difference-maker. Muhammad may struggle over 25-minutes to keep the fight on the mat, but once Luque has the freedom to pick his openings and dive into the toolbox, he will capitalize on the shot selection, like in the first bout. Luque by stoppage.

Raul Arent

I got Belal. I believe He learned his lesson last time. He won’t want to be in a striking match again with Luque. I think he looks to take this to the ground where he squeezes out a win on the Judge’s scorecards after 5 rounds.

What’s your prediction for this welterweight rematch?

Vicente Luque vs. Belal Muhammad 2 Set To Headline On April 16

Vicente LuqueTwo of the best at welterweight, Vicente Luque and Belal Muhammad, will square off in the main event of the UFC’s April 16 card according to a report from Brett Okamoto of ESPN. “Vicente Luque (@VicenteLuqueMMA) vs. Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) will headline UFC Fight Night on April 16, per sources,” Okamoto wrote on social media. […]

Vicente Luque

Two of the best at welterweight, Vicente Luque and Belal Muhammad, will square off in the main event of the UFC’s April 16 card according to a report from Brett Okamoto of ESPN.

“Vicente Luque (@VicenteLuqueMMA) vs. Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) will headline UFC Fight Night on April 16, per sources,” Okamoto wrote on social media. “Ranked Nos. 4 and 5 in the UFC, respectively. Rematch of a fight that took place in 2016, which Luque won via TKO. An impactful one for the division.”

As mentioned above, this will be a rematch of a fight that went down in 2016. On that occasion, Luque caught Muhammad with a lead left hook and dropped him before following up with ground strikes for the first-round TKO win.

Since then, Luque has gone 10-2 in the UFC and has only suffered defeats against Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson and Leon Edwards. ‘The Silent Assassin‘ is currently riding a four-fight win streak that includes victories over Michael Chiesa and Tyron Woodley.

Muhammad has been just as impressive since his first fight with Luque. ‘Remember The Name’ has picked up 10 wins with one defeat since then and is currently riding a six-fight win streak that includes high-profile victories over Thompson and Demian Maia.

Who do you think will win on April 16? Vicente Luque or Belal Muhammad?

Vicente Luque vs. Belal Muhammad To Headline April 16 UFC Card

Ranked welterweights Vicente Luque and Belal Muhammad are set to meet in the main event of UFC’s April 16th card.

The five-round matchup between top welterweights was first reported by Brett Okamoto of ESPN on Tuesday. It’s expected to headline a F…

Belal Muhammad, Vicente Luque

Ranked welterweights Vicente Luque and Belal Muhammad are set to meet in the main event of UFC’s April 16th card.

The five-round matchup between top welterweights was first reported by Brett Okamoto of ESPN on Tuesday. It’s expected to headline a Fight Night card that doesn’t have a confirmed location at the moment.

The matchup allows the welterweight division to come one step closer to finding the next challenger for current champ Kamaru Usman. Luque is currently ranked at #4 in the division, with Muhammad listed just behind him.

While Leon Edwards has been unofficially targeted to be Usman’s next opponent, a standout performance from Luque or Muhammad in April could line themselves up for being next for the winner.

Luque, Muhammad To Test Win Streaks

Vicente Luque
Image Credit: Getty Images / Michael Reaves

Luque is currently on a four-fight winning streak that has been in development over the past two years. His most recent appearance was in August, where he secured a first-round submission victory over Michael Chiesa.

Prior victories from Luque include wins over notable names like former champ Tyron Woodley and divisional vet Randy Brown. His UFC career has been highly successful since joining in 2015, attaining 14 wins through 17 fights.

Muhammad has also maintained a lengthy win streak in recent years. He has gone undefeated since April 2019, attaining six victories in that time. He overcame two veterans in 2021, first going through Demian Maia before beating Stephen Thompson in December.

The new booking is a chance for Muhammad to get a proper re-appearance into the main event picture. He made his first UFC main event appearance in March 2021, although that fight didn’t produce a satisfying result. His bout against Leon Edwards was ruled a no-contest finish, as Muhammad suffered a brutal eye poke just moments into the second round.

Who do you favor in a fight between Vicente Luque and Belal Muhammad?

Continue Reading Vicente Luque vs. Belal Muhammad To Headline April 16 UFC Card at MMA News.

Khamzat Chimaev Responds To Vicente Luque ‘Say My Name’ Remarks

UFC welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev isn’t sure why he doesn’t have an opponent for his next fight but is willing to take on all challengers.

