LAS VEGAS — One of the strangest and craziest fight weeks in UFC history concluded with a bang on Saturday, when Nate Diaz left the industry-leading MMA company with a victory, putting himself available to competing firms as a free agent.
Before Diaz entered the Octagon in Las Vegas, and as the DJ began to play “Gimme Shelter” by the Rolling Stones, excited fans at the T-Mobile Arena smoked marijuana in celebration of their hero’s return to the ring.
The pot-smoking, Stockton-slapping, veteran of ultimate fighting made his entry to a roaring ovation from the crowd as his late replacement opponent, fellow Californian Tony Ferguson, waited for him inside the cage.
—Al Dawson (@AlanDawsonSport) on Twitter
September 11, 2022
Nate Diaz fought aggressively at UFC 279 in Las Vegas.
This was never meant to be the major attraction.
No.
Originally, Khamzat Chimaev, who destroyed Kevin Holland in the last bout, was set to face Diaz.
Since his UFC debut at Fight Island in 2020, the Chechen-Swede has developed into one of the most terrifying competitors in the entire sport, which would have been a harsh send-off for Diaz.
However, Chimaev weighed in at 178.5 pounds on Friday, over the welterweight limit of 170 pounds.
This, coupled with what appeared to be a backstage riot during Thursday’s press conference, resulted in a bizarre and bizarre week.
UFC president Dana White canceled the midweek public conference, much to the dismay of the audience.
Khamzat Chimaev.
Photo via Getty Images
After Saturday’s performance, White told Insider and other media that the Nevada State Athletic Commission would never have sanctioned a fight between Chimaev and Diaz due to their weight disparity.
Instead, we received a reshuffled card with three fights taking on a new look, meaning that six athletes were competing against opponents for whom they had not trained throughout their whole camps.
The UFC offered refunds at the gate, but according to White, no one took advantage of the offer; instead, the organization sold 250 additional tickets.
Few will have been dissatisfied.
Diaz exits the UFC with an unexpected victory.
If Diaz had faced Chimaev, few would have backed him to emerge victorious from the Octagon.
Diaz excelled in the rescheduled fight against Tony Ferguson, a veteran of combat sports, due to his hallmark cardio, ability to absorb a shot, and jiu-jitsu.
During the competition, Diaz displayed a tremendous deal of bravado, at one point hanging from the cage’s perimeter as if he had nothing to lose.
Perhaps he hadn’t.
Despite Ferguson’s boxing and fast kicks, Diaz finished the fight in the fourth round when he struck Ferguson with a strong left hand.
Diaz, perceiving that the damage had upset his opponent, continued to throw strikes, prompting Ferguson to attempt a takedown. Nonetheless, this was right up Diaz’s alley, as he executed a guillotine choke and forced a tap.
The audience erupted. It was finished.
—UFC (@ufc)
September 11, 2022
Nate Diaz presents a highlight video of Tony Ferguson.
The victory improved Diaz’s professional mixed martial arts record to 21 wins (five knockouts, 12 submissions, and four decisions) versus 13 defeats.
However, Diaz’s evening was really just beginning.
Uncertainty surrounded his future, including whether he would re-sign with the UFC, test free agency, or schedule boxing contests against high-profile opponents, as former MMA fighters like Anderson Silva have done.
I desire to leave the UFC.
Nate Diaz is unsigned.
During a post-fight press conference attended by Insider, Diaz entered the media tent adjacent to the T-Mobile Arena, asked reporters if they had any beer, then, when told there was none, walked to a corner and smoked a cigarette.
He then sat down and announced his departure from the UFC.
—Al Dawson (@AlanDawsonSport) on Twitter
September 11, 2022
Diaz told Insider and other reporters, “It was the finalization of my deal” with the UFC.
“I have no plans to return to the UFC,” he stated, adding cryptically, “but I also have no plans to not return to the UFC.”
He stated that he would be in attendance for Jake Paul’s celebrity boxing battle versus Anderson Silva, and he is interested in concluding a trilogy with his former adversary Conor McGregor, even outside the UFC.
Should Diaz return to the UFC, White would welcome him with open arms. White informed Insider and other reporters, “This is his residence.” “He’s been here forever. It’s been a pleasure having him here, and I wish him all the best.”
Diaz was nearly overshadowed when Chimaev reversed course.
Khamzat Chimaev.
Khamzat Chimaev, an unbeaten fighter with one of the most terrifying auras in combat sports, became a breakout celebrity in 2020 due to his run on Fight Island during the epidemic.
He defeated John Phillips in his UFC debut a little more than two years ago, knocked out Rhys McKee 10 days later with punches, and defeated Gerald Meerschaert without breaking a sweat in 17 seconds later that year.
In 2021, he returned to Fight Island and submitted Li Jingliang. Earlier this year, he defeated Gilbert Burns in a Fight of the Year match, and on Saturday, he submitted Kevin Holland without receiving a single blow in return.
The SportsCenter Twitter account.
September 11, 2022
Chimaev has many of the necessary qualities to become a superstar, but he was jeered like a supervillain since he missed weight by such a large amount.
Instead of apologizing when asked by UFC commentator Joe Rogan about the excess weight, he stated that he didn’t really care.
It was a lesson in how to enrage an audience that appeared to already dislike you.
—Al Dawson (@AlanDawsonSport) on Twitter
September 11, 2022
Chimaev stated, “I’m the most dangerous person in the room.” “I will pursue everyone. I kill everyone. I will proceed through everyone. No one can hinder me.”
It is unknown what Chimaev will do next. He was virtually assured of a shot at the UFC welterweight championship, but even UFC president Dana White was not amused by his inability to make weight.
Elsewhere on the card, Daniel Rodriguez defeated Li Jingliang by split decision, Johnny Walker submitted Ion Cutelaba before being thrown out of the arena with almost no clothing on, and Chris Barnett clinched one of the most chaotic victories of the summer by rallying from the brink to finish Jake Collier.
Tuesday, the UFC will stage a Contender Series event at the Apex, followed by a UFC Fight Night event at the same venue on Saturday.