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UFC 279 preview: Chimaev set to steamroll Diaz
UFC 279 is back this weekend with what will no doubt be an action-packed card, with a welterweight marathon in the co-main and main event.
The main event will take place on Sunday at 3am BST, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
We preview the best of the action below.
Chimaev v Diaz: Chimaev shooting for title shot
When you think of an absolute warrior in the cage, a few fighters come to mind, but none better fulfil the role than Nate Diaz. Over his 15 year-long UFC career, Diaz has faced the toughest calibre of opponent and put fear in their eyes, as he relentlessly marches forward despite any damage he has absorbed.
Diaz heads into this fight the significant underdog at 11/2, coming off a unanimous decision loss to newly crowned welterweight champion Leon Edwards. This will be the last fight in his contract, and at aged 37, some critics are worried about the wellbeing of the athlete, especially when faced against a monster like Khamzat Chimaev.
Chimaev is undefeated at 11-0 and is aiming for the number one contender spot for a chance to take the welterweight belt. His last outing saw him tested to a new level when he took home a unanimous decision win over Gilbert Burns despite being in trouble throughout the bout. This five round main-event will be the perfect step up for Chimaev, and he heads into this bout the overwhelming 1/9 favourite.
Chimaev was only hit two times in his first four appearances in the UFC, absolutely dominating his opponents. His fight against Burns was the only bout Chimaev went the distance in, which speaks to his natural fight ending ability, but also raises questions over his stamina for a five round main event.
Chimaev has many paths to victory here, but grappling seems the obvious area that the Dagestani fighter will be able to dominate, with 100% takedown defence and 66% takedown accuracy, compared to Nate’s 41% takedown defence. This leaves Diaz particularly vulnerable in this area, with Chimaev priced at 5/2 to win by submission.
The question remains, will Chimaev manage to handle the pressure of a five round main event on his ascent to the top? The bout looks unlikely to go to the judges’ scorecards, with odds on the fight going the distance at 4/1.
Check out all the latest betting offers at William Hill
Li Jingliang v Tony Ferguson: Ferguson back to basics
The co-main event of the evening is another welterweight match-up, between veteran Tony Ferguson and Chinese star Li Jingliang. This will mark Ferguson’s first fight back at 170 pounds since winning the ultimate fighter, as he looks to rebound from losing four fights on the bounce. Prior to slipping into this losing streak, Ferguson had amassed a 12-fight win streak, and despite the four losses to top class opponents in what were highly entertaining fights, his record still stands at 25-6.
“El Cucuy” will enter the bout as the 21/10 underdog, despite his accomplished resume and five-inch reach advantage. It seems safe to assume this fight will be as highly entertaining as his previous match ups, and either one of these fighters could put the lights out for their opponent. Ferguson is 12/1 to win by knockout on Saturday night.
Jingliang took home a performance of the night bonus the last time he visited the octagon, with a stunning second round TKO. In the bout before that, he lost to the star of this week’s main event, Khamzat Chimaev, in a brutal round one submission.
The 34-year-old heads into this bout the 4/11 favourite and will be looking to make a push up the rankings should this bout end successfully for him. His last four victories have all come by way of knockout or technical knockout, with the price on him to win by these methods being 6/4 ahead of this weekend.
Either way this fight plays out it looks set to be a highly entertaining match-up. And with both fighters ‘stand and bang’ attitude, it also looks unlikely to go the distance at evens, but given both fighters experience and skill, neither will be wanting a nap on the canvas.
