UFC Welterweight Contender Vicente Luque Promoted to BJJ Black Belt

Vicente Luque is already one of the most dangerous submission artists in the UFC’s welterweight division, and he now has the rank in BJJ to match that skill. Earlier this week, Luque was awarded his black belt in BJJ, as well as the rank of black belt in Brazilian Luta Livre.

Luque was awarded the black belt ranks by his instructors Toquinho Saldanha and Erik Silva.

Vicente Luque is currently ranked no. 4 in the UFC welterweight division. A professional since 2009, Luque competed on The Ultimate Fighter Season 21, and although he did not win that season, he has made the most of his subsequent time in the UFC, compiling a 14-3 record over the course of the past six years. He is currently riding a four-fight win streak; that run includes back-to-back d’arce choke finishes over Tyron Woodley and Michael Chiesa, respectively. A talented submission artist, Luque owns two more d’arce finishes in the UFC, as well as an anaconda finish.

Luque is not currently booked for his next fight, but given his win streak and ranking in the division, he is likely no more than one win away from a shot at the welterweight title. Current champion Kamaru Usman is set to defend that title in a rematch against Colby Covington at UFC 268.

Congratulations to Vicente Luque on this accomplishment!

Ben Coate

Ben has been involved with grappling, whether through wrestling or Brazilian jiu-jitsu, essentially his entire life. After wrestling throughout his childhood, Ben found Brazilian jiu-jitsu as a young adult and quickly fell in love. He has been training for over ten years and holds the rank of black belt, and remains involved in both the MMA and BJJ scene. Ben has been writing about combat sports since 2017. He has interviewed and profiled some of MMA's biggest stars, including multiple UFC champions.

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