Luque Taps Gastelum Early at UFC 327

Veteran Brazilian fighter scores first-round D'Arce choke win in Miami.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 10:40pm

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An abstract, expressionist painting in neon colors depicting the intense grappling and striking movements of two UFC fighters, their faces and identities obscured by the dynamic brushstrokes.The raw, kinetic energy of two seasoned UFC veterans battling it out in the Octagon is captured in a vivid, expressionist painting.Today in Miami

In the second prelim bout of UFC 327 in Miami, veteran welterweight Vicente Luque defeated fellow long-time UFC fighter Kelvin Gastelum via first-round D'Arce choke submission at the 4:08 mark. Luque dropped Gastelum with a punch on the feet before transitioning to the ground and locking in the finishing hold.

Why it matters

Luque and Gastelum are two of the most experienced and accomplished fighters on the UFC roster, with a combined 31 UFC appearances between them. Luque's victory snaps a two-fight losing skid and keeps him in the mix in the deep UFC welterweight division, while Gastelum continues to struggle to find consistency after a promising start to his UFC career.

The details

The middleweight bout started with Luque landing a big punch that dropped Gastelum. Luque then followed up with a barrage of additional strikes on the ground, but Gastelum was able to survive the initial onslaught. However, Luque was able to transition to a D'Arce choke and force the tap from Gastelum at 4:08 of the opening round.

  • The fight took place on April 11, 2026 at UFC 327 in Miami, Florida.

The players

Vicente Luque

A 34-year-old Brazilian welterweight fighter who has competed in the UFC since 2015, amassing a 17-8 record in the promotion.

Kelvin Gastelum

A 34-year-old American fighter who has competed in both the welterweight and middleweight divisions in the UFC since 2013, compiling a 14-11 record in the promotion.

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What they’re saying

“I knew I had to come out strong against a veteran like Kelvin. I was able to land the big punch and then finish him with my signature D'Arce choke. It's great to get back in the win column in front of my home crowd in Miami.”

— Vicente Luque

The takeaway

Luque's victory over Gastelum showcases his continued status as one of the most dangerous submission specialists in the UFC welterweight division, as he was able to capitalize on an early knockdown to secure a first-round finish over a fellow veteran fighter.