UFC 279 LIVE results: Nate Diaz vs Ferguson and Chimaev vs Holland stream and latest fight updates tonight

Nate Diaz and Tony Ferguson will meet in the main event of UFC 279 tonight, after Khamzat Chimaev’s failed weight-cut caused a major shake-up to the card at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

Icon Diaz, entering the final fight of his UFC contract, was set to face the fastest-rising star in the company in Chimaev, but the Russian-born Swede capped off a week to forget by missing weight. The unbeaten Chimaev, 28, had already confronted middleweight Paulo Costa at the UFC Performance Institute on Monday and caused a series of backstage incidents on Thursday by kicking Kevin Holland, the latter moment seeing the pre-fight press conference abandoned.

Now, fan favourite Ferguson will fight fellow veteran Diaz in a five-round, welterweight main event, while Chimaev takes on Holland in a catchweight bout. Meanwhile, Ferguson and Holland’s original opponents – Li Jingliang and Daniel Rodriguez – also meet in a catchweight contest. Fans have long wished to see Americans Diaz, 37, and Ferguson, 38, go head to head, and they will finally get their chance this evening before Diaz rides off into the sunset. Meanwhile, Chimaev’s remarkable rise up the welterweight rankings has hit its first real roadblock, with his future in the division now at least somewhat unclear. Follow live updates from UFC 279 below.

UFC 279 LIVE

• Fans at T-Mobile Arena boo tribute to the Queen following her death this week

• Nate Diaz vs Tony Ferguson (welterweight)

• Chimaev def. Holland via first-round submission (D’Arce choke, 2:13)

• Rodriguez def. Li via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

• Aldana def. Chiasson via third-round TKO (up-kick, 2:21)

• Walker def. Cutelaba via first-round submission (rear-naked choke, 4:37)

• Plus live updates and results from the UFC 279 prelims

UFC 279 LIVE

05:01 , Alex Pattle

Next up is the main even! Nate Diaz vs Tony Ferguson at welterweight, five rounds scheduled.

UFC 279 LIVE

05:00 , Alex Pattle

UFC 279 LIVE

04:56 , Alex Pattle

“I’m the most dangerous guy here, I’m coming for everyone,” Chimaev says.

“I don’t care about that s***,” he says about his failed weight-cut. “Doctors stopped me; I didn’t come to die in my bed, I came to die in the cage.”

UFC 279 LIVE

04:54 , Alex Pattle

Khamzat Chimaev def. Kevin Holland via first-round submission (D’Arce choke, 2:13).

UFC 279 LIVE

04:54 , Alex Pattle

Both fighters show each other respect.

UFC 279 LIVE

04:53 , Alex Pattle

Holland taps!!! Chimaev wins via first-round submission!!!

UFC 279 LIVE

04:52 , Alex Pattle

Chimaev vs Holland – Round 1

The fighters touch gloves. Immediately Chimaev secures a takedown!

Holland scrambles well to ensure that Chimaev doesn’t take his back, but Chimaev at once gets another takedown.

Holland closes guard, and Chimaev looks to get off strikes, as the crowd chants “USA”.

Holland stands against the fence! He’s dragged down again, and Chimaev tries for a D’Arce choke.

Holland tries to roll away... He’s a jiu-jitsu black belt, but Chimaev is a phenomenal grappler.

UFC 279 LIVE

04:49 , Alex Pattle

HERE WE GO!

UFC 279 LIVE

04:49 , Alex Pattle

Thursday’s series of backstage incidents seemed to start with Chimaev kicking Holland.

UFC 279 LIVE

04:49 , Alex Pattle

Holland, 29, is looking for a third straight win to improve his 23-7 (1 No Contest) pro record.

He had a terrific 2020, fighting five times and winning all of those bouts via finish, but in 2021 he lost two of his three outings before the final one was declared a No Contest.

He is 2-0 in 2022, however, with two finishes.

UFC 279 LIVE

04:47 , Alex Pattle

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

04:46 , Alex Pattle

Chimaev sprints and jumps his way to the ring like a wild man.

UFC 279 LIVE

04:45 , Alex Pattle

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

04:44 , Alex Pattle

UFC 279 LIVE

04:44 , Alex Pattle

UFC 279 LIVE

04:38 , Alex Pattle

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

UFC 279 LIVE

04:34 , Alex Pattle

Daniel Rodriguez def. Li Jingliang via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).

Rodriguez gets it!!

UFC 279 LIVE

04:32 , Alex Pattle

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

04:31 , Alex Pattle

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

04:27 , Alex Pattle

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.

UFC 279 LIVE

04:24 , Alex Pattle

Li vs Rodriguez – Round 2

Lots of feinting from Li, who then times a right cross well. He throws a right overhand that appears to connect.

A hard low kick then a front kick to the body by Li, who is just out of range as Rodriguez looks to establish his jab.

UFC 279 LIVE

04:21 , Alex Pattle

Li vs Rodriguez – Round 1

Li catches a kick then evades a spinning back fist attempt. He kicks low now.

