Breaking – Khamzat Chimaev out, Nate Diaz headlines against Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 on short notice

Nate DiazFollowing today’s stunning weight miss by undefeated welterweight challenger, Khamzat Chimaev, Nate Diaz is slated to headline UFC 279 tomorrow night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada – scoring a short notice fight against former interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson at the welterweight limit. Nate Diaz lands an impromptu headliner against Tony Ferguson […]

Nate Diaz

Following today’s stunning weight miss by undefeated welterweight challenger, Khamzat Chimaev, Nate Diaz is slated to headline UFC 279 tomorrow night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada – scoring a short notice fight against former interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson at the welterweight limit.

Nate Diaz lands an impromptu headliner against Tony Ferguson

As per UFC president, Dana White, who confirmed the new event headliner during an interview with ESPN Sportscenter — Nate Diaz will remain on tomorrow’s UFC 279 – in a headlining function, as he draws Ferguson at the welterweight limit, following Chimaev’s weight cut blunder. 

Earlier this Friday evening, reports emerged detailing how Chimaev was struggling to shed the remaining pounds to successfully make the 171lbs welterweight non-title fight limit, before the AllStars MMA staple tipped the scales at 178.5lbs – a total seven and a half pounds above the non-title fight limit.

As for Diaz, the Stockton veteran successfully made weight at 171lbs ahead of his final contracted fight with the organization.

Originally, former interim lightweight titleholder, Ferguson was scheduled to co-headline UFC 279 this weekend against Chinese finisher, Li Jingliang, however, Chimaev’s weight cut mishap has forced the impromtu headlining fight between Diaz and Ferguson. 

Last time out, Diaz featured on the main card of UFC 263 back in June of last year against current welterweight champion, Leon Edwards, suffering a unanimous decision loss.

As for Ferguson, the Oxnard fan-favorite featured on the main card of UFC 274 back in May against Michael Chandler, suffering a brutal second round front kick knockout loss. Tomorrow’s fight against Diaz will come as Ferguson’s first fight at the welterweight limit since 2011.

Fighters react to Khamzat Chimaev’s weigh-in ‘disaster’ for UFC 279: ‘The Smash brothers are eating good’

Khamzat ChimaevKhamzat Chimaev was criticized by fellow fighters after he failed to make weight for UFC 279. The top-ranked welterweight contender was scheduled to take on Nate Diaz in the main event this Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tensions were rising during the build-up and the pre-fight press conference got called off due […]

Khamzat Chimaev

Khamzat Chimaev was criticized by fellow fighters after he failed to make weight for UFC 279.

The top-ranked welterweight contender was scheduled to take on Nate Diaz in the main event this Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tensions were rising during the build-up and the pre-fight press conference got called off due to the risk of a brawl backstage.

Fighters react to Khamzat Chimaev missing weight for UFC 279

At this morning’s weigh-ins, Chimaev missed weight by a huge margin, showing up at 178.5 pounds for the 170-pound contest. Chimaev put the pay-per-view finale at risk as the fight would not get sanctioned by the athletic commission based on the current standings.

Following the epic mishap, reactions from fellow fighters and members of the community came flooding in.

Top-ranked welterweight Belal Muhammad tweeted: “Me vs khamzat at 185 Tony vs Nate at 170 and. leech can be the special guest referee.”

Derek Brunson chimed in, tweeting: “The Smash brothers are eating good ….178.5 for Chimaev. What an disaster #UFC279”

Mini Khabib claimed to have spotted Chimaev eating dinner and drinking sparkling water the night before at a restaurant. Michael Chiesa shared her message: “Ran into Khamzat Chimaev He was hanging out at a restaurant for hours drinking sparkling water and eating the night before weigh ins and now Khamzat misses weight . I was worried all night about this when I saw it.hope the fight still happens tomorrow . #ufc279.”

Julian Marquez asked the burning question: “Okay, so what happens next? 8lbs is a lot of weight. I’m pretty sure commission cuts the fight after 5lb over (not 100% on that). Did we just lose our headliner?”

Paulo Costa gave his take: “GourmetChenChen trying losing some weight Good morning for those can’t make weight.”

Kevin Holland made weight early and shared a video commenting on the situation.

Who will be next for Khamzat Chimaev?

Fighters React To Chimaev’s Massive UFC 279 Weight Miss

UFC welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev shook up the highly anticipated UFC 279 event when he weighed in at 178.5lbs at Friday’s weigh-ins. Chimaev was set to face Nate Diaz in the UFC 279 main event on Saturday night. Anticipation for the mat…

UFC welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev shook up the highly anticipated UFC 279 event when he weighed in at 178.5lbs at Friday’s weigh-ins. Chimaev was set to face Nate Diaz in the UFC 279 main event on Saturday night. Anticipation for the matchup escalated after a backstage brawl involving Chimaev, Diaz, Kevin Holland, and others that…

Continue Reading Fighters React To Chimaev’s Massive UFC 279 Weight Miss at MMA News.