Chimaev has remained active on social media since dismantling Li Jingliang at UFC 267. He’s called f…

Khamzat Chimaev, Vicente Luque

UFC welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev isn’t sure why he doesn’t have an opponent for his next fight but is willing to take on all challengers.

Chimaev has remained active on social media since dismantling Li Jingliang at UFC 267. He’s called for fights with some of the biggest names in the sport, including Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor.

Rising contender Vicente Luque also recently threw his name in the hat of possible opponents for Chimaev, indicating that Chimaev just needs to say his name for the fight to happen.

After getting word of Luque’s comments, Chimaev responded profoundly on his Twitter page.

“If I say I want to fight everybody it means everybody,” Chimaev said. “I don’t have to call every single fighter by their names. BMF belt is mine, UFC belt is mine too. I’ve heard there is gonna be [an event on March 5] in Vegas. And I don’t understand why I still don’t have an opponent.”

Khamzat Chimaev Has Sights Set On Welterweight Title

Khamzat Chimaev
Khamzat Chimaev (Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa)

Khamzat Chimaev has taken the UFC by storm since joining the promotion in 2020. He remains undefeated in his professional career, with all 10 of his wins coming by way of knockout or submission.

Chimaev has made it clear that he wants a shot at welterweight champion Kamaru Usman sooner rather than later. Luque is also vying for a title shot after four straight wins over the likes of Tyron Woodley and Michael Chiesa.

A fight between Chimaev and Luque could make sense in the meantime, but it’s unclear what the promotion has planned for both welterweights. There were previous reports of Chimaev being paired with Burns, but those talks may have fizzled out.

Chimaev and Luque both likely need at least one more strong performance to make a valid case for a title shot. If they want to impress the champion, a highlight win against the other could do the trick.

Who would you like to see Khamzat Chimaev fight next?

Continue Reading Khamzat Chimaev Responds To Vicente Luque ‘Say My Name’ Remarks at MMA News.

Vicente Luque On Chimaev Fight: All He Has To Do Is Say My Name

UFC welterweight contender Vicente Luque has welcomed a fight against rising star Khamzat Chimaev, saying the decision to sign the contract would be “simple” for him.

Luque has been on an impressive rise up the 170-pound ladder. Since a 2017 loss t…

Vicente Luque, Khamzat Chimaev

UFC welterweight contender Vicente Luque has welcomed a fight against rising star Khamzat Chimaev, saying the decision to sign the contract would be “simple” for him.

Luque has been on an impressive rise up the 170-pound ladder. Since a 2017 loss to the #3-ranked Leon Edwards, the Brazilian has gone 10-1, defeating the likes of Niko Price, Bryan Barberena, Mike Perry, and Randy Brown, and losing to only Stephen Thompson.

Since his setback to “Wonderboy,” Luque has won four straight, including 2021 victories over former champion Tyron Woodley and then-top-five contender Michael Chiesa. His victory over “Maverick,” which came at UFC 265 in August, saw “The Silent Assassin” expertly reverse position to submit Chiesa with a D’Arce choke.

Luque Places The Ball In Chimaev’s Court

After his latest victory, Vicente Luque continued his callouts of fan-favorite Nate Diaz, with the Stockton native even appearing to publicly accept the fight. But with talk of that clash disappearing, the 30-year-old is now on the hunt for other potential foes, and he’s certainly not afraid of anyone, not even an undefeated brute outside the top 10.

After making a splash in the UFC last year, Khamzat Chimaev was forced to the sidelines with a bad bout of COVID-19. When he returned at UFC 267 in October, “Borz” immediately entered the rankings and the title conversation with a first-round domination of Li Jingliang.

Reports initially suggested the promotion was targeting a matchup between Chimaev and #2-ranked contender Gilbert Burns. However, it’s now a teammate of “Durinho” pushing for a clash with the Chechen-born Swede.

During an Instagram live session, Luque started by praising his welterweight peer and acknowledged why there is so much hype surrounding his blossoming career. However, that doesn’t put him off entering the Octagon with Chimaev. The Brazilian said he’d have no problem accepting the fight and encouraged “Borz” to call out his name.

“I sure understand the hype behind it. He looks great in fights, he seems like a really strong guy. He goes in there and finishes every fight. So I understand the hype, I understand why the UFC wants to put you in big fights. Many people ask me about this fight (against Chimaev). And I’m here. If he mentions my name – because I didn’t hear him say my name – if he says my name and the UFC sends me the contract, I’m going to sign that contract. This is simple for me.