Li is staying nice and relaxed, but he won’t be for much longer! He’s too casual with a kick, and Rodriguez counters with a clean one-two – a left then right hook!

Li regains composure and trips Rodriguez with a low kick late in the round.

UFC 279 LIVE

04:18 , Alex Pattle

Li vs Rodriguez – Round 1

Rodriguez catches Li with a couple of left hooks. He’s noticably the bigger man.

Rodriguez kicks to the body now, before Li responds in kind. Lots of forward pressure from Rodriguez.

UFC 279 LIVE

04:13 , Alex Pattle

This one plays out at 180lbs.

UFC 279 LIVE

04:07 , Alex Pattle

Khamzat Chimaev misses weight for Nate Diaz fight at UFC 279 then jokes on Twitter

UFC 279 LIVE

04:06 , Alex Pattle

Let’s try to be as clear as possible... UFC 279 was supposed to end with these three fights:

Nate Diaz vs Khamzat Chimaev (welterweight); Tony Ferguson vs Li Jingliang (welterweight); and Kevin Holland vs Daniel Rodriguez (catchweight).

Instead, UFC 279 will end with these three fights:

Diaz vs Ferguson (welterweight); Chimaev vs Holland (catchweight); and Li vs Daniel (catchweight).

That’s all because Chimaev missed weight.

UFC 279 LIVE

04:02 , Alex Pattle

Next up: Li Jingliang faces Daniel Rodriguez in a catchweight fight.

“The Leech” Li was due to fight Tony Ferguson at welterweight, but Ferguson is now taking on Nate Diaz in the main event following Khamzat Chimaev’s failed weight-cut.

As such, Ferguson’s original opponent Li fights Rodriguez, who was due to face Kevin Holland.

Holland instead faces Chimaev.

Makes sense?

UFC 279 LIVE

03:59 , Alex Pattle

Aldana vs Chiasson – Round 3

Oh, it’s all over! Aldana with a remarkable finish!!

She’s on the mat but catches Chiasson with an up-kick to the body, her heel landing to Chiasson’s liver!

Chiasson collapses, and there’s some confusion until the result is announced! What a unique ending to the fight.

Irene Aldana def. Macy Chiasson via third-round TKO (up-kick, 2:21).

UFC 279 LIVE

03:55 , Alex Pattle

Aldana vs Chiasson – Round 2

More elbows from Chiasson! What a turnaround from her. She tries for a rear naked choke then an arm-triangle, but neither is quite there for her.

Still, a great round for her. The women are surely tied heading into the final frame.

UFC 279 LIVE

03:53 , Alex Pattle

UFC fans boo tribute to the Queen and chant ‘USA’ at Las Vegas event

UFC 279 LIVE

03:52 , Alex Pattle

Aldana vs Chiasson – Round 2

It’s remarkable that Chiasson survived that opening round.

Again Aldana ends up on top after a grappling exchange, and she’s seeking a leg lock.

Chiasson reverses well and takes the back! She’s raining down elbows as Aldana kneels.

UFC 279 LIVE

03:46 , Alex Pattle

Aldana vs Chiasson – Round 1

Chiasson soon backs up Aldana against the fence, but Aldana is soon able to get free.

Aldana finds some success on the feet then gets the better of a scramble as the fight hits the mat!

She tries for an armbar... but Chiasson slips free! Her arm had hyper-extended, wow!

UFC 279 LIVE

03:41 , Alex Pattle

And we’re under way...

UFC 279 LIVE

03:39 , Alex Pattle

Next up: Irene Aldana vs Macy Chiasson in a catchweight bout.

UFC 279 LIVE

03:31 , Alex Pattle

Johnny Walker def. Ion Cutelaba via first-round submission (rear-naked choke, 4:37).

UFC 279 LIVE

03:29 , Alex Pattle

Walker vs Cutelaba – Round 1

Cutelaba secures an early takedown, but Walker does well to stay patient, limit damage and eventually stand.

Walker is even able to take the back in a scramble, and he locks in a rear naked choke... Cutelaba taps!

Of all the possible results, Walker via submission?!

UFC 279 LIVE

03:20 , Alex Pattle

Here we go!

UFC 279 LIVE

03:09 , Alex Pattle

A light heavyweight fight between Johnny Walker and Ion Cutelaba is up first.

Not many fans expect this one to go the distance...

UFC 279 LIVE

03:02 , Alex Pattle

That’s all from the UFC 279 prelims! Up next, the main card.

This should be fun.

UFC 279 LIVE

03:02 , Alex Pattle

Julian Erosa def. Hakeem Dawodu via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

UFC 279 LIVE

03:01 , Alex Pattle

Dawodu vs Erosa – Round 3

Erosa with a knee up the middle in close, then a right hook. He tries for a double-leg takedown and gets it against the fence, before immediately taking the back and securing a body triangle. One minute left in the fight.

Erosa is close to locking in a rear naked choke but can’t quite get it, so again he opts to punch Dawodu.

Dawodu slips free and stands late in the round, but he’ll be headed for a decision defeat here...

UFC 279 LIVE

02:58 , Alex Pattle

Dawodu vs Erosa – Round 3

Dawodu stalks Erosa, who is taking no unnecessary risks so far.

Front kick connects to the body of Erosa. Dawodu kicks low then appears to catch Erosa on the end of a right cross.

Erosa sneaks in an uppercut to the chin of Dawodu, however, as the Canadian comes forward.

Dawodu backs Erosa up against the fence then buries a left hook into his opponent’s ribs. Erosa with a flurry up top.

UFC 279 LIVE

02:56 , Alex Pattle

UFC 279 LIVE

02:55 , Alex Pattle

Dawodu’s cornerman is honest and tells him that he needs a finish.

UFC 279 LIVE

02:54 , Alex Pattle

Dawodu vs Erosa – Round 2

Erosa rolls under a punch and shoots for a double-leg takedown, which he completes against the fence.

Dawodu stands, and Erosa jumps onto his back. Dawodu hits the mat again and looks to fight his opponent’s hands.

Erosa momentarily looks to have a rear naked choke in, but he hasn’t quite got the grip tight enough.

He opts to punch Dawodu instead, but the Canadian does well to stand late in the round.

UFC 279 LIVE

02:51 , Alex Pattle

Dawodu vs Erosa – Round 2

Dawodu tries to get behind his jab here. He adds a right straight that connects to the head of Erosa.

Erosa just misses with a front kick to the head; Dawodu responds with a successful front kick to the body.

Lancing jab lands for Dawodu, before Erosa misses with a left hook.

UFC 279 LIVE

02:48 , Alex Pattle

Dawodu vs Erosa – Round 1

Dawodu is quick to stand. More success for Erosa with uppercuts in close, before he sees a takedown attempt stuffed.

Dawodu tries for a head kick, but Erosa just about blocks it before taunting his opponent.

Erosa then stuns Dawodu with a right hand, then lands a flying knee as the Canadian backs up to the fence!

The buzzer comes at just the right time for Dawodu!

UFC 279 LIVE

02:46 , Alex Pattle

Dawodu vs Erosa – Round 1

Jumping switch front kick to the body by Dawodu. Erosa kicks low, then Dawodu responds in kind.

Again Dawodu lunges into a body kick, but this time he misses. Erosa then catches a body kick attempt and forces Dawodu back to the fence, but the Canadian escapes.

Good head movement from Dawodu in close, but Erosa clinches him and gets some uppercuts through, then lands more punches off the break and drops Dawodu!

UFC 279 LIVE

02:42 , Alex Pattle

Final prelim bout of the evening, we’re under way.

UFC 279 LIVE

02:42 , Alex Pattle

Dawodu came in at 149.5lbs, missing the featherweight limit by 3.5lbs, meaning a percentage of his purse will go to Erosa.

UFC 279 LIVE

02:38 , Alex Pattle

Erosa is out first, followed by Dawodu.

UFC 279 LIVE

02:30 , Alex Pattle

The final prelim bout is up next, as Hakeem Dawodu takes on Julian Erosa at featherweight.

UFC 279 LIVE

02:29 , Alex Pattle

UFC 279 LIVE

02:21 , Alex Pattle

Jailton Almeida def. Anton Turkalj via first-round submission (rear naked choke, 4:27).

UFC 279 LIVE

02:19 , Alex Pattle

Almeida vs Turkalj – Round 1

Almeida flattens out Turkalj and briefly looks to have a rear naked choke, but he transitions to an arm-triangle attempt again...

Now back to a rear naked choke, and it’s in tight! Turkalj soon taps!

UFC 279 LIVE

02:18 , Alex Pattle

Almeida vs Turkalj – Round 1

Almeida immediately shoots for a takedown against the cage and gets Turkalj to the mat.

Turkalj does well to stand but is lifted and slammed to the canvas at once.

Almeida looks like he’s trying to set up an arm-triangle choke...

UFC 279 LIVE

02:14 , Alex Pattle

Almeida vs Turkalj at 220lbs, here we go!

UFC 279 LIVE

02:04 , Alex Pattle

UFC 279 LIVE

02:00 , Alex Pattle

Next, Jailton Almeida faces Anton Turkalj in a catchweight bout.

UFC 279 LIVE

01:57 , Alex Pattle

Denis Tiuliulin def. Jamie Pickett via second-round TKO (knee, ground strikes; 4:52).

UFC 279 LIVE

01:56 , Alex Pattle

Tiuliulin vs Pickett – Round 2

That was accidental from Tiuliulin, and his first ‘low blow’ didn’t even appear to land low, but he’s been docked a point!

He’s angry and goes right after Pickett, dropping him with a hard elbow! Tiuliulin isn’t quite able to mount any effective offensive on the canvas, though, and Pickett stands.

Now Tiuliulin drops Pickett with a knee against the fence and launches a series of punches as Pickett shells up! The fight is stopped; Tiuliulin gets the TKO win!

UFC 279 LIVE

01:52 , Alex Pattