UFC Fight Night 261 ceremonial weigh-in faceoffs from Rio de Janeiro
UFC Fight Night 261 ceremonial weigh-in faceoffs, including Charles Oliveira vs. Mateusz Gamrot, ahead of Saturday’s event in Rio de Janeiro.
Joel Alvarez and Vicente Luque meet on the main card of UFC Fight Night 261 at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.
Last event: 3-2UFC main cards, 2025: 94-71-1
Joel Alvarez vs. Vicente Luque UFC Rio preview
Brazil’s Luque was set to fight Santiago Ponzinibbio this week, but Alvarez stepped up in his place. After four straight wins early in the COVID era, Luque has fallen on tougher times with a 2-4 stretch. Alvarez is making the move up to welterweight a few years after struggles on the scale at lightweight.
Joel Alvarez vs. Vicente Luque UFC Rio expert pick, prediction
Serving as a potential crossroads fight at 170 pounds is a battle between Vicente Luque and Joel Alvarez.
Although it’s nice to see natural middleweight Alvarez finally stop his drastic, yearly weight cuts to 155 pounds to fight at a more sensible weight class (where he’ll still be bigger than literally everyone he fights), it sucks that it has to be Luque.
A fan favorite action fighter to the nth degree, Luque has certainly seen better days (particularly since suffering a brain bleed in his fight with Geoff Neal).
Since then, Luque just hasn’t been the same as he’s likely beyond shot at this point in his career. It sucks to see him pecked off by a guy who will probably finish his career up a weight class, but the pick is Alvarez by submission in Round 2.
Joel Alvarez vs. Vicente Luque UFC Rio odds
The oddsmakers and the public heavily favor the Spaniard, listing Alvarez -550 and Luque +390 via FanDuel.
Joel Alvarez vs. Vicente Luque UFC Rio start time, how to watch
Alvarez and Luque are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 8:45 p.m. ET. The fight streams live on ESPN+.
