… Or Backup For Usman-Covington

Vicente Luque is surging in the rankings … and now the rising UFC star is going big name hunting — calling out none other than Nate Diaz.

29-year-old Luque — fresh off his 1st round submission dub over top 5 fighter, Michael Chiesa — and we asked, who’s next!?!

“I do want to wait and see what’s gonna happen with [Usman-Covington], with the title fight. Maybe I can get in there, maybe I can jump the line and fight for the title,” Vicente says.

VICENTE LUQUE IS A REAL CONTENDER!

But, #4 ranked Luque knows that’s likely a long shot … so he’s got some names in mind in the event he doesn’t fight for the strap.

“Leon Edwards could be a guy, you know, a rematch against him could be something that would interest me. Also, a super fight against a guy like Nate Diaz, which I’ve called out a couple of times. That also would be a fight that would interest me.”

Vicente lost to Leon via unanimous decision back in 2017 … but has been on a tear of late — coming off wins over Chiesa (submission), Tyron Woodley (submission), Randy Brown (KO), Niko Price (TKO).

Of course, Diaz just fought Edwards himself — losing via unanimous decision — but not before almost KO’ing Leon in the last round of the June fight.

There’s another option … serve as the backup fighter in case of injury or illness for Usman vs. Covington — a fight that doesn’t yet have a date.

“I think that would be something interesting. Even if I’m not, you know, officially a backup, I do plan to stay ready. And, possibly, you know if something, I hope nothing happens, but if something happens, I can step in there and save the day.”

Bottom line … Vicente Luques’ a problem in the welterweight division.