Themba Gorimbo made headlines for his stunning reference to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and 4 straight wins within the UFC since Could 2023, however he’s nonetheless not as massive as a draw in comparison with veteran Nick Diaz.
For Vicente Luque, who went from going through the Stockton star to Gorimbo at UFC 310 on Dec. 7, the change of opponents in Las Vegas adjustments his profession from many various angles.
“Nick introduced loads of that hype from the followers,” Luque stated in an interview with MMA Preventing. “After I look to the UFC, there are loads of issues that may push you over. Perhaps the most important of all is hype, and I feel the Nick battle introduced that. Now, once I take a look at this battle, from a sportive aspect, it makes far more sense.
“It’s a problem, a very good man who’s coming hungry for the victory, and he needs to enter the rankings. I’m right here to defend my place and on the identical time present I’m nonetheless going for the highest, gunning to turn out to be champion. This battle brings that.”
Diaz hasn’t gained an MMA battle since October of 2011, a choice over retired two-division UFC champion B.J. Penn. That was additionally Diaz’s sole victory since returning to the UFC, following fights with Carlos Condit, Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva and Robbie Lawler.
“The Nick battle was very fascinating due to his fame, his identify,” Luque stated, “however on the identical time it introduced that factor, if I beat Nick, it was my obligation. I had that weight, too. It’s not the identical [hype] on this battle in comparison with the Nick battle, however it’s additionally an amazing battle.”
Luque is glad to remain lively after Diaz withdrew from two cancelled fights in 2024, and desires to reinsert himself within the combine towards the elite of the welterweight class. The Brazilian enters his twenty second battle within the UFC, however continues to be youthful than Gorimbo, who holds a UFC report of 4-1.
“I do know I nonetheless have lots to ship,” Luque stated. “I’m a veteran, however I’m youthful than loads of the blokes there. It should mark my 10-year [anniversary] within the UFC subsequent 12 months, I actually bought right here younger, however that’s additionally good as a result of I’ve realized and developed alongside the best way. I nonetheless have lots to do, and I’m simply reaching my bodily prime now, additionally when it comes to expertise. I’ve lots to perform.”
The Kill Cliff FC expertise appears to rebound from a stoppage defeat to Joaquin Buckley seven months after topping Rafael dos Anjos in a five-round resolution, whereas Gorimbo beat Niko Value this previous October to increase his successful streak to 4.
“He’s a well-rounded man who can wrestle, strike and grapple, however I feel probably the most harmful facet of him is his bodily talents,” Luque stated. “He’s wall, prolonged and explosive, seems to have good cardio, and I’ve to work on that. I’ve to battle on my distance and take it the place I would like, not let him do what he likes. Perhaps not commerce from a harmful distance, attempt to maintain him towards the cage or on the bottom. It’s about going there to dominate.”
