UFC 279 LIVE: Diaz vs Ferguson and Chimaev vs Holland fight results tonight
Re-live updates from a drastically-reworked fight card at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena
Nate Diaz exited the UFC with a submission victory on Saturday, beating fellow fan favourite Tony Ferguson in the final fight of his UFC contract.
Diaz had been scheduled to take on the UFC’s fastest-rising star, Khamzat Chimaev, in the main event of UFC 279, but Chimaev weighed in seven-and-a-half pounds over the welterweight limit, causing the card to be drastically reworked. American Diaz ultimately took on compatriot Ferguson, who was originally due to face Li Jingliang. The Chinaman instead fought Daniel Rodriguez, whose original opponent Kevin Holland went up against Chimaev.
Diaz and Chimaev both emerged as submission winners from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with 37-year-old Diaz forcing Ferguson, 38, to tap out to a guillotine choke in the fourth round, after Chimaev had submitted Holland with a D’Arce choke in the co-main event. “I outdid everybody on pay, I outdid everybody on surviving,” Diaz reflected on his UFC career in his post-fight interview. “I wanna get out [of] the UFC for a minute and show all these other fighters how to own up another sport. Then I’m gonna be right back here to get a motherf*****g UFC title.” Re-live updates from UFC 279 below.
UFC 279 LIVE
Chimaev, 28, is ranked third at welterweight.
He’s 11-0 as a professional mixed martial artist and won his first 10 fights via finish, before outpointing former UFC title challenger Gilbert Burns in a brutal bout in April.
UFC 279 LIVE
Chimaev sprints and jumps his way to the ring like a wild man.
UFC 279 LIVE
Holland has admitted that his family are worried about him because they ‘know’ his wrestling skills aren’t up to scratch, but he joked that he doesn’t mind anyway, as he’ll be making a good amount of money against Chimaev.
A fair few cheers for American Holland, while Chimaev emerges to heavy boos.
UFC 279 LIVE
Next up is another catchweight bout, as Khamzat Chimaev faces Kevin Holland over five rounds.
Chimaev was due to fight Nate Diaz in the main event at welterweight, but the unbeaten Russian-born Swede missed weight, causing the card to be rejigged.
As such, he takes on Holland, who was previously scheduled to go up against Daniel Rodriguez.
Chimaev and Holland clashed backstage earlier this week, leading to the cancellation of the UFC 279 pre-fight press conference.
UFC 279 press conference cancelled after backstage incidents
Chimaev reportedly kicked fellow fighter Kevin Holland, before Nate Diaz’s team became involved
UFC 279 LIVE
Daniel Rodriguez def. Li Jingliang via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
Rodriguez gets it!!
UFC 279 LIVE
Li vs Rodriguez – Round 3
The final buzzer sounds, and we’ll go to the judges’ scorecards.
Three pretty close rounds, but Li may just get the nod here...
UFC 279 LIVE
Li vs Rodriguez – Round 3
Final frame! Li wings a left hook that forces Rodriguez backwards.
Rodriguez comes back with some stinging southpaw jabs, however.
UFC 279 LIVE
Li vs Rodriguez – Round 2
The crowd boos a slower period of the fight. Both fighters try for big overhands, but neither lands.
Li just misses with a Superman punch but connects with a left hook then right overhand! Rodriguez appears to be a bit hurt...
Li catches a kick and takes down D-Rod, but the buzzer sounds before the Chinaman can mount any extra offence.
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