Tag: Vicente Luque

Vicente Luque Admits Nick Diaz Withdrawal Has Left Him With UFC 310 Bout That ‘Makes More Sense’ 

When it comes to achieving his ongoing goals in the UFC, welterweight Vicente Luque believes he’s in line to be better placed following the withdrawal of Nick Diaz. Luque, a veteran contender who has slipped to #14 in the rankings following three losses in his last four fights, will make his return on the preliminary […]

When it comes to achieving his ongoing goals in the UFC, welterweight Vicente Luque believes he’s in line to be better placed following the withdrawal of Nick Diaz.

Luque, a veteran contender who has slipped to #14 in the rankings following three losses in his last four fights, will make his return on the preliminary card of this weekend’s UFC 310 pay-per-view.

“The Silent Assassin” is tasked with defending his spot on the ladder against the charging Themba Gorimbo, who has won four straight since a loss on debut in the UFC early last year.

The Brazilian was originally slated to appear opposite Diaz, marking their second attempt at sharing the cage in 2024. The pair previously had a clash at the UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi this past August called off, with visa issues on the side of the Stockton native being branded the reason.

Their rescheduled booking also fell through shortly after a concerning video emerged that appeared to show Diaz attempting to light grass on fire in the street.

While fans and fighters alike express worry over Diaz’s status, Luque has a new foe in his sights. And although his new matchup isn’t quite as prominent following his high-profile opponent pulling out, “The Silent Assassin” sees a silver lining.

“Nick brought a lot of that hype from the fans,” Luque said during an interview with MMA Fighting. “When I look to the UFC, there are a lot of things that can push you over. Maybe the biggest of all is hype, and I think the Nick fight brought that. Now, when I look at this fight, from a sportive side, it makes way more sense.

“It’s a challenge, a good guy who is coming hungry for the victory, and he wants to enter the rankings,” Luque continued. “I’m here to defend my position and at the same time show I’m still going for the top, gunning to become champion. This fight brings that.”

Luque will now look to make the most of his opportunity to stall the rise of an in-form prospect and prove that he’s still got plenty to give toward the top of the standings at 170 pounds.

Vicente Luque On Second Nick Diaz Fight Cancellation: ‘I Hope He Seeks Help’

UFC welterweight contender Vicente Luque is concerned for Nick Diaz after their matchup once again hit a roadblock en route to the Octagon. Luque was originally set to welcome Diaz back to the cage at the UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi this past August. That fell through weeks beforehand, with travel issues being cited […]

UFC welterweight contender Vicente Luque is concerned for Nick Diaz after their matchup once again hit a roadblock en route to the Octagon.

Luque was originally set to welcome Diaz back to the cage at the UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi this past August. That fell through weeks beforehand, with travel issues being cited as the reason.

It was later rescheduled for the final pay-per-view of 2024, UFC 310 in Las Vegas next month. But doubts over that coming to fruition arose when a video emerged appearing to show the shirtless Stockton native attempting to light grass on fire in the street.

People’s fears were realized when the bout’s cancellation was confirmed, with rising prospect Themba Gorimbo taking Diaz’s place to face Luque inside T-Mobile Arena on Dec. 7.

During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, “The Silent Assassin” reacted to losing his planned opponent again, this time expressing more concern given the apparent circumstances.

“I don’t know exactly why (it was canceled),” Luque said, before commenting on the apparent video of Diaz. “I saw that video of him in the streets, and he didn’t look OK. And more than anything, I hope his family and he’s taking care of himself. I hope he recovers and goes back to his best state possible. … I didn’t know if it was a recent video or not, but I kept thinking, if it’s recent, I hope he really seeks help to get out of the situation he’s in because Nick is a fighter I follow since before I was in the UFC. He has inspired me a lot in the past. … You see his accomplishments, and see his state at 40 years of age, that’s not how I want to see any fighter.

“This sport is very tough and we dedicate so many years to be able to make a living off this, and to see him in that situation, at his age… We don’t know what he’s going to do from now on, if he’s going to recover, if he’s going to be able to fight again, maybe open a gym and teach, whatever, but we hope for the best,” Luque continued. “It’s very sad to see him at that stage, because I don’t want that for anyone, much less a man that has inspired so many.”

While fight fans wish the best for Diaz, a big opportunity has opened up for Gorimbo.

The Zimbabwean gained prominence when his inspirational story was noticed by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who subsequently bought the fighter a house in Miami.

That came after Gorimbo’s first UFC win, and “The Answer” has since had his hand raised in three straight fights this year to put him on the brink of a number next to his name at 170 pounds.

Report: Nick Diaz Withdraws from UFC 310 Fight vs. Vicente Luque; Replaced by Gorimbo

Nick Diaz’s highly anticipated return to the UFC octagon is reportedly set to be delayed once again. According to Alex Behunin of MMA Mania, Diaz will not…

Nick Diaz’s highly anticipated return to the UFC octagon is reportedly set to be delayed once again. According to Alex Behunin of MMA Mania, Diaz will not…

VIDEO: Nick Diaz Releases Training Footage After Confirmation Of UFC Return Date

For the first time since his 2021 return, Nick Diaz will be back in the Octagon once again, taking on Vicente Luque as part of the main card for UFC 310 on Dec. 7 in Las Vegas. Following the announcement of that rescheduled contest, Diaz posted a teaser to his Instagram page, showcasing footage of […]

Continue Reading VIDEO: Nick Diaz Releases Training Footage After Confirmation Of UFC Return Date at MMA News.

