As the anticipation builds for this weekend's UFC Fight Night: Blanchfield vs Fiorot, the spotlight shines on Vicente Luque, who is set to make his remarkable 21st appearance in the Octagon against Joaquin Buckley. Known as "The Silent Assassin," Luque has carved a formidable path through the UFC welterweight division since his debut on July 12, 2015, against Michael Graves, following his participation in the 21st season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Throughout his tenure in the UFC, Luque has amassed an impressive collection of accolades, including eight post-fight bonuses split evenly between Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night honors. With 13 finishes, he holds the distinction of having the second-most finishes in the history of the UFC welterweight division, a record he shares for second-most knockouts with Thiago Alves and Li Jingliang, each tallying eight.
Luque's career is punctuated by several standout moments. At UFC 265, he showcased his resilience and skill by submitting Michael Chiesa with a D’Arce choke in a thrilling first-round victory. His bout against Mike Perry at UFC Fight Night: Shevchenko vs Carmouche 2 not only earned Fight of the Night honors but also displayed Luque's grit, securing a split decision victory after a grueling, bloody battle. Another notable victory came at UFC 205, where Luque delivered a stunning first-round knockout against Belal Muhammad, setting the tone for a career filled with highlight-reel finishes.
Luque's UFC record is a testament to his evolution as a fighter, with notable victories over Rafael Dos Anjos, Tyron Woodley, and Randy Brown, among others. Despite setbacks against fighters like Geoff Neal and Stephen Thompson, Luque's determination and skill have kept him at the forefront of the welterweight division.
Luque's journey from The Ultimate Fighter to UFC stardom is a compelling narrative of resilience, skill, and determination, underscoring his status as one of the welterweight division's most exciting fighters.