Diaz to face Ferguson at UFC 279; Chimaev embraces boos at weigh-in
Nate Diaz and Tony Ferguson will meet in the main event of UFC 279 tonight, after Khamzat Chimaev’s failed weight-cut caused a major shake-up to the card at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.
Icon Diaz, entering the final fight of his UFC contract, was set to face the fastest-rising star in the company in Chimaev, but the Russian-born Swede capped off a week to forget by missing weight. The unbeaten Chimaev, 28, had already confronted middleweight Paulo Costa at the UFC Performance Institute on Monday and caused a series of backstage incidents on Thursday by kicking Kevin Holland, the latter moment seeing the pre-fight press conference abandoned.
Now, fan favourite Ferguson will fight fellow veteran Diaz in a five-round, welterweight main event, while Chimaev takes on Holland in a catchweight bout. Meanwhile, Ferguson and Holland’s original opponents – Li Jingliang and Daniel Rodriguez – also meet in a catchweight contest. Fans have long wished to see Americans Diaz, 37, and Ferguson, 38, go head to head, and they will finally get their chance this evening before Diaz rides off into the sunset. Meanwhile, Chimaev’s remarkable rise up the welterweight rankings has hit its first real roadblock, with his future in the division now at least somewhat unclear. Follow live updates from UFC 279 below.
UFC 279 LIVE
Erosa is out first, followed by Dawodu.
Alex Pattle11 September 2022 02:38
UFC 279 LIVE
The final prelim bout is up next, as Hakeem Dawodu takes on Julian Erosa at featherweight.
Alex Pattle11 September 2022 02:30
Alex Pattle11 September 2022 02:29
UFC 279 LIVE
Jailton Almeida def. Anton Turkalj via first-round submission (rear naked choke, 4:27).
Alex Pattle11 September 2022 02:21
UFC 279 LIVE
Almeida vs Turkalj – Round 1
Almeida flattens out Turkalj and briefly looks to have a rear naked choke, but he transitions to an arm-triangle attempt again…
Now back to a rear naked choke, and it’s in tight! Turkalj soon taps!
Alex Pattle11 September 2022 02:19
UFC 279 LIVE
Almeida vs Turkalj – Round 1
Almeida immediately shoots for a takedown against the cage and gets Turkalj to the mat.
Turkalj does well to stand but is lifted and slammed to the canvas at once.
Almeida looks like he’s trying to set up an arm-triangle choke…
Alex Pattle11 September 2022 02:18
UFC 279 LIVE
Almeida vs Turkalj at 220lbs, here we go!
Alex Pattle11 September 2022 02:14
Alex Pattle11 September 2022 02:04
UFC 279 LIVE
Next, Jailton Almeida faces Anton Turkalj in a catchweight bout.
Alex Pattle11 September 2022 02:00
UFC 279 LIVE
Denis Tiuliulin def. Jamie Pickett via second-round TKO (knee, ground strikes; 4:52).
Alex Pattle11 September 2022 01:57
Kaynak: briturkish.com