Vicente Luque Admits Stephen Thompson ‘Exposed Many Things in My Game’ at UFC 244

Vicente Luque started well enough at UFC 244, as he bothered opponent Stephen Thompson with forward pressure and aggression during the opening stanza of their featured welterweight bout.

Luque outlanded “Wonderboy” by a 38-to-32 count in significant strikes in that round, and although he only received the nod on one of three cageside judges’ scorecards, it seemingly set the stage for a competitive matchup. That did not turn out to be the case, as Thompson picked up the pace over the final 10 minutes, landing precision straight lefts along with his usual variety of kicks to cruise to a clear-cut unanimous decision triumph.

That defeat snapped a six-bout winning streak for Luque, who hadn’t tasted defeat in the Octagon since a decision defeat to top welterweight contender Leon Edwards at UFC Fight Night 107 in March 2018. Luque reflected on his loss in a statement released via Instagram on Monday.

“It was an honor to face this guy in the octagon!” Luque captioned a photo of he and Thompson in a post-fight embrace. “Didn’t go the way I wanted but definitely was what I needed. He exposed many things in my game and I’m gonna make sure to improve and grow after this. Gave it all I had as always and looked to put the best show I could for all of those watching! I’ll be back better then ever.”

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It was an honor to face this guy in the octagon! Didn’t go the way I wanted but definitely was what I needed. He exposed many things in my game and I’m gonna make sure to improve and grow after this. Gave it all I had as always and looked to put the best show I could for all of those watching! I’ll be back better then ever . Uma honra enfrentar esse cara no octógono! O resultado não foi como eu queria mas talvez como eu precisava, ele expôs varias brechas no meu jogo que vou corrigir e melhorar. Como sempre dei meu melhor para dar um show para os que estavam assistindo. Vou voltar melhor e mais forte do que nunca . Un honor pelear con este gran oponente! No me fue como gustaría pero creo que necesitaba eso, vi muchas cosas que puedo mejorar. Di todo que tenia hasta el final y trate de darles un grande show! Volveré mejor y más fuerte #UFC244

A post shared by Vicente Luque (@luquevicente) on Nov 4, 2019 at 11:23am PST