Vicente Luque submits Kelvin Gastelum with D'Arce choke in first round

Vicente Luque snapped a two-fight losing streak in decisive fashion on April 11, 2026, submitting Kelvin Gastelum with a D'Arce choke in the first round to announce a sharp return to form in the welterweight division.

Luque, known as "The Silent Assassin," carries a 24-12-1 record and competes out of Kill Cliff FC. The 34-year-old Brazilian-born fighter stands five-foot-eleven with a 75-inch reach and brings consistent offensive pressure to every bout, averaging 4.83 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy. Though primarily recognized as a striker, the finish on Friday underscored his grappling threat as well, with the submission coming early in the opening frame.

Gastelum, also 34, entered the contest at 21-11-0 representing Fight Ready. The southpaw stands five-foot-nine with a 71-inch reach and has long been considered a dangerous welterweight, averaging 3.67 significant strikes per minute. However, the loss extends a troubling run of inconsistency — he has been unable to win back-to-back fights for eight years, and this setback deepens that drought.

Why it matters

• Luque's win halts a two-fight skid and pushes him back into the welterweight rankings conversation.
• The first-round submission finish highlights the finishing ability that made Luque one of the division's most feared matchup problems.
• Gastelum's continued inability to string wins together raises serious questions about where he stands in the welterweight pecking order.
• A grappling finish over a primarily striking-focused opponent underscores the well-rounded danger Luque presents.