Vicente Luque Poised to Shock as Major Underdog at UFC Rio

Vicente Luque Faces Underdog Status Against Joel Alvarez at UFC Rio

Luque’s Journey in the UFC

Vicente Luque is stepping into the octagon as a significant underdog for the first time in his UFC career. As he prepares to face Joel Alvarez at UFC Rio, originally slated to fight Santiago Ponzinibbio, Luque finds himself in an unfamiliar position. With a record of 16-7, Luque has defeated former and future champions like Rafael dos Anjos, Tyron Woodley, and Belal Muhammad. However, a recent loss to Kevin Holland has left him with a 2-4 record in his last six matches.

Alvarez’s Rise and Transition to Welterweight

Joel Alvarez is making headlines with his transition to the welterweight division, having struggled to make 155 pounds previously. The Spanish fighter boasts a 100-percent finish rate in his seven UFC victories out of nine contests, halting notable opponents such as Marc Diakiese, Elves Brenner, and Drakkar Klose. Alvarez’s only two losses were against Arman Tsarukyan and Damir Ismagulov at lightweight.

The Underdog Mindset

In an interview with Emegypt, Luque expressed his resolve to prove doubters wrong, drawing motivation from being an underdog. “It’s hard to say what the fans expect,” Luque commented during the UFC Rio media day. “I know what I’ve been doing, I know what I plan to do that night. If everybody thinks I’m the underdog, I’m gonna have to go out there and surprise them.”

Preparations and Tactical Adjustments

Fighting in his native Rio de Janeiro for the first time, Luque is energized and motivated. Facing a taller Alvarez presents unique challenges, but Luque has made the necessary adjustments in his training camp at Kill Cliff, ensuring readiness. “Joel is much taller…he’s a striker more boxing-oriented,” explained Luque. “I had three weeks to change and make sure I adjusted. I’m confident that even with the exchange, nothing has really been a problem for me in this training camp.”

Prospects and Predictions

Despite the odds and Alvarez’s hype, Luque remains undaunted. “He deserves the hype,” said Luque. “I’m stepping in there against a guy that’s hungry, against a guy that a lot of people see as a prospect, and I can profit from that as well.” With his fighting approach favoring finishes, Luque envisions securing a victory through knockout or submission, boosting his confidence for the matchup.