In early October 2023, Lawrence Lui received an unexpected call from the UFC. They asked him to be an alternate in the highly competitive Road to UFC tournament. Despite not being the opportunity he had initially hoped for, Lui quickly saw the chance as a pivotal stepping stone toward his ultimate dream of fighting in the UFC.
“I knew I would likely step in,” Lui shared about his preparation. Although he only received confirmation to replace another fighter five or six weeks ago, he had already been training vigorously. “I’ve had a full camp, and I assumed someone would pull out. That’s just the nature of fight camps. With eight fighters and eight weeks, it’s bound to happen.” Lui noted that his original opponent was in training at the UFC Performance Institute, but he learned that his opponent had recently withdrawn, paving the way for Lui to step in.
Lui remains focused as he approaches this challenge. Although he knows some of his opponent's tendencies, his emphasis is primarily on his own training and skill set. “Some game plan adjustments have been made based on what my coaches have observed, but mostly things have stayed the same,” he explained. “Focusing on my strengths and how to apply them during the fight is key.” He believes that his core strengths will translate well, regardless of his opponent. Lui maintained that he feels mentally prepared for this fight, with no changes to his mindset.
As for how he plans to secure victory, Lui remains tight-lipped. His reason isn’t a lack of confidence but rather respect for the element of surprise. "As Nick Diaz wisely said, a gentleman never tells," he smiled. “I will be ready to execute my game plan, but I don’t like to predict the outcome.”
Fans can catch Lawrence Lui’s fight against Qinghe Zhang during the fourth installment of this year’s Road to UFC, which starts at 9 AM EST on Friday, October 6, 2023. This matchup is one that could propel Lui closer to his dream of competing at the highest levels of mixed martial arts, making it a significant event for both fighters.
You can listen to the complete interview with Lawrence Lui on the latest episode of the Top Turtle MMA Podcast, where the conversation begins at the 17:32 mark. Tune in for insights and behind-the-scenes perspectives from this rising star in the sport.
Stay connected for updates on Road to UFC as it showcases emerging talent like Lawrence Lui in the dynamic world of mixed martial arts.
