Tag: UFC 279

Tony Ferguson set for welterweight move, meets Li Jingliang at UFC 279 on September 10.

Tony FergusonFormer interim UFC lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson is set for his first Octagon outing at the welterweight limit since winning The Ultimate Fighter 13 in 2011, returning at UFC 279 on September 10. at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada – as he tackles the #14 ranked, Li Jingliang. Ferguson, who attempts to snap […]

Tony Ferguson

Former interim UFC lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson is set for his first Octagon outing at the welterweight limit since winning The Ultimate Fighter 13 in 2011, returning at UFC 279 on September 10. at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada – as he tackles the #14 ranked, Li Jingliang.

Ferguson, who attempts to snap a disappointing run of four losses against Jingliang next month, most recently featured on the main card of UFC 274 earlier this year in May – suffering a brutal second round front kick knockout loss against Michael Chandler.

Tony Ferguson will make his first outing at 170lbs since winning TUF 13 back in 2011

As for Jingliang, the Xinjiang native returned to the winner’s enclosure at UFC on ABC 3 back in July, finishing Muslim Salikhov with a second round knockout. The stoppage earned Jingliang a Performance of the Night bonus. UFC president Dana White confirmed the matchup of Tony Ferguson and Li Jingliang during his post-fight press conference following UFC 278. (H/T Mike Bohn)

“Dana White just confirmed to me that Tony Ferguson vs. Li Jingliang in a welterweight fight is done for #UFC279 on Sept. 10 in Las Vegas,” Mike Bohn tweeted.

Without a victory since June 2019, Ferguson then extended his division-best undefeated run to 12 consecutive fights with a second round doctor’s stoppage TKO win over the recently retired, Donald Cerrone.

In the midst of a four fight losing streak, Ferguson slipped Chandler earlier this year, adding to prior losses against Beneil Dariush, as well as former lightweight titleholders, Charles Oliveira, and Justin Gaethje.

Prior to his win over Salikhov back in July, Jingliang had been sidelined since October of last year in Abu Dhabi, UAE – where he suffered an infamous first round rear-naked choke against UFC 279 headliner, the undefeated, Khamzat Chimaev.

UFC 279 takes place on September 10. from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada – with a welterweight main event between Khamzat Chimaev and Nate Diaz set to take headlining honours.

UFC 279 Betting Preview – Khamzat Chimaev remains distinct favorite to finish Nate Diaz in September

Khamzat ChimaevAfter opening as high as a whopping -1100 favorite following the initial announcement of his UFC 279 return next month, undefeated welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev still remains a distinct favorite to not only defeat opponent, Nate Diaz – but to finish the Stockton veteran in ‘Sin City’. AllStars mainstay, Khamzat Chimaev, has enjoyed nothing short […]

Khamzat Chimaev

After opening as high as a whopping -1100 favorite following the initial announcement of his UFC 279 return next month, undefeated welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev still remains a distinct favorite to not only defeat opponent, Nate Diaz – but to finish the Stockton veteran in ‘Sin City’.

AllStars mainstay, Khamzat Chimaev, has enjoyed nothing short of a real roughshod run through competition at welterweight since his July 2020 UFC landing pad, albeit in a brief middleweight excursion.

Pitted with Diaz on September 10. at the T-Mobile Arena, Chimaev initially opened as a gargantuan betting favorite against the one-time lightweight title challenger, in one of the widest lines for a fight of this billing and stature in recent memory. 

Chimaev has featured once inside the Octagon already this year, earning his status as the #3 ranked contender at 170lbs with a close, hard-fought unanimous decision win over one-time title challenger, Gilbert Burns at UFC 273 in April.

As for Diaz, the Californian has yet to return to active competition – despite his best intentions since June of last year, where he suffered a one-sided judging loss of his own against incoming UFC 278 headliner, Leon Edwards. 

The added caveat with next month’s pay-per-view headliner between Chimaev and Diaz comes in the form of the latter’s contract with the promotion – which becomes void regardless of result, as Diaz completes his contractual obligations.

Khamzat Chimaev once sat as high as a -1400 favorite over Nate Diaz

Touted as a surefire route for the promotion to shoehorn Chimaev into a championship tilt, UFC leader, Dana White has claimed Diaz would earned his own shot at promotional spoils should he spring one of the most surprising upsets in Octagon antiquity.

“I mean, obviously, if Nate (Diaz) beats Khamzat Chimaev, the number three guy in the world, you’d have to look at Nate, too [for a title shot],” Dana White said. “Everybody’s talking… like that it’s impossible for Nate Diaz to win this fight. Nothing is impossible in fighting. Everything is possible.”

“Nate Diaz wanted this fight,” Dana White explained. “It was either this fight or Francis Ngannou. This fight makes a lot more sense than Francis does. But, you know, for everybody to think that a veteran who’s as durable as Nate Diaz can’t win this fight is insane, so anything is possible. … You get out of the first two rounds and the fight gets interesting.”

