Vicente Luque wasted no time making a statement, submitting Kelvin Gastelum in the first round to deliver one of the most decisive victories of his recent run. The quick finish not only showcased Luque’s dangerous grappling but also signaled a strong return to form against a seasoned opponent in a new weight class.
Luque (24-12-1) pointed to a key change behind his performance. Luque credited his recent move up in weight as a major factor in allowing him to compete at a higher level.
“I think the fight was a reflect of what I’ve been working, the move up to middleweight, I’m not sure if everybody understood why I was doing that, but for me and for my team it was really clear that this was the best move right now for my performance,” Luque told reporters including Cageside Press at his post-fight scrum.
“The levels we know we can reach, and fight as we know that I can fight. I think that was the fight.”
Luque acknowledged the challenge he expected from Gastelum. Despite the quick result, Luque made it clear he was prepared for a much longer battle against a notoriously durable opponent.
“Gastelum is a tough guy. I was ready for three rounds because I know that he can take a lot of damage. He has a big heart, he fights till the end, so yeah it was satisfying to get him out and finish,” said Luque.
After an impressive first-round finish in his new division Luque turned his attention toward what comes next. While the future remains uncertain, Luque emphasized his commitment to staying active and ready for whatever opportunity the UFC presents.
“I know that I’m going to rest up, I’m going to enjoy this win, I’m going to get back to work because I like my work. I like my job, I want to go to the gym and stay focused,” he said.
“That’s what I’m going to do now and we’ll see. Maybe it will be soon, maybe they’re going to offer me something big and I can wait a little bit. We’ll see.”
Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Vicente Luque above.