Vicente Luque is set to face Themba Gorimbo at UFC 310, a matchup that shifts his career trajectory as he aims to defend his position and pursue a championship, despite Gorimbo’s rising profile and recent winning streak not matching the hype surrounding Nick Diaz, whom Luque was originally slated to fight.
Themba Gorimbo’s name has been buzzing lately. Why? His unexpected bond with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and four consecutive UFC victories since May 2023. Yet, he doesn’t quite pull the crowd like seasoned fighter Nick Diaz.
Vicente Luque, who was set to face Diaz but now meets Gorimbo at UFC 310 on Dec. 7, finds his career taking a new turn in Las Vegas. This opponent switch shifts his trajectory in numerous ways.
“Nick brought a lot of that hype from the fans,” Luque shared with MMA Fighting. In the UFC, hype can be everything. The Nick fight had it in spades. From a sporting perspective, though? This new matchup makes way more sense.
Facing Gorimbo is no walk in the park. He’s hungry for victory and eager to climb the rankings. Luque’s mission? Defend his spot and prove he’s still in the hunt for championship gold.
Diaz, meanwhile, hasn’t claimed an MMA victory since October 2011, when he bested B.J. Penn. That win stands as his only triumph since rejoining the UFC, after bouts with legends like Condit, St-Pierre, Silva, and Lawler.
“The Nick fight was intriguing due to his fame,” Luque admitted. But beating Nick felt like an obligation—a weight on his shoulders. While this fight lacks that same hype, it’s still a significant challenge.
Luque is eager to stay active after Diaz pulled out of two fights in 2024. He aims to make waves among the welterweight elite. Despite entering his 22nd UFC bout, Luque remains younger than Gorimbo, who boasts a 4-1 record.
“I’ve got plenty left to offer,” Luque declared. A veteran yet younger than many peers, he celebrates a decade in the UFC next year. Arriving young allowed him to grow and evolve—he’s hitting his prime now.
Coming off a loss to Joaquin Buckley after defeating Rafael dos Anjos, Luque seeks redemption. Meanwhile, Gorimbo extended his winning streak by beating Niko Price last October.
“He’s well-rounded—wrestling, striking, grappling,” Luque noted of Gorimbo. His physical prowess is formidable: tall, explosive, enduring. The strategy? Control distance, avoid dangerous exchanges, and dominate against the cage or on the ground.
In essence? It’s about asserting control and leaving no room for surprises in this high-stakes clash.