Andreas Michael reflects on Khamzat Chimaev after his backstage altercation at UFC 279: He ‘has the heart of a Lion.’

Khamzat ChimaevKhamzat Chimaev’s coach Andreas Michael has taken to social media to reflect on his student’s backstage brawl which took place with Kevin Holland prior to the scheduled UFC press conference. UFC 279 has undoubtedly been one of the most unique fight weeks so far. At the time of writing one half of the main event, […]

Khamzat Chimaev

Khamzat Chimaev’s coach Andreas Michael has taken to social media to reflect on his student’s backstage brawl which took place with Kevin Holland prior to the scheduled UFC press conference.

UFC 279 has undoubtedly been one of the most unique fight weeks so far. At the time of writing one half of the main event, Khamzat Chimaev is currently 7.5 pounds overweight, and questions are now circulating about whom Nate Diaz will face in the main event of UFC 279.

Prior to all this commotion, Andreas Michael was full of praise for his student following his confrontation with Kevin Holland and Team Diaz backstage which ultimately led to the press conference being canceled.

Despite the rumors circulating Andreas Michael has claimed the chaos ensuing yesterday’s incident had been exaggerated greatly however not everyone left the way they entered.

“What happened was that Khamzat went inside by himself, then he came and it started with Kevin Holland and gave him, like, a boot in the chest.”

“Then they started whatever they’re doing and then the Diaz crew came in and they started doing what they were doing. But nobody got injured, thank God.”

Andreas Michael responds to rumours surrounding Darren Till

One of the rumors circulating throughout social media following the incident was that Darren Till had been stabbed during the ordeal. Something that clearly was never going to be true. However to put minds at ease after some regarding the entire matter and to get the truth out Michael spoke on Till on his social media ensuring all that the scouser was in a good way.

“Darren didn’t visit the hospital, so everything was good, guys,” Michael said. “That’s what happened.

“We’re here to fight in the cage, not in the streets. Fifty-to-one, things like that — sportsmen, sportsmen, that’s what we are. Sportsmen. So let’s f****** be sportsmen and stop all this s***. On Saturday, we’ve got a fight coming up and that’s the most important thing.” (Transcribed by MMAFighting)

What do you make of Andreas Micheal’s comments?

What do you make of the UFC 279 backstage brawl? Exciting or unprofessional?

Dustin Poirier offers to fight Nate Diaz at UFC 279 amid massive Khamzat Chimaev weight miss

Dustin PoirierHighly unlikely to feature in any conversation to feature in an impromptu UFC 279 headliner at welterweight against Nate Diaz, former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has thrown his name into the hat, however, after Khamzat Chimaev tipped the welterweight scales at 178.5lbs – a full seven and a half pounds above the non-title limit. […]

Dustin Poirier

Highly unlikely to feature in any conversation to feature in an impromptu UFC 279 headliner at welterweight against Nate Diaz, former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has thrown his name into the hat, however, after Khamzat Chimaev tipped the welterweight scales at 178.5lbs – a full seven and a half pounds above the non-title limit.

Slated to headline this weekend at UFC 279 against the Stockton veteran, Diaz, Chimaev stepped on the official scales at this evening’s weigh-ins at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada – missing the non-title limit at welterweight by seven and a half pounds, casting his fight with Diaz into major jeopardy.

Weighing in after Diaz, the Californian successfully made the weight non-title limit of 171lbs for his contracted headliner with Chimaev. 

With the promotion now mulling over potential replacements for Chimaev, with a plan in place since earlier this Friday – former interim lightweight titleholder, Dustin Poirier, who had been chomping at the bit to fight Diaz since the beginning of this year, has offered to fight the Stockton native.

Dustin Poirier makes offer to fight Nate Diaz on short notice at UFC 279

Sharing a picture of him standing on his weighing scales, Dustin Poirier, a native of Lafayette, Louisiana – shared the image of him weighing 176.6lbs on his official Twitter account – in an attempt to likely save the card and land a welterweight fight with Diaz. 

Despite his massive weight miss, Chimaev, as per UFC officials at the UFC Apex facility – along with both Hakeem Dawodu, and Chris Barnett, will not attempt to make weight at the second time of trying following misses for all three.

Poking fun at his glaring weight cut miss, Chimaev shared a photoshopped picture of himself and teammate, former welterweight championship challenger, Darren Till, joking that the Liverpool native was to blame for his weight skew. 

“@darrentill2 it’s his fault (laughing face emoji),” Khamzat Chimaev tweeted.