Hello, mixed martial artist fans! If you love following the MMA and admire world-class, Vicente Luque is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Vicente Luque is an American‑born Brazilian welterweight MMA fighter known for his violent finishing style and consistent run in the UFC’s 170 lb division. he is a seasoned contender with more than a decade of professional experience and multiple bonuses for exciting performances.
Vicente Luque’s Biography
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Vicente Catta Preta Luque |
| Nickname | “The Silent Assassin” |
| Date of Birth | November 27, 1991 |
| Age | 33 years old |
| Height | 5’11” (180 cm) |
| Nationality | Brazilian-American (Dual citizenship) |
| Religion | Christian |
| College/Education | N/A |
| Turned Professional | 2009 |
| Weight Class | Welterweight (170 lbs) |
| Reach | 75.5 inches (192 cm) |
| Spouse/Partner | Carolina Silveira |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Children | One son, Bento |
| Instagram Profile | @luquevicente |
| Net Worth | Approximately $2 million |
| Estimated Salary Per Fight | $72,000 base salary |
Early Career
Vicente Luque’s introduction to martial arts began at an extraordinarily young age, influenced significantly by his mother, who holds a black belt in karate. At just three years old, he was enrolled in karate training, marking the beginning of a lifelong commitment to fighting. This early exposure wasn’t merely about learning techniques; it was about developing discipline and discovering a passion that would define his entire existence.
After relocating to Brazil at age six, Luque continued his karate training until reaching age ten, when he temporarily stepped away to explore other athletic pursuits, including soccer. However, this detour proved temporary. At age fifteen, everything changed when he discovered Muay Thai. This encounter with the art of eight limbs ignited a spark within him that never extinguished. From that moment forward, he knew his calling: he wanted to become a professional mixed martial artist.
His formal entry into professional MMA competition came in June 2009 when he was seventeen years old, launching a career that would span over a decade and a half. Before reaching the UFC, Luque competed extensively across various regional Brazilian promotions, compiling a record of 7 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw. These fights occurred in different Brazilian cities including Salvador, Brasília, Curitiba, and São Paulo, where he developed his craft and learned invaluable lessons through victory and defeat. One particularly impressive win during this period was a first-round TKO against Thiago Santos at Spartan MMA 2012—the same Thiago Santos who would later challenge Jon Jones for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
Professional Career
Vicente Luque’s UFC journey began on July 12, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale, though it started with disappointment. He faced fellow castmate Michael Graves and suffered a unanimous decision loss, a setback that could have derailed many fighters. However, Luque’s characteristic resilience kicked in immediately. In his second UFC fight, he achieved redemption against Hayder Hassan through a technical submission in the first round, earning a Performance of the Night bonus that announced his arrival as a force to be reckoned with.
Throughout the mid-2010s, Luque gradually built momentum, securing impressive victories against fighters like Alvaro Herrera, Belal Muhammad, and Hector Urbina. His striking continued to improve, his submission game remained lethal, and scouts began recognizing him as a legitimate contender in the welterweight division. The 2016-2017 period showcased his development, with highlight-reel finishes becoming his signature. He knocked out Belal Muhammad in the first round at UFC 205 and followed it up with another first-round TKO against Hector Urbina just months later.
However, his momentum hit a speed bump in March 2017 when he faced rising star Leon Edwards and suffered a unanimous decision loss. Rather than being discouraged, Luque used this experience as motivation. Following this loss, he entered what many consider his peak fighting years. Between 2017 and 2019, he compiled an impressive six-fight winning streak, accumulating a series of devastating victories. This period included the first-round submission of Niko Price via Brabo choke, first-round knockout victories over Chad Laprise and Jalin Turner, and a thrilling Fight of the Night performance against Bryan Barberena that earned him additional recognition and financial reward.
The pinnacle of Luque’s career came in May 2021 when he faced former UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley at UFC 260. In a stunning display of dominance, Luque submitted Woodley using a D’Arce choke in the first round, earning him a career-high payday of $520,000 and cementing his status as a legitimate title contender. He followed this up with another first-round D’Arce choke submission against Michael Chiesa at UFC 265 in August 2021, earning an additional $210,000 and proving his victory over Woodley was no fluke.
Wife
Vicente Luque’s married life with Carolina Silveira represents a genuine partnership that transcends the violence and physical demands of professional fighting. The couple has been together for more than fifteen years, having met during their teenage years. Their bond has withstood the rigorous lifestyle of professional MMA, the injuries, the setbacks, and the mental toll that comes with competing at the highest levels of combat sports.
