UFC returns to Las Vegas, Nevada for UFC 279, headlined by a five-round welterweight fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Nate Diaz.
The number three ranked Chimaev has been tearing through the welterweight division since his UFC debut in July 2020, riding a five fight win streak; he beat former welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns in his last bout via unanimous decision.
Diaz takes on the undefeated Chimaev who doesn’t share his opponents winning form. Despite being one of the most recognisable fighters in the world, Diaz has been infrequent when it comes to fights, only competing in three fights since 2019, winning once and losing twice, the latter being his last two outings.
VegasInsider takes a closer look at the welterweight main event, as Joe Osborne and UFC lightweight Mark Madsen break down if Chimaev beating Diaz is as a foregone conclusion as the bookmakers deem it to be.
The Chechynian fighter is currently -800 to outright beat Diaz, with Diaz coming in at +550, and Madsen agrees with the betting line who goes on to say that Chimaev will “absolutely ragdoll” Diaz.
He stated: “I think Chimaev will absolutely ragdoll Nate Diaz. I think we’re going to see a finish… I think we’re going to see Chimaev submit Diaz.”
Chimaev to finish Diaz is a bold claim from Madsen, who has only ever been stopped twice in his 25 fight UFC career and is known for having a chin that is one of the most durable in the sport.
This fight with Chimaev is the last on Diaz’s current UFC deal, and Madsen believes the Stockton fighter will leave the UFC to pursue an exhibition fight with one of Jake or Logan Paul.
The duo also covered UFC 279’s co-main event, a welterweight clash between Li Jingliang and former Interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson, as Osborne and Madsen ponder whether this fight could be the one that forces Ferguson into retirement.
