Nate Diaz is counting Friday’s chaos as a win over Khamzat Chimaev ahead of UFC 279.
“Scared. “Scared.
“At least I don’t have to deal with this, so that’s 1-0 on [Chimaev]. So if I can get through this dude tomorrow, then that’s 2-0 for the weekend. So this is 2-for-1.”
Diaz refers to Tony Ferguson. Tony Ferguson is the UFC’s long-standing competitor who entered UFC 279’s main show on Friday, after Chimaev’s shocking miss at the official weigh ins. 178. Chimaev was the first to tip the scales. 5 pounds, 7. 5 pounds over the limit for a non-title welterweight contest, forcing a flurry of last-second changes to the card.
In the end, Diaz is set to face Ferguson in a five-round welterweight fight for UFC 279’s main event, while Chimaev is slated to face Kevin Holland in a five-round catchweight contest in Saturday’s co-main event. Li Jingliang vs. Daniel Rodriguez is also on the main card.
“It’s all a mess. It’s f****** irritating,” Diaz said. “I trained for Khamzat. This guy is a complete unknown to me. Watching some video is fine, however ***, that doesn’t really matter because I train every day for everyone. I don’t train for fights anymore, I just train to fight everybody always, ready for war. Although it makes me happy, I don’t support the bulls*** they’ve tried to force on me.
” This guy is a minor-leaguer. Straight up, a little-leaguer playing in the major leagues. He felt that I wasn’t welcome. He is not someone I want to fight in this ring. But I will fight him if I can f ****** locate his b **** partner here .”
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To make matters more complicated, Diaz’s quick-notice switch of opponents follows a wild backstage brawl between Holland and Chimaev that saw them all arguing with each other. This resulted in the cancellation of Thursday’s press conference.
It’s been a week of chaos for Diaz, but also one that comes to somewhat of a happy resolution for a 15-year UFC veteran who is fighting on the final bout of his contract.
“I don’t like that no more, getting into fights with people that I don’t appreciate, that don’t deserve, who haven’t put in the time. So at least I’m dealing with somebody right now who’s been through it,” Diaz said. “Even if this is my last fight, and I don’t plan to make it that, it will be with someone who has been through it, as well as someone who’s respected.
“So whatever happens, happens. But I’m glad I just beat that little b****.”