Carolina, affectionately known as “Carol,” stands as Luque’s biggest supporter and closest confidante. The couple actively shares aspects of their life on social media, providing followers with glimpses of their relationship and family moments. They are quite active on Instagram, where Carolina frequently posts about her pride in Vicente’s accomplishments and the family’s milestones together. When their son Bento was born on May 5, 2021, the announcement was made with a heartfelt post celebrating the expansion of their family unit.
In a particularly touching moment that reveals Luque’s character, he once posted a message to Carolina on her birthday expressing his deep gratitude and love: “Thank you Lord for such a privilege to have such a wonderful wife and son! Happy birthday to the most amazing woman in this world [Carolina] I love you so much darling, thank you for everything you are and everything you do, I would be nothing without you!” This public declaration demonstrates how central his family is to his identity and motivation.
Bento, their son, was welcomed into the world when Luque was approaching the peak of his fighting career. The young boy represents hope and continuation of the family legacy. Luque has spoken openly about how fatherhood changed his perspective on life and fighting, providing him with a deeper sense of purpose beyond personal achievement.
Vicente Luque’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Vicente Luque’s estimated net worth stands at approximately $2 million, a figure built primarily through his extensive career in professional mixed martial arts. Unlike some fighters who rely heavily on sponsorships or external business ventures, Luque’s wealth is predominantly derived from his in-octagon earnings, performance bonuses, and UFC compensation.
Throughout his UFC career, Luque has earned over $3 million in disclosed fight earnings alone, which represents a remarkable achievement for a welterweight who never captured a championship title. His earnings demonstrate the value the UFC places on exciting, technically proficient fighters who consistently deliver entertaining performances.
The breakdown of his significant paydays reveals the trajectory of his career. His early UFC fights in 2015-2016 paid modest amounts ranging from $7,000 to $20,000. By 2017-2018, as his reputation grew, purses increased to the $40,000-$80,000 range. The real financial breakthroughs came after 2019, when his victory over Randy Brown earned him $120,000, followed by a $220,000 payday for defeating Randy Brown again in 2020. The Tyron Woodley submission in 2021 catapulted him into a new financial tier, and subsequent victories against Michael Chiesa ($210,000), Belal Muhammad rematch ($350,000), and Themba Gorimbo ($300,000 base, plus $50,000 performance bonus at UFC 310) have maintained his status as a well-compensated fighter.
In 2024, his UFC 310 victory against Themba Gorimbo resulted in a total payout of $471,000, which included his base salary, win bonus, the $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus, and sponsorship money. Even in losses, Luque’s name carries significant value; he earned approximately $350,000 against Belal Muhammad despite the defeat, reflecting the respect he commands within the promotion.
It’s important to note that Luque’s net worth doesn’t include undisclosed locker room bonuses that top fighters occasionally receive from UFC management, nor does it account for potential cryptocurrency holdings, real estate investments, or other business ventures he may have undertaken privately. The $2 million figure represents a conservative estimate based on publicly available information.
