The #4-ranked Vicente Luque will serve as a backup fighter for the main event between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington at UFC 268.
With how unpredictable the world is these days, Luque will be on call as a backup fighter just in case. In fact, the tentative plan is for Luque to weigh in on Friday morning. UFC 268 will take place in New York in the famous Madison Square Garden venue. The main event features a bad blood rivalry between champion Kamaru Usman looking for his fifth title defense against Colby Covington. News of Vicente Luque serving as the backup fighter for the main event was first revealed by Brett Okamoto with ESPN.
Vicente Luque (@VicenteLuqueMMA) will weigh-in on Friday in Manhattan as a backup to the welterweight title fight on UFC 268, per his manager Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) and the UFC.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) November 3, 2021
“Vicente Luque (@VicenteLuqueMMA) will weigh-in on Friday in Manhattan as a backup to the welterweight title fight on UFC 268, per his manager Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) and the UFC.” Brett Okamoto posted.
Vicente Luque On The Cusp Of Title Contention
En route to Luque’s four-fight winning streak, the welterweight has finished all four of his last opponents. In March of 2021, Luque earned one of the biggest wins of his career. The Brazilian contender submitted former titleholder, Tyron Woodley, with a D’arce choke. Then, in a shocking performance, the 29-year-old secured a second D’arce choke victory in a row against submission specialist Michael Chiesa. If the opportunity presents itself, Luque will weigh in and be eligible for a shot at 170-pound gold.
Speaking on a recent episode of MMA Fighting’s Portuguese-language podcast Trocação Franca, the rising welterweight contender is staying ready just in case.
“I’m staying ready,” Luque said. “I love being ready for an opportunity. If something comes in November, if they end up needing someone, I’ll stay ready for it. I’ll be training for this.”
Since the two last fought, Usman has defeated Jorge Masvidal twice and finished the #2-ranked Gilbert Burns with ground and pound after being dropped by the champion’s power jab. During this time Usman has earned three title defenses, “Chaos” returned, and earned a fifth-round finish against former champion Tyron Woodley. The bad blood gets settled this Saturday on ESPN+ at UFC 268 and fans have a backup just in case.
Do you think Vicente Luque should be next in line for a title shot?
