A Violent UFC Welterweight Rematch: Vicente Luque vs Niko Price
By now, most fight fans have had a chance to review the UFC 249 card which is completely stacked from top to bottom. The card features several great fights such as Ronaldo Souza vs Uriah Hall, Francis Ngannou vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Jeremy Stephens vs Calvin Kattar. One of the most exciting fights of the card features a welterweight rematch between Vicente Luque and Niko Price. Luque and Price boast a combined 19 knockout wins and 9 submission wins making this fight an easy candidate for fight of the night. Both have an exciting style that involves marching forward and trading heavy blows from the start of the bell to the end.
Vicente Luque is one of the most exciting UFC welterweights to watch due to this stellar Muay Thai, constant forward movement and unquestionable toughness. The #13 ranked welterweight has compiled a 10-3 record since joining the UFC after the Ultimate Fighter and quickly established himself as a top welterweight by going 4-1 in his first five UFC bouts. All four of wins came by way of knockout or submission including a performance of the night reward for knocking out Hector Urbina in the first round. Luque was quick to bounce back from his loss to Leon Edwards back in March of 2017 and compiled a six-fight win streak by defeating Niko Price, Chad Laprise, Jalin Turner, Bryan Barberena, Derrick Krantz and Mike Perry. The bout with Perry was one of the most memorable of the year and resulted in a three round slugfest that saw Luque rearrange Perry’s nose with thunderous blows. The Brazlian standout was on fire and it was time for a step up in competition. On November 2, 2019 Luque faced two-time title challenger and top ranked welterweight Stephen Thompson. Thompson used his evasive style and crafty striking to match Luque’s constant stalking and power punches for three straight rounds. Although he lost, Luque proved he was ready to compete with the best in the division and the bout received fight of the night. Since his arrival to the UFC, “The Silent Assassin” has finished 90% of his fights and is averaging 5.18 significant strikes per minute. Luque has proven that any welterweight willing to stand with him is at the risk of being knocked out at any given moment.
There is nothing not to love about Nike Price and his fight style. “The Hybrid” has been one of the most exciting additions to the UFC welterweight roster since his arrival in 2016 after an 8-0 start to his professional mixed martial arts career. Price has compiled a 6-3-1 UFC record since then and has a 100% finish rate with the promotion including knockout wins over Alan Jouban and Tim Means. What makes his UFC appearances memorable is his ability to find unique ways to finish his opponents. If you need proof, go and watch his insane finish of Randy Brown back in July 14, 2018 where he knocked out the New York native off his back with powerful hammer fists. If that’s not enough, how about when he knocked James Vick with an up kick! Price seems to be incredibly comfortable in the Octagon and truly enjoys an opponent that will push him for the entirety of the bout. The Florida native has four performance of the night awards in the UFC and is averaging a 93% finishing rate in his mixed martial career. Confident and excited after his latest knockout victory of James Vick, Price is ready to go war against an all too familiar opponent.
In their first bout, Luque was able to control most of the fight with this striking to eventually secure a D’Arce choke in the second round and force a submission. This bout took place roughly two and a half years ago and both fighters have certainly grown and matured since then. This bout will likely be contested on the feet with both Luque and Price eager to test each other’s chins. Both have a solid ground game as well, but all bets are on these two heavy handed sluggers battling it out on the feet and seeing who drops first. An early pick for fight of the night and possibly one of the most memorable fights of the year!
Who do you think wins the pivotal welterweight matchup between Vicente Luque and Niko Price?
