Themba Gorimbo made headlines for his surprising connection with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and 4 straight wins within the UFC since Might 2023, however he’s nonetheless not as large 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 numerous that hype from the followers,” Luque mentioned in an interview with MMA Combating. “Once I look to the UFC, there are numerous issues that may push you over. Perhaps the largest of all is hype, and I believe the Nick combat introduced that. Now, after I have a look at this combat, from a sportive facet, it makes far more sense.
“It’s a problem, an excellent 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 similar time present I’m nonetheless going for the highest, gunning to grow to be champion. This combat brings that.”
Diaz hasn’t gained an MMA combat 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 combat was very attention-grabbing due to his fame, his identify,” Luque mentioned, “however on the similar 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 combat in comparison with the Nick combat, nevertheless it’s additionally an incredible combat.”
Luque is completely satisfied to remain lively after Diaz withdrew from two cancelled fights in 2024, and desires to reinsert himself within the combine in opposition to the elite of the welterweight class. The Brazilian enters his twenty second combat within the UFC, however remains to be youthful than Gorimbo, who holds a UFC document of 4-1.
“I do know I nonetheless have lots to ship,” Luque mentioned. “I’m a veteran, however I’m youthful than numerous the blokes there. It is going to mark my 10-year [anniversary] within the UFC subsequent 12 months, I actually obtained right here younger, however that’s additionally good as a result of I’ve realized and developed alongside the way in which. I nonetheless have lots to do, and I’m simply reaching my bodily prime now, additionally by way of expertise. I’ve lots to perform.”
The Kill Cliff FC expertise appears to be like 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 Price this previous October to increase his profitable streak to 4.
“He’s a well-rounded man who can wrestle, strike and grapple, however I believe probably the most harmful side of him is his bodily skills,” Luque mentioned. “He’s wall, prolonged and explosive, seems to have good cardio, and I’ve to work on that. I’ve to combat on my distance and take it the place I need, not let him do what he likes. Perhaps not commerce from a harmful distance, attempt to maintain him in opposition to the cage or on the bottom. It’s about going there to dominate.”