A serious health scare has not deterred Vicente Luque from continuing his fighting career in the UFC. The upcoming UFC 316 event, scheduled for Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, features an exciting card headlined by a bantamweight title rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley, along with a 135-pound title defense by Julianna Pena against Kayla Harrison.
Luque, renowned for his resilience, is set to open the main card with a welterweight match against fan favorite Kevin Holland. This fight marks Luque’s fourth since returning from a significant brain injury that once threatened his ability to compete. The injury was discovered after a knockout loss to Geoff Neal, revealing a subdural hematoma that led to a one-year medical suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Despite the severity of his injury, Luque has expressed his determination to continue fighting. “I’ve been 10 years into the UFC. It’s been a long run, and I’ve still got a lot to do inside that Octagon. I’m excited,” Luque stated in an interview with MMA Junkie Radio. He emphasized that he does not have a retirement plan or a set number of fights in mind, focusing instead on fighting as much as possible and climbing back into the top ranks of the welterweight division.
Since his return, Luque has experienced both ups and downs in the Octagon. He successfully defeated Rafael dos Anjos in his comeback fight, but faced a setback with a knockout loss to Joaquin Buckley. However, Luque bounced back impressively by submitting Themba Gorimbo in just 52 seconds at UFC 310 in December 2024.
As he prepares for his bout against Holland, Luque aims for his first win streak since his comeback and is eager to showcase his skills while defending his spot in the welterweight rankings. Luque’s story is not only one of resilience but also serves as inspiration to many, demonstrating the power of determination and passion in the face of adversity. His journey in the UFC continues to excite fans, who look forward to seeing him compete at the highest level.