Nate Diaz’s final fight of his current UFC contract would be a banger.
UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell announced Tuesday that Diaz (20-13 MMA, 18-12 UFC) and rising star Khamzat Chimaev (11-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) have verbally agreed to fight Sept. 10 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The bout will be five rounds and serve as the card’s main event.
Diaz vs. Chimaev was a fight the UFC tried to book last year. Diaz turned down the fight then. As of last week, Diaz said the UFC hadn’t formally offered another bout. Diaz, who’s been clear that he wants out of the promotion, voiced his interest in exploring other avenues and said he felt the UFC was holding him “hostage.”
UFC president Dana White disputed Diaz’s claim and reiterated his statement that the promotion “needs” to offer each fighter three fights per year.
Meanwhile, Chimaev continued his tear through the UFC welterweight division when he won a three-round war at UFC 273 in April against former title challenger Gilbert Burns.
“I am going to handle Nate Diaz’s funeral with the UFC,” Chimaev said in a statement given to ESPN.
UFC 279 lineup:
Khamzat Chimaev vs. Nate Diaz
Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Jailton Almeida
Norma Dumont vs. Danyelle Wolf
Irene Aldana vs. Macy Chiasson
Denis Tiuliulin vs. Jamie Pickett
Heili Alateng vs. Chad Anheliger
Melissa Martinez vs. Elise Reed
