In the Clinch: Muhammad Looks to Even Score With Luque, UFC on ESPN 34 – It’s a bit of a logjam at the top of the welterweight division right now, but for No. 5 Vicente Luque and No. 6 Belal Muhammad, it’s business as usual for now.
Luque and Muhammad are scheduled to rematch in the main event of UFC on ESPN 34 Saturday at The Apex and a big win keeps their spot near the top.
The welterweight division is in a bit of a state of flux right now. Champion Kamaru Usman is recovering from hand surgery and is expected back in July at the earliest. No. 2 Leon Edwards is waiting for an opponent since his bout No. 8 Jorge Masvidal was cancelled last December. Masvidal is now embroiled in legal troubles after allegedly assaulting No. 1 Colby Covington. And phenom Khamzat Chimaev just leapfrogged into the No. 3 slot from No. 11 after UFC 273 last weekend after overcoming former No. 2 Gilbert Burns (who is now No. 4) in an amazing battle.
Luque (21-7-1), 30, needs to forget about the standings for now and focus on keeping this fight standing, like the last fight with Muhammad. His striking has powered him to 11 knockouts and set up another eight submissions. He has the clear advantage on the feet and if he can win the early rounds, can put some pressure on Muhammad and create some openings to even finish the fight like he did in the first bout.
Muhammad (20-3-0, 1NC), 33, hopefully has improved his striking enough that he can make Luque respect him on the feet. Because if he hasn’t, it could be another long day trying to chase and create a takedown. He was able to get in close on Stephen Thompson, but was not doing well against striker Leon Edwards before the no-contest eye poke. Maybe he has some other tricks up his sleeve for Saturday.
Luque comes in as the favorite and rightfully so in Las Vegas. It’s up to Muhammad to flip the script.
In the Clinch: Muhammad Looks to Even Score With Luque, UFC on ESPN 34 – More Resources
- 2022 Panini Select UFC Trading Cards
- 2021 Panini UFC Prizm Trading Cards Checklist
- 2020 Topps UFC Striking Signatures Trading Cards Checklist
- 2019 Topps UFC Chrome Trading Cards Checklist
Belal Muhammad
Vicente Luque
In the Clinch: Muhammad Looks to Even Score With Luque, UFC on ESPN 34 – Image Gallery
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