UFC Vegas 78 Preview

The UFC will be returning to the Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday August 12 for UFC Vegas 78. The main event will be a welterweight battle between #9 Vicente Luque and #10 Rafael Dos Anjos.

Luque is trying to rebound from two straight losses which put an end to a four-fight winning streak. He is coming off a devastating third round KO to Geoff Neal last August, the worst loss of his career. The 31-year-old is looking forward to coming back strong against what he believes is the perfect opponent.

“Man, that was like the perfect fight. I couldn’t pick a better fight. It was crazy how it happened. At a point when I didn’t have a fight I just wanted to have an idea who I was fighting against. At least have a verbal agreement so I could start focusing on someone,” Luque explained. “Me and Ali were talking about who I was going to get next and looking at the division. I am coming off two losses but I’m still in the top 10 in the UFC. So I want to move forward and get into the mix and into the top part of the division. I wanted a fight that would move me up and we weren’t sure who it would be. Then, Ali called me and said Rafael dos Anjos.”

Luque is predicting a big result against Dos Anjos. “It’s hard to tell, I’ve been trying to predict things and I never get it right. When I’m in there, I’m never really trying to finish my opponent. But, whenever I see an opportunity I go for it,” Luque said. “In a five-round fight that presents itself many times. I will go after it and if he can withstand it, then it will be a long fight. Knowing RDA’s durability and his experience, it won’t be an easy fight, but I do believe I can finish him. I do believe I have the skills to finish him whether it’s on the ground or in striking.”

To summarize, Luque believes a win on Saturday puts his name back in the title conversation. “A win over him is going to put me back in the mix… It is a great moment for me to get a big win and get back into the mix. Get back into the talks of guys who could soon be fighting for the title,” Luque said.

There will be plenty of mutual respect between Brazilian fighters on Saturday.

“This bout against Rafael is very important for me,” Luque said. “Before I joined the UFC, I already followed his career. I’m a fan of his. As a Brazilian, I see him as a good example. It’s an honor to be facing him. I expect a tough and highly contested bout that’s full of action. It’s our nature. I’m more likely to get finishes against my opponents by submission or knockout. Rafael has more wins by decision. As a former champ, he’s fought at a very high level for several years.

“In his fights, he attacks equally on the feet or on the ground,” he added. “We’re both true and complete MMA fighters. I bring danger no matter where the fight goes. I could see myself winning early if I connect well near the start, but considering his experience level, I expect him to be able to defend well. The plan is to get a finish before the final buzzer—in a decisive fashion—so it won’t go to the judges.”

Dos Anjos is coming off a second round submission win over Bryan Barbarena in December. The former lightweight champion is 3-1 in his last four fights and is looking to find new life at welterweight. He is looking forward to starting a run with a big win over his fellow Brazilian.

"I know Vicente, we’ve fought on the same card before, but we don’t have any relationship, we’re not friends, and that’s work, and I’m really glad that the fight is going to happen this Saturday,” said Dos Anjos.

The 38-year-old continued, “Here I am fighting another contender, a tough guy, younger than me,” he acknowledged.

“I feel that I have a lot in my tank, in a polite way, my lightweight days are over. I want to compete at my best and my best is 170, and of course it’s hard not to think about the belt. I‘m a very competitive guy and I like to win. Being a former champion and former title contender in this division - I’ve fought for the title before in this division - it’s a method of winning, I have a tough challenge this weekend.

"Vicente Luque is a tough guy, but once past him, if I keep winning, a title shot will happen. I’m a former champion.

“I think the wait is shorter, it’s a matter of opportunity. If the opportunity knocks on my door. You know how this game works, so many things can change in a day, in a half-day. People get hurt and other guys are ready to go. My goal is to be ready, like I always do. Live a good lifestyle.

The Brazilian fighter confidently concluded, "If I get the call to fight a champion, get the luck, I’ve fought a champion before, and I went the distance, I got four weeks' notice. I have a lot in my tank and I’m just happy to be competing again this Saturday.

“I fought everybody, tough guys. The level I’ve been through is pretty high. It’s not the number of fights, it’s the level of competition, I think that people think I’m a BMF (Bad mother-f*****). I don't think I meet the right requirements to fight for the BMF [title].

"I’m a former champion, I had a belt. Guys who fight for a BMF, guys who never had a title.”

In his storied career Dos Anjos has key victories over Renato Moicano, Paul Felder, Kevin Lee, Robbie Lawler, Neil Magny, Tarec Saffiedine, Donald Cerrone, Anthony Pettis, Nate Diaz and Benson Henderson.

The rest of the main card:

Featherweight- Cub Swanson vs. Hakeem Dawodu

Light Heavyweight - #13 Khalil Rountree Jr. vs. #14 (HW)Chris Daukaus

Women's Strawweight - Polyana Viana vs. Iasmin Lucindo

Middleweight - A.J. Dobson vs. Tafon Nchukwi

Middleweight - Josh Fremd vs. Jamie Pickett

ESPN+ Prelims:

Bantamweight - JP Buys vs. Marcus McGhee

Lightweight - Terrance McKinney vs. Mike Breeden

Featherweight - Francis Marshall vs. Isaac Dulgarian

Heavyweight - Josh Parisian vs. Martin Buday

Women's Strawweight - Jaqueline Amorim vs. Montserrat Ruiz

Bantamweight - Da'Mon Blackshear vs. Jose Johnson

Women's Flyweight - Juliana Miller vs. Luana Santos