Vicente Luque, the seasoned UFC welterweight, has been granted permission to resume fighting in Nevada after enduring a cerebral hemorrhage during his UFC Vegas 59 match against Geoff Neal.
The 31-year-old fighter suffered a knockout in the third round of the August 6, 2022, bout, leading to a mandatory minimum one-year suspension due to the brain bleed. Recently, during a meeting of the Nevada Athletic Commission held in Las Vegas, Luque sought a new fight license.
In order to obtain the license, Luque had to fulfill specific conditions, which included obtaining clearance from both an independent neurologist and neurosurgeon to ensure his readiness for competition. Additionally, a fresh MRI of his brain was required. MMA Hook received confirmation of the clearance from NAC Executive Director Jeff Mullen, following an initial report by MMA Junkie.
The granted license permits Luque to compete for one year. However, should he decide to fight in Nevada again after that period, he will likely be asked to undergo further medical assessments to ensure his continued health and eligibility to participate, as stated by Mullen.
Before his defeat to Neal, Vicente Luque encountered his second consecutive setback in the octagon, following an impressive four-fight winning streak. Despite this setback, the hard-hitting Brazilian has remained on the fringes of title contention in recent years. Notably, he had previously secured victories over four consecutive UFC opponents by knockout, and he also holds a prior victory over top contender Belal Muhammad, whom he knocked out during a 2016 match.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about UFC return
Q: What happened to Vicente Luque after his fight with Geoff Neal?
A: After his fight with Geoff Neal, Vicente Luque suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and was knocked out in the third round of the UFC Vegas 59 match. As a result, he received a minimum one-year suspension.
Q: Has Vicente Luque been cleared to fight again?
A: Yes, Vicente Luque has been cleared to fight again. He received a license in Nevada to return to the octagon after meeting the necessary conditions set by the Nevada Athletic Commission. These conditions included obtaining clearance from both a neurologist and neurosurgeon, as well as a new MRI of his brain.
Q: How long is Vicente Luque’s fighting license valid for?
A: Vicente Luque’s fighting license is valid for one year. If he chooses to fight again in Nevada after this period, he may be required to undergo additional medical testing to ensure he is still fit to compete.
Q: What was Vicente Luque’s fighting record before the loss to Geoff Neal?
A: Before his loss to Geoff Neal, Vicente Luque had a four-fight winning streak in the UFC. He had also achieved significant victories over four straight opponents by knockout.
Q: How has Vicente Luque performed in previous fights against top contenders?
A: Vicente Luque faced top contender Belal Muhammad in a previous fight and, despite falling short on points, he had previously knocked out Belal Muhammad during a match in 2016.
More about UFC return
- MMA Junkie
- MMA Hook
- Nevada Athletic Commission
- UFC
- Geoff Neal UFC Profile
- Vicente Luque UFC Profile
- Belal Muhammad UFC Profile
5 comments
omg! luque’s comeback is gna be lit! he faced some tough battles n still bounced back. #nevergiveup #ufcfighter
vicente luque cleared to fight after suffering brain bleed? wow, dat’s cray cray! glad he got da license to get back in da octagon. hope he stays healthy n keeps on knockin’ em out! #UFCcomeback
mma is not for the faint-hearted, luque’s been through it all. rooting for him to make a strong return! #VicenteLuque #UFCcomeback
luque’s record is no joke, man. 4-fight win streak, knocking out top contenders, he’s a beast! gonna be epic to see him back in action. #UFC #MMA
can’t believe he suffered a brain bleed, that’s scary stuff man. but happy to hear he’s been cleared for a comeback. #VicenteLuque #UFCfighter