LAS VEGAS – Vicente Luque is done pursuing a potential fight with Nick Diaz.

Luque (22-10-1 MMA, 15-6 UFC) was originally scheduled to face Diaz on August 7 at UFC on ABC in Abu Dhabi, but the bout was canceled after Diaz pulled out due to travel issues. The pair were rebooked for Saturday’s UFC 310 (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN2, Hulu, ESPN+) event at T-Mobile Arena, but Diaz pulled out again.

Now Luque will face rising welterweight contender Themba Gorimbo (14-4 MMA, 4-1 UFC) instead. Luque explains that after a worrying video of Diaz surfaced, he had an inkling the fight could happen again.

“Maybe a week after the video, something like that, I’m not sure how long ago,” Luque told MMA Junkie and other reporters at UFC 310 media day on Wednesday. “Me and Ali (Abdelaziz), my manager – we talked about it. Without even the UFC saying anything, “Let’s try to approach them and make sure something happens.”

“When I was supposed to fight in August and it didn’t happen, the UFC wanted that fight – it was a big fight. I said, “Okay, let’s do it – but I want to fight this year.” I said to Ali, “I’ll be ready for anyone.” I knew, “Maybe it won’t happen, so I’ll stay ready for anyone, who steps in.” And great that Themba stepped up and now we’re getting a fight.”

After Gorimbo earned his fourth straight win over Niko Price, he offered to serve as a replacement against Luque or Diaz if either of them were eliminated – and his wish came true.

“When he said that, I immediately heard it and thought to myself, ‘Okay, if something happens (with Diaz), there’s someone there,” Luque said. “There is someone who will say yes. So I knew he could be an option – maybe even the first option, and that’s exactly what happened.”

After the first Diaz fight (26-10 MMA, 7-7 UFC) was scrapped, Luque was hoping for a rebooking. But after the second fight failed, “The Silent Assassin” is no longer interested.

“At this point, I don’t think anything like this will happen again,” Luque said. “Maybe – who knows. But I’m at the top of the league. I want to get past Themba. This is the first mission that needs to be completed and after that I look up. I think the nick fight is over.”

For more information on the card, check out MMA Junkie’s UFC 310 event hub.