Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos will headline UFC on ESPN 51 as he faces Vicente Luque this weekend.

The pair were expected to fight in July at UFC on ESPN 49, but that slot was eventually taken by Holly Holm and Mayra Bueno Silva.

They will now get the chance to prove themselves, with Luque chasing his first win in two years, while Dos Anjos will look to build on his victory over Bryan Barberena in December.

Luque won four fights on the spin between May 2020 and August 2021, but his winning run was ended by Belal Muhammad in April 2022.

He was then stopped by Geoff Neal in August last year to ensure he lost two in a row for the first time ever, but he will not be worried about his contest against Dos Anjos.

The Brazilian, now 38, has lost seven of his last 14 fights, but he is still dangerous and is ranked ninth in the lightweight rankings. 

Luque sits 10th in the welterweight standings and both men will be desperate to record victories to improve their chances of a title shot in 2024.

Luque is 1/1 to pick up the victory, while Dos Anjos is the slight favourite at 4/5.

What	UFC on ESPN 51
Where	UFC Apex, Enterprise, Nevada
When	Saturday 12th August, 2023
How to watch	TNT Sports
Odds (Main Event)	Vicente Luque 1/1, Rafael dos Anjos 4/5

When is UFC on ESPN 51?

The card is scheduled to take place on Saturday 12th August 2023.

What time is UFC on ESPN 51?

The prelims will start at 21:00 UK time, while the main card is not expected to start until 00:00. 

Luque and Dos Anjos are not expected to make their way to the octagon until 04:00.

Where is UFC on ESPN 51?

UFC on ESPN 51 will take place at the UFC Apex in Enterprise, Nevada.

The facility was opened in 2019 and has served the organisation well due to its close proximity to the UFC Performance Institute. 

The UFC owns the arena and they first hosted an event there in May 2020, with Tyron Woodley losing to Gilbert Burns.

Eleven fight nights have taken place at UFC Apex since the start of the year, with Luque set to fight at the venue for the third successive occasion.

Dos Anjos lost on his last trip to the UFC Apex, with Rafael Fiziev recording a knockout victory.

Can I watch UFC on ESPN 51?

Yes. Both the preliminary and the main cards will be available to watch on TNT Sports.

Are there any belts on the line at UFC on ESPN 51?

No. There aren't any belts on the line, but both Luque and Dos Anjos will hope a victory can help them build some momentum for a title shot in the future.

Luque has never won a title in the UFC, while Dos Anjos lost the UFC lightweight gong via TKO in July 2016 to Eddie Alvarez.

Dos Anjos has fluctuated between lightweight and welterweight over the years and he will hope to campaign for a title in the coming months.

What is Vicente Luque's record?

31 fights, 21 wins (11KOs), 9 defeats

What is Rafael dos Anjos' record?

46 fights, 32 wins (5KOs), 14 defeats

Who is on the undercard for UFC on ESPN 51?

Main card

Vicente Luque v Rafael dos Anjos

Khalil Rountree Jr. v Chris Daukaus

Polyana Viana v Iasmin Lucindo

Josh Parisian v Martin Buday

Josh Fremd v Jamie Pickett

Preliminary card

Juliana Miller v Luana Santos

A.J. Dobson v Tafon Nchukwi

JP Buys v Marcus McGhee

Francis Marshall v Isaac Dulgarian

Jaqueline Amorim v Montserrat Ruiz

Cub Swanson v Hakeem Dawodu

Da'Mon Blackshear v Brady Hiestand