Vicente Luque will tune in to watch the UFC 279 main event between Khamzat Chimaev and Nate Diaz.Photo: Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports / Johnathon Michael – Frontkick
As every fighter in the UFC welterweight division, Vicente Luque will tune in to watch the UFC 279 main event between Khamzat Chimaev and Nate Diaz. At Wednesday’s media day, Luque told the press that he is more than excited to see the rising star and the veteran clash in a five-rounder.
“Khamzat stole my fight,” Luque said with a smile. ” Finally we get to see Nate fight again. I’m excited for it you know, I love to see Nate fight, I’m just excited he’s going to fight again. And Chimaev man, he’s a tough guy, he showed that in his last fight.”
Luque believes that the Stockton fighter’s cardio and pressure can be a problem for Khamzat, but predicts that the rising star will get his hand raised.
“I would put Chimaev as a favourite for this one, but man, Nate can make it complicated. If he survives those two first rounds, he doesn’t get tired, Nate never gets tired. So he can bring the pressure and make it complicated against Chimaev. So I’m excited for that one for sure.”
The No. 6 ranked Brazilian welterweight has his own fight against Geoff Neal on Saturday. A fight that could get him back in at title contender spot.
“The focus right now is beating Geoff,” Luque said. “He’s the man. He’s the guy I’ve got to go past to move back into that title conversation, which I was and I can get back to. I see I’m closer to the title fight than I’ve ever been, even with a setback. It didn’t set me that back. A win over Geoff can put me back into the mix.”