For the first time since his 2021 return, Nick Diaz will be back in the Octagon once again, taking on Vicente Luque as part of the main card for UFC 310 on Dec. 7 in Las Vegas.

Following the announcement of that rescheduled contest, Diaz posted a teaser to his Instagram page, showcasing footage of a training session to the tune of Limp Bizkit’s “My Way.”

Diaz and Luque were originally scheduled to face off at UFC Abu Dhabi early last month before the fight was postponed due to travel issues on the side of the Stockton native.

Nick Diaz Releases Training Footage Ahead Of UFC 310 Return

Diaz last fought in the Octagon at UFC 266, losing a rematch with old foe Robbie Lawler by way of TKO.

That fight was Diaz’s first since his infamous UFC 183 main event bout with Anderson Silva — a fight in which Diaz failed a drug test and was nearly banned for life by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Diaz’s last UFC win came against BJ Penn at UFC 137 well over a decade ago.

Luque, meanwhile, has suffered defeat in three of his last four, most recently losing to Joaquin Buckley in Atlantic City back in March.

Continue Reading VIDEO: Nick Diaz Releases Training Footage After Confirmation Of UFC Return Date at MMA News.

Nick Diaz Has New UFC Return Date In The Works After Abu Dhabi Cancellation

Former UFC welterweight title challenger Nick Diaz will likely make his next Octagon appearance before the year is out. Diaz — a former Strikeforce and WEC champion — hasn’t competed since UFC 266 in September of 2021, where he was stopped by Robbie Lawler. That outing marked his first in six years and left many […]

Continue Reading Nick Diaz Has New UFC Return Date In The Works After Abu Dhabi Cancellation at MMA News.

Former UFC welterweight title challenger Nick Diaz will likely make his next Octagon appearance before the year is out.

Diaz — a former Strikeforce and WEC champion — hasn’t competed since UFC 266 in September of 2021, where he was stopped by Robbie Lawler. That outing marked his first in six years and left many calling for his retirement.

The Stockton native isn’t done yet, however, and he was scheduled to make the walk again last month in Abu Dhabi. But his planned clash with ranked welterweight Vicente Luque fell through owing to a travel issue on the side of Diaz.

Per MMA Mania’s Alex Behunin, that matchup has been kept together and is now targeted to take place at the UFC 310 pay-per-view in Las Vegas this coming December.

Prior to his unsuccessful return three years ago, Diaz’s previous outing saw him share the cage with Anderson Silva in 2015. The Brazilian had his unanimous decision win overturned to a no contest after testing positive for drostanolone and androsterone.

Diaz, meanwhile, tested positive for elevated marijuana metabolites, leading to a controversial suspension and lengthy layoff on the sidelines for the fan favorite.

He’ll now look to return to his form of old in his second bout back at the expense of Luque, a longtime figure in the welterweight top 15 who has lost three of his last four.

Continue Reading Nick Diaz Has New UFC Return Date In The Works After Abu Dhabi Cancellation at MMA News.

Nick Diaz vs. Vicente Luque in the Works for UFC 310 on December 7

Nick Diaz vs. Vicente Luque in the Works for UFC 310 on December 7Nick Diaz is back! For real this time. After travel issues kept him from a return to the Octagon…

Nick Diaz vs. Vicente Luque in the Works for UFC 310 on December 7

Nick Diaz is back! For real this time.

After travel issues kept him from a return to the Octagon in Abu Dhabi, the leader of the Diaz army appears to be set for his next fight. According to a report from MMA journalist Alex Behunin, Diaz is set to square off with No. 14 ranked welterweight contender Vicente Luque at UFC 310 on Saturday, December 7.

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The bout was originally scheduled to go down at Etihad Arena last month, but travel-related issues forced Diaz to bow out of the contest.

It’s been three long years since we last saw Diaz in action having last faced UFC Hall of Famer ‘Ruthless’ Robbie Lawler at UFC 266. The 41-year-old Stockton native delivered a lackluster showing and ultimately suffered a third-round TKO against the former welterweight world champion.

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Nick Diaz hasn’t won a UFC fight in 13 years

Diaz has not won a fight in the Octagon since a unanimous decision over BJ Penn at UFC 137 in October 2011.

Luque, 31, will look to use Diaz as a stepping stone back into the win column after dropping three of his last four fights, including a second-round knockout loss against Joaquin Buckley in his most recent outing. Overall, ‘The Silent Assassin’ is 22-10-1 in his mixed martial arts career and carries a 15-6 record under the UFC banner.

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Diaz boasts a similar MMA record, having gone 26-10, but his UFC run has been far less impressive, going 7-7 with one no-contest. Though he never captured gold inside the Octagon, Diaz is a former WEC and Strikeforce welterweight champion.