Themba Gorimbo made headlines for his stunning reference to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and 4 straight wins within the UFC since Could 2023, however he’s nonetheless not as large as a draw in comparison with veteran Nick Diaz.

For Vicente Luque, who went from dealing with the Stockton star to Gorimbo at UFC 310 on Dec. 7, the change of opponents in Las Vegas modifications his profession from many various angles.

“Nick introduced numerous that hype from the followers,” Luque mentioned in an interview with MMA Preventing. “After I look to the UFC, there are numerous issues that may push you over. Possibly the most important of all is hype, and I believe the Nick struggle introduced that. Now, once I have a look at this struggle, from a sportive aspect, it makes far more sense.

“It’s a problem, a very good man who’s coming hungry for the victory, and he desires to enter the rankings. I’m right here to defend my place and on the similar time present I’m nonetheless going for the highest, gunning to change into champion. This struggle brings that.”

Diaz hasn’t gained an MMA struggle since October of 2011, a call over retired two-division UFC champion B.J. Penn. That was additionally Diaz’s sole victory since returning to the UFC, following fights with Carlos Condit, Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva and Robbie Lawler.

“The Nick struggle was very fascinating due to his fame, his identify,” Luque mentioned, “however on the similar time it introduced that factor, if I beat Nick, it was my obligation. I had that weight, too. It’s not the identical [hype] on this struggle in comparison with the Nick struggle, however it’s additionally a terrific struggle.”

Luque is pleased to remain energetic after Diaz withdrew from two cancelled fights in 2024, and desires to reinsert himself within the combine towards the elite of the welterweight class. The Brazilian enters his twenty second struggle within the UFC, however continues to be youthful than Gorimbo, who holds a UFC report of 4-1.

“I do know I nonetheless have lots to ship,” Luque mentioned. “I’m a veteran, however I’m youthful than numerous the blokes there. It’ll mark my 10-year [anniversary] within the UFC subsequent yr, I actually acquired right here younger, however that’s additionally good as a result of I’ve discovered and developed alongside the way in which. I nonetheless have lots to do, and I’m simply reaching my bodily prime now, additionally by way of expertise. I’ve lots to perform.”

The Kill Cliff FC expertise seems to rebound from a stoppage defeat to Joaquin Buckley seven months after topping Rafael dos Anjos in a five-round resolution, whereas Gorimbo beat Niko Value this previous October to increase his profitable streak to 4.

“He’s a well-rounded man who can wrestle, strike and grapple, however I believe probably the most harmful side of him is his bodily skills,” Luque mentioned. “He’s wall, prolonged and explosive, seems to have good cardio, and I’ve to work on that. I’ve to struggle on my distance and take it the place I need, not let him do what he likes. Possibly not commerce from a harmful distance, attempt to maintain him towards the cage or on the bottom. It’s about going there to dominate.”