“But he didn’t mention my name. I think he said, ‘Anyone in the top.’ Well, when someone mentions my name and asks for this fight, I’m going to do it for sure. I think it’s a great fight, it’s an exciting fight. He’s a monster. He goes in there and tries to finish the opponent every second. It’s not much different from what I do. It would be a great fight, that’s for sure. If he wants to, if he warns the UFC and if they warn me, we’ll do it,” he concluded. (h/t ESPN)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXMv0dRopmj/

It’s perhaps unsurprising that one of the welterweights open to fighting Chimaev is Luque. “The Silent Assassin” has built a reputation as an always-game individual who doesn’t hesitate when it comes to accepting fights—unless it’s against his teammate Burns, of course.

Now that Luque has joined Neil Magny in calling out “Borz,” the idea that top contenders in the 170-pound weight class are avoiding him, a narrative pushed by many, including Derek Brunson, has perhaps lost its legs.

How do you think a fight between Vicente Luque and Khamzat Chimaev would play out?

Continue Reading Vicente Luque On Chimaev Fight: All He Has To Do Is Say My Name at MMA News.

Gilbert Burns: It Would Take “Mayweather Money” For Me To Fight Luque

UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns has reiterated that he won’t accept a fight against teammate and fellow top-five Vicente Luque.

Since returning to welterweight in 2019, Burns has gone 5-1 and established himself as one of the top names in …

Gilbert Burns, Vicente Luque

UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns has reiterated that he won’t accept a fight against teammate and fellow top-five Vicente Luque.

Since returning to welterweight in 2019, Burns has gone 5-1 and established himself as one of the top names in the division. After victories over Alexey Kunchenko and Gunnar Nelson, “Durinho” shot into title contention with dominant 2020 wins against his compatriot Demian Maia and former 170-pound champion Tyron Woodley.

Despite knocking reigning king Kamaru Usman down in their UFC 258 title fight, the Brazilian became the first victim of the champ’s improved striking, falling to a third-round TKO.

Having immediately rebounded with a comfortable co-main event triumph over Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, Burns is looking to secure a second crack at dethroning “The Nigerian Nightmare” in his next outing.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CRLuEZ2pEu8/

UFC Tried To Book Burns vs. Luque

Unfortunately for Gilbert Burns, the logical title eliminator would see him clash with Vicente Luque, his Sanford MMA teammate and friend. Luque has been on an impressive ride to the top, with his latest success against Michael Chiesa placing him in the division’s top five.

During a recent appearance on MMA Fighting’s Portuguese-language podcast Trocação Franca, Burns revealed that the UFC approached both men’s manager Ali Abdelaziz in an attempt to match the two training partners together.

“[The long wait for a fight] is a bit frustrating, I won’t say it isn’t, but it’s part of the job,” Burns said. “The UFC said the fight to make would be Vicente and I, but since we have this partnership, it won’t happen. This brotherhood screwed us, otherwise, we would have fought already. If we had fought, No. 2 against No. 4, I’d be way up there with a win, and Vicente would be up there with a win as well. I think that’s what’s keeping us stuck, more than the other guys [in the division].” (h/t MMA Fighting)

Despite shutting the door on a fight with Luque, “Durinho” did admit that, given the current welterweight landscape, it would make a lot of sense.

“It makes sense [based on] the rankings,” Burns said. “They know we won’t fight but still asked and tried to make it happen, but we declined. Vicente was the only fight I turned down in the entire division and vice versa. Other than that, I’ve already said I’ll fight anyone.”

Reiterating just how reluctant he is to face “The Silent Assassin,” Burns suggested it would take Floyd Mayweather-level cash for the pair to collide in the Octagon.

“Only if it’s the case of them coming with Floyd Mayweather money and Vicente and I talk and get to the point of like, ‘Let’s fight just for the money.’ Only if it’s something like that,” he said. “Other than that, there’s no way. And [Mayweather money] won’t happen. Only if it’s a life-changing stuff that we talk and see we have to take it. Other than that, I think it’s very difficult.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSSiusrp1ay/

While the next steps for both men are still unconfirmed, reports suggest Burns will be the next challenge for surging star Khamzat Chimaev. After returning in style with a submission victory over Li Jingliang at UFC 267, most believe the Chechen-born Swede is one win away from a title shot. A victory over Burns would certainly secure one.

The situation is a little more unclear for Luque. With Leon Edwards set to wait for a rematch with Usman and Colby Covington eyeing up a grudge match with Jorge Masvidal, the 30-year-old is left with #7 contender Neil Magny as the highest-ranked name who’s available and who he’s yet to face.

How do you think a fight between teammates Gilbert Burns and Vicente Luque would play out?

Continue Reading Gilbert Burns: It Would Take “Mayweather Money” For Me To Fight Luque at MMA News.