Fight Purses
| Date | Event | Opponent | Result | Base Salary | Win Bonus | Performance Bonus | Total Payout |
| July 12, 2015 | UFC Fight Night 21 Finale | Michael Graves | Loss | $7,000 | $0 | $0 | $7,000 |
| December 19, 2015 | UFC on Fox 17 | Hayder Hassan | Win | $7,000 | $7,000 | $0 | $14,000 |
| July 7, 2016 | UFC Fight Night 90 | Alvaro Herrera | Win | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 | $20,000 |
| September 24, 2016 | UFC Fight Night 95 | Hector Urbina | Win | $10,000 | $10,000 | $50,000 | $70,000 |
| November 12, 2016 | UFC 205 | Belal Muhammad | Win | $12,000 | $12,000 | $50,000 | $74,000 |
| March 18, 2017 | UFC Fight Night 107 | Leon Edwards | Loss | $24,000 | $0 | $0 | $24,000 |
| October 28, 2017 | UFC Fight Night 119 | Niko Price | Win | $30,000 | $30,000 | $50,000 | $110,000 |
| May 19, 2018 | UFC Fight Night 129 | Chad Laprise | Win | $36,000 | $36,000 | $50,000 | $122,000 |
| October 6, 2018 | UFC 229 | Jalin Turner | Win | $41,000 | $41,000 | $50,000 | $132,000 |
| February 17, 2019 | UFC on ESPN 1 | Bryan Barberena | Win | $48,000 | $48,000 | $50,000 | $146,000 |
| August 1, 2020 | UFC Fight Night 172 | Randy Brown | Win | $60,000 | $60,000 | $50,000 | $170,000 |
| May 27, 2021 | UFC 260 | Tyron Woodley | Win | $150,000 | $150,000 | $220,000 | $520,000 |
| August 7, 2021 | UFC 265 | Michael Chiesa | Win | $72,000 | $72,000 | $50,000 | $194,000 |
| August 12, 2023 | UFC Vegas 78 | Rafael dos Anjos | Win | $72,000 | $72,000 | $50,000 | $194,000 |
| December 7, 2024 | UFC 310 | Themba Gorimbo | Win | $200,000 | $200,000 | $50,000 | $450,000 |
| October 11, 2025 | UFC Fight Night Rio | Joel Alvarez | Loss | $300,000 | $0 | $0 | $300,000 |
Endorsements and Sponsorships
- Kill Cliff FC – As a member and representative of Kill Cliff FC, Luque benefits from association with this elite training facility in Florida. Kill Cliff is an energy drink and CBD company that acquired naming rights to the training facility, and Luque’s affiliation with the gym represents both a training partnership and implicit sponsorship arrangement.
- Based Supplements – Luque frequently features Based Supplements in training content shared on social media, positioning the brand as his preferred nutritional supplement partner for his conditioning and strength training protocols.
- UFC Sponsorships and Outfitting Deals – As a UFC athlete, Luque receives compensation through the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program (formerly the Athlete Outfitting Policy), which provides fighters with branded gear, equipment, and financial compensation for sponsorship compliance.
- Venum – As the official UFC equipment partner, Venum provides fighters like Luque with fight gear, apparel, and compensation as part of UFC standard agreements.
- Sanford Health – Through his gym affiliation (Kill Cliff FC was previously Sanford MMA), Luque has benefited from the health and wellness initiatives associated with Sanford Health’s partnership with the training facility.
Career Records
| Opponent | Event | Date | Result | Method | Round | Significance |
| Michael Graves | UFC Fight Night 21 Finale | July 12, 2015 | Loss | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | UFC Debut |
| Hayder Hassan | UFC on Fox 17 | December 19, 2015 | Win | Submission (Anaconda Choke) | 1 | Redemption victory, Performance Bonus |
| Alvaro Herrera | UFC Fight Night 90 | July 7, 2016 | Win | Submission (D’Arce Choke) | 2 | Early submission masterclass |
| Hector Urbina | UFC Fight Night 95 | September 24, 2016 | Win | TKO | 1 | Performance Bonus earner |
| Belal Muhammad | UFC 205 | November 12, 2016 | Win | KO | 1 | Highlight-reel knockout |
| Leon Edwards | UFC Fight Night 107 | March 18, 2017 | Loss | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | Learning experience against elite striker |
| Niko Price | UFC Fight Night 119 | October 28, 2017 | Win | Submission (Brabo Choke) | 2 | Quality submission victory |
| Chad Laprise | UFC Fight Night 129 | May 19, 2018 | Win | KO | 1 | First-round finish |
| Jalin Turner | UFC 229 | October 6, 2018 | Win | KO | 1 | Quick knockout display |
| Bryan Barberena | UFC on ESPN 1 | February 17, 2019 | Win | TKO (Knees & Punches) | 3 | Fight of the Night bonus |
| Stephen Thompson | UFC Fight Night 191 | November 2, 2019 | Loss | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | Loss to top-ranked striker |
| Niko Price | UFC Fight Night 172 | May 9, 2020 | Win | TKO | 1 | Second victory over Price |
| Randy Brown | UFC Fight Night 174 | August 1, 2020 | Win | KO | 2 | Performance Bonus earner |
| Tyron Woodley | UFC 260 | May 27, 2021 | Win | Submission (D’Arce Choke) | 1 | Career-defining victory, $520K payday |
| Michael Chiesa | UFC 265 | August 7, 2021 | Win | Submission (D’Arce Choke) | 1 | $210K payday, 4th Performance Bonus |
| Geoff Neal | UFC on ESPN 30 | August 6, 2022 | Loss | KO | 1 | Brain bleed injury, one-year layoff |
| Belal Muhammad (Rematch) | UFC Fight Night 206 | April 22, 2023 | Loss | KO | 1 | Knockout loss in rematch |
| Rafael dos Anjos | UFC Vegas 78 | August 12, 2023 | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | Comeback victory, $521K payout |
| Joaquin Buckley | UFC 299 | March 9, 2024 | Loss | KO | 1 | Significant setback |
| Themba Gorimbo | UFC 310 | December 7, 2024 | Win | Submission (D’Arce Choke) | 1 | $50K Performance Bonus, $471K total |
| Joel Alvarez | UFC Fight Night Rio | October 11, 2025 | Loss | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | Recent loss |
