While Gracie believes his first UFC win should earn a top-10 matchup, Vicente Luque has chipped his way up the welterweight ranks. In the Fight of the Night, Luque got a last-gasp TKO on Bryan Barberena, Luque’s fourth consecutive win. The New Jersey-born Brazillian has made a habit of finishing fights, and even after it seemed like Barberena’s iron chin was going to take the fight to the judges, Luque was still able to end the fight early. Now, the biggest under-the-radar fighter in the welterweight division might be primed for a top-15 matchup.
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Although Aljamain Sterling is well-established, his performance against Jimmie Rivera proved he’s a true force that continues to improve. Without needing a true takedown, Sterling dominated Rivera, out-grappling and out-striking his opponent. The bantamweight division is pretty crowded at the top, but Sterling certainly belongs in the title contender conversation.