Drifting out as short as a staggering -1400 at one stage since the booking of his fight against Diaz – whilst consulting Betsquare, Chechen-born berserker, Chimaev can be backed at Pokies online Australia to defeat Diaz before the distance on September 10.

Diaz, who has been finished just three times in his professional – twice courtesy of TKO and a submission loss to Hermes França, has been touted the sport over for his grit and durability, however, given Khamzat Chimaev’s dominance – both on the feet or from a vertical landing, the 11-0 wrecker is more than widely expected to dispatch Diaz, removing the judge’s scorecards from the equation. 

UFC 279 takes place on September 10. from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada – with both Khamzat Chimaev and Nate Diaz topping the flagship card.

Dana White claims Nate Diaz would secure title shot with UFC 279 win over Khamzat Chimaev

Nate DiazDespite the impending completion of his contractual obligations with the organization, one-time lightweight title challenger, Nate Diaz would likely land himself a shot at welterweight gold should he spring an upset and defeat Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279 next month, per UFC president, Dana White. Diaz, who retains just a single fight on his current […]

Nate Diaz

Despite the impending completion of his contractual obligations with the organization, one-time lightweight title challenger, Nate Diaz would likely land himself a shot at welterweight gold should he spring an upset and defeat Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279 next month, per UFC president, Dana White.

Diaz, who retains just a single fight on his current UFC contract, is set to complete his obligations with the promotion in September, drawing the undefeated, #3 ranked welterweight contender, Chimaev atop a UFC 279 pay-per-view card in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The outing will come as Stockton veteran, Diaz’s first since June of last year, where he featured in the first five round, non-title, non-main event in promotional history against incoming UFC 278 main event star, Leon Edwards.

Part of a rather precarious relationship with the promotion in the time since as he attempts to exit the UFC following lengthy stay with the organization, Diaz has noted his interest in competing in other sports and disciplines post-UFC run. And has failed to ever concretely express an interest in re-upping with the organization. 

However, as per UFC president, September 10. likely not only comes as a potential title-eliminator for the streaking Chimaev, but for Diaz as well, despite his contract situation.

“I mean, obviously, if Nate (Diaz) beats Khamzat Chiamev, the number three guy in the world, you’d have to look at Nate, too [for a title shot],” Dana White told The Underground reporter, John Morgan. “Everybody’s talking… like that it’s impossible for Nate Diaz to win this fight. Nothing is impossible in fighting. Everything is possible.”

Receiving flak for booking the expected one-sided affair between Chimaev and Diaz, White insists that the latter’s veteran expertise paired with his experience savvy should deter onlookers from picking against him.

“Nate Diaz wanted this fight,” Dana White explained. “It was either this fight or Francis Ngannou. This fight makes a lot more sense than Francis does. But, you know, for everybody to think that a veteran who’s as durable as Nate Diaz can’t win this fight is insane, so anything is possible. … You get out of the first two rounds and the fight gets interesting.” (Transcribed by MMA Mania)

Nate Diaz is tasked with snapping a two-fight skid against Khamzat Chimaev

Without a victory since August 2019, Diaz managed to turn in an impressive unanimous decision win over former UFC and WEC lightweight champion, Anthony Pettis on that occasion.

White: You’re Insane If You Think Diaz Can’t Beat Chimaev

UFC President Dana White has a message for those who don’t give Nate Diaz a chance to defeat Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279. Diaz and Chimaev will battle in the UFC 279 headliner on Sept. 10. This is Diaz’s last fight on his current UFC contrac…

UFC President Dana White has a message for those who don’t give Nate Diaz a chance to defeat Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279. Diaz and Chimaev will battle in the UFC 279 headliner on Sept. 10. This is Diaz’s last fight on his current UFC contract, and he isn’t expected to remain with the promotion…

Continue Reading White: You’re Insane If You Think Diaz Can’t Beat Chimaev at MMA News.

Khamzat Chimaev echoes calls for Brock Lesnar fight: ‘Give me $1,000,000, UFC’

Khamzat ChimaevFlirting with a potential middleweight division excursion should he defeat Nate Diaz at the welterweight limit next month at UFC 279, undefeated force, Khamzat Chimaev claims he would fight former heavyweight champion, Brock Lesnar for a sum of $1,000,000 if the UFC wanted to keep him active. Chimaev, who currently boasts an undefeated 11-0 professional […]

Khamzat Chimaev

Flirting with a potential middleweight division excursion should he defeat Nate Diaz at the welterweight limit next month at UFC 279, undefeated force, Khamzat Chimaev claims he would fight former heavyweight champion, Brock Lesnar for a sum of $1,000,000 if the UFC wanted to keep him active.

