Vicente Luque may be known as "The Silent Assassin" but there is nothing silent about his finishes. The UFC welterweight contender makes it a habit to end fights and on Saturday night in Las Vegas, he did so against opponent Randy Brown.
Both fighters came out trading blows to start the fight, but it was Luque who landed a right hand that sent Brown to the canvas midway through the opening round. Brown rose quickly and the two quickly engaged in some more action. Luque ended the round with a statement shot.
A calf kick from Luque sent Brown to the mat for a second time in as many rounds. Brown responded with some exchanges, opening a cut above the right eye of his Luque, and even managed to a takedown of his own with a minute left.
But Luque, tough-as-nails, got to his feet and went back in. While in the clinch, Luque landed a knee that dropped Brown and followed up with strikes. As the clock ticked down, referee Mark Smith called an end to the fight at 4:56.
“I finish fights,” said Luque, who earned his second straight KO/TKO win. “When I see the opportunity, I go for it."
With the win, Luque is now 19-7. However, he's 8-1 in his past nine fights. Asked who he wants to face next, Luque pointed to referred to the welterweight rankings for his opponent.
“I would call out the guy right under me, that is Nate Diaz,” Luque said. “He only wants super fights but if we’re going to follow the rankings, I’m above him. I think that would be a great fight.”