Get up to date on the main event of UFC 279 between Nate Diaz and Tony Ferguson.
The main event of UFC 279 will feature a welterweight fight between Nate Diaz (20-13 MMA, 15-11 UFC) and Tony Ferguson (25-7 MMA, 15-5 UFC). UFC 279: Diaz vs. Ferguson airs live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada this Saturday, September 10th. The main card will start with a fight time of 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT, with the ESPNews/ESPN+ prelims beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT and the early prelims kicking off at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT.
How do these two stack up?
Diaz: 37 years old | 6’0” | 76” reach
Ferguson: 38 years old | 6’0” | 76.5” reach
What have these two done recently?
Diaz: L – Leon Edwards (DEC) | L – Jorge Masvidal (TKO) | W – Anthony Pettis (DEC)
Ferguson: L – Michael Chandler (KO) | L – Beneil Dariush (DEC) | L – Charles Oliveira (DEC)
How did these two get here?
In perhaps one of the most chaotic weeks in UFC history, we are getting a fight that should have happened years ago: Nate Diaz vs. Tony Ferguson.
On the final fight of his UFC contract, Diaz was supposed to share the Octagon with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279 — a booking that was equal parts confusing and intriguing. However, because Chimaev weighed in seven-and-a-half pounds over the welterweight limit, the pay-per-view event underwent some serious changes on a few hours’ notice and gave us three new fights, including Diaz vs. Ferguson.
The Stockton native is 0-2 in his past two fights, but in usual Diaz fashion, he has stolen the show. From competing for a symbolic belt to nearly snatching victory from the jaws of defeat against Leon Edwards (the newly crowned UFC welterweight champion, by the way), Diaz has shown time and time again why he continues to be one of the biggest draws in the promotion.
The same can be said about Ferguson, who puts on a show each and every time he sets foot in the cage. Sure, ‘El Cucuy’ is on a career-worst four-fight losing streak, but he still shows up and shows out against whoever is in front of him. Expect the same when he meets Diaz on Saturday night.
Why should you care?
Diaz and Ferguson are two UFC legends. This is going to be one hell of a fight!