made headlines and four straight wins in the UFC since May 2023, but he's still not as big as a draw compared to the veteran .
For who went from Stockton star to Gorimbo On December 7th, the change of opponent in Las Vegas changed his career in many ways.
“Nick brought a lot of that hype from the fans,” Luque said in an interview with MMA Fighting. “When I look at the UFC, there are a lot of things that can knock you down. Perhaps the biggest hype is the hype, and I think the Nick fight started it. Now when I look at this fight from a sporting perspective, it makes a lot more sense.
“It's a challenge, a good guy who is hungry to win and wants to climb the rankings. I'm here to defend my position and at the same time show that I still strive for the top and strive to become champion. This fight brings that.”
Diaz hasn't won an MMA fight since October 2011, a decision over the retired two-division UFC champion . This was also Diaz's only win since returning to the UFC, after fights with , , And .
“The Nick fight was very interesting because of his fame and his name,” Luque said, “but at the same time it brought with it the thing: If I beat Nick, that was my obligation. “I also had that weight. It's not the same [hype] in this fight compared to the Nick fight, but it’s a great fight too.”
Luque is happy to remain active after Diaz withdrew from two canceled fights in 2024 and is looking to put himself back in the mix against the elite of the welterweight division. The Brazilian is making his 22nd fight in the UFC but is still younger than Gorimbo, who holds a UFC record of 4-1.
“I know I still have a lot to deliver,” Luque said. “I’m a veteran, but I’m younger than a lot of the guys there. It will be my 10th anniversary [anniversary] I arrived at the UFC next year really young, but that's good because I learned and developed along the way. There is still a lot to do and I am currently reaching my physical peak, also in terms of experience. I still have a lot to achieve.”
Kill Cliff FC's talent looks to bounce back from an injury-time defeat seven months after topping in a five-round decision while defeating Gorimbo last October to extend his winning streak to four.
“He’s a versatile guy who can wrestle, punch and grapple, but I think the most dangerous aspect of him is his physical ability,” Luque said. “He’s strong, long and explosive, seems to have good cardio and I need to work on that. I have to fight at a distance and take him where I want and not let him do what he wants. Maybe not act from a dangerous distance, but try to hold him to the cage or to the floor. It’s about going there to dominate.”