FAQs
1. How much has Vicente Luque earned throughout his UFC career?
Vicente Luque has earned an estimated total of over $3 million in disclosed UFC fight earnings. His largest single payday was $520,000 for submitting Tyron Woodley at UFC 260 in 2021. This total includes base salaries, win bonuses, and performance bonuses but does not include undisclosed locker room bonuses or sponsorship money beyond what’s publicly available.
2. What is Vicente Luque’s favorite submission technique?
Vicente Luque is best known for his mastery of the D’Arce choke, a variation of the front headlock submission. He has successfully used this technique to finish several notable opponents including Tyron Woodley, Michael Chiesa, and Themba Gorimbo. He’s also highly skilled with Brabo chokes, Anaconda chokes, and other grappling finishes, making him one of the most complete submission artists in the welterweight division.
3. Did Vicente Luque really suffer a career-threatening brain injury?
Yes, in August 2022, Vicente Luque was knocked out by Geoff Neal and suffered a brain bleed—an extremely rare and serious injury in MMA. This incident forced him into a one-year medical hiatus where he underwent recovery and rehabilitation. The injury profoundly impacted his perspective on life and accelerated his spiritual journey, leading him to deepen his Christian faith significantly.
4. What is the significance of Vicente Luque’s “Silent Assassin” nickname?
The nickname “The Silent Assassin” reflects Luque’s calm, composed demeanor outside the cage combined with his devastating fighting abilities within it. Despite appearing quiet and unassuming in interviews and public appearances, he transforms into a lethal competitor once the fight begins. The name encapsulates the contrast between his serene personality and his fierce, finishing-oriented fighting style.
5. Is Vicente Luque ranked in the UFC welterweight division?
As of late 2024 and early 2025, Luque is ranked outside the top 15 in the UFC welterweight division, approximately in the 14th-15th range depending on the source and recent fight results. However, he remains a respected veteran who commands solid paydays and main-card placements due to his name recognition and entertaining fighting style.
6. What is Vicente Luque’s approach to training and conditioning?
Luque trains six days per week with heavy emphasis on conditioning and technical refinement. He is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and trains extensively in Muay Thai and striking. He’s known for his dedication to mental preparation alongside physical training. He supplements his training with products from Based Supplements and trains at the elite Kill Cliff FC facility in Florida.
7. How has Vicente Luque’s Christian faith influenced his fighting career?
Luque’s Christian faith has become increasingly central to his identity, especially following his brain injury in 2022. He was baptized alongside his wife in 2023 at Mananciais Church in Boca Raton, Florida. His faith provides him with peace and perspective regarding fight outcomes, shifting his focus from purely competitive achievement to living a purposeful life that honors his beliefs and God’s plan for him.
8. What languages does Vicente Luque speak?
Vicente Luque is fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and English, making him truly trilingual. This linguistic ability reflects his multicultural background (Brazilian mother, Chilean father) and allows him to connect with fans and media across different countries and regions. He often conducts interviews in multiple languages.
9. When did Vicente Luque turn professional in mixed martial arts?
Vicente Luque turned professional in June 2009 at the age of 17. He immediately competed in regional Brazilian promotions before eventually moving to the United States and joining elite training camps. He competed in smaller organizations for approximately five years, compiling a 7-4-1 record before being selected for The Ultimate Fighter TV show in 2015.
10. What certifications and rankings does Vicente Luque hold in grappling?
Vicente Luque achieved his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2021, the same year he also achieved purple belt status in Luta Livre. The remarkable achievement of being promoted to black belt and purple belt on the same day in 2021 speaks to his exceptional grappling abilities. He is also a champion of the Brazilian Amateur Kickboxing Cup, which he won in 2009.