Vicente Luque thinks this is the ‘perfect timing’ to rematch Belal Muhammad (video)

Vicente Luque needs a big win at UFC Vegas 51 to stay in the 170-pound title picture.

Kamaru Usman reigns supreme over the UFC welterweight division, but the rest of the group is jockeying for position. Khamzat Chimeav is the darling of the moment, but fans should not forget about Vicente Luque and Belal Muhammad. These two men are set to fight at UFC Vegas 51, in a rematch that is almost eight years in the making.

“I think it is the right moment for this rematch,” Luque said while speaking to the media. “We both have worked so hard and evolved so much. It’s the perfect timing for the rematch.”

At UFC 205 Luque needed less than two minutes to defeat Muhammad, knocking him out in the first round of that contest. But looking back on that fight is not something Luque wants to do as he prepares for this main event.

“I prefer to forget that first fight. It was short notice and if I look at that fight and think about it, I’m going to underestimate Belal,” Luque said. “He’s evolved and he has great wins, so I’d prefer to forget that first fight.”

Since then, both men have grown in the 170-pound division. Luque has won ten fights, including defeating former champion Tyron Woodley and the highly ranked Michael Chiesa. Since debuting with the UFC back in 2015, Luque has put together a 14-3 record in the Octagon. Overall, he boasts a 21-7 professional record.

Belal Muhammad looks to continue his momentum since their first fight

Muhammad has found equal success since that night back in 2016. Since then, he’s dropped just one fight while picking up wins over Lyman Good, Demian Maia, and Stephen Thompson along the way.

This fight pits number five and six in the rankings against each other as they both look to find a way into the title picture.

“We are under the radar a little bit, but this Saturday I can show what I bring to the division and why I should be fighting for a title soon,” Luque said. “Maybe I can jump straight to the title. If I need one more, I’ll be ready and I’ll fight anyone up there. But first, I have to get past Belal.”

UFC Vegas 51: Vicente Luque vs. Belal Muhammad takes place on Saturday, April 16, 2022, live from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, NV. Follow along with FanSided MMA who is onsite for all your news and highlights.