Chimaev, who currently boasts an undefeated 11-0 professional record, improved his undefeated Octagon tenure back in April on the main card of UFC 273, defeating one-time title challenger, Gilbert Burns in a unanimous decision effort over the course of five rounds.

Initially linked with a potential title-eliminator opposite former interim champion, Colby Covington, Chimaev has since been booked to top his first organizational event in the form of a welterweight main event in September against the exiting, Diaz – who is set to depart the UFC after completing his contractual obligations.

Expected to have one eye placed on this weekend’s welterweight title rematch between Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards, Chimaev has previously noted his willingness to fight middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya just in order to remain active should he overcome Diaz at UFC 279.

Khamzat Chimaev urges the UFC to cough up $1,000,00 for him to fight Brock Lesnar

As well as City Kickboxing mainstay, Adesanya, it appears former undisputed heavyweight champion and professional wrestler, Lesnar has once again found his way onto the radar of AllStars trainee, Chimaev, who claimed he would tackle the behemoth should the UFC fancy booking the unlikely bout.

“I actually told my manager, let me fight at 84(kg) (middleweight) as well,” Khamzat Chimaev told The Mac Life during a recent interview. “But he said, let’s wait and focus on 170. Take the belt, and then we’ll go up.”

“I’m ready for everyone, like, when I said I can fight with Brock Lesnar, it’s real,” Khamzat Chimaev explained. “I can fight with him, if they (the UFC) give me $1,000,000, it’s no problem. Let’s fight who they want. Kamaru Usman doesn’t matter.” 

Yet to return to professional mixed martial arts since a surprise UFC 200 appearance back in July 2016, Lesnar originally landed a one-sided unanimous decision win over Mark Hunt, however, the result was overturned to an official ‘No Contest’ after Lesnar failed an in-competition USADA drug test.

Kamaru Usman remains coy on Khamzat Chimaev fight: ‘I don’t know if I’m looking forward to it’

Kamaru UsmanLinked with a future welterweight title defense agaisnt the undefeated, Khamzat Chimaev ahead of his UFC 278 headliner this weekend, division best, Kamaru Usman remains coy on potentially drawing the Chechen-born force, as he prepares to rematch Leon Edwards. Usman, the current undisputed welterweight champion, is set to take main event honors at the Vivint […]

Kamaru Usman

Linked with a future welterweight title defense agaisnt the undefeated, Khamzat Chimaev ahead of his UFC 278 headliner this weekend, division best, Kamaru Usman remains coy on potentially drawing the Chechen-born force, as he prepares to rematch Leon Edwards.

Usman, the current undisputed welterweight champion, is set to take main event honors at the Vivint Arena this Saturday in Salt Lake City, drawing the surging, #2 ranked Edwards in a rematch of their prior decision affair back in December 2015.

Attempting to rack up his astonishing sixteenth straight UFC victory, Kamaru Usman also looks to land his sixth successful defense of the welterweight title, after landing a pair of triumphs against both Colby Covington, and Jorge Masvidal – sandwiched between a knockout of former teammate, Gilbert Burns.

Insisting that he is repeatedly “lapping” his opponents and contenders at welterweight, Usman has since found himself linked with what seems an inevitable title outing against the aforenoted, Chimaev in the future.

Kamaru Usman weighs up a potential future fight with Khamzat Chimaev post-UFC 278

Slated to headline UFC 279 against Nate Diaz next month, Chimaev is expected to earn a title shot with a victory over the exiting Stockton favorite, however, Usman has admitted that he is unsure whether he is receptive to the prospect of fighting the AllStars berserker.

“I don’t know if I’m looking forward to it,” Kamaru Usman said of a Khamzat Chimaev fight during a sitdown with ESPN MMA reporter, Brett Okamoto. “The Leon (Edward) one is big to me, because I fight these guys – when I say I fight these guys, I fight their hearts. And after the fight – and Leon, now, has kinda gotten on a roll and he says certain things like, ‘No, it’s destiny, I’m gonna take the belt from the guy that beat me a long time ago.’ It strikes a nerve inside me – I’m awake.”

“Every camp is tough, I train just as difficult for every camp,” Kamaru Usman said. “And so thst is still tough. And mentally I’m there – there might not be as much noise around it, but I’m still up. The Khamzat (Chimaev) – if that fight does come about, I think I have to have the ability to not get wrapped up in what’s gonna happen. Because that’s where, I’m emotional – but I don’t necessarily wanna fight emotional. And what makes me who I am, is being able to control my emotions. I’d be lying if I said, I won’t be getting up, you know, much more for that one.” 

Enjoying a roughshod run through welterweight competition during his Octagon tenure to date, beyond a D’Arce choke win over John Philips, Chimaev has stopped the trio of Rhys McKee, Gerald Meerschaert, and Li Jingliang, to go with his April unanimous decision win over common-foe, Burns in Jacksonville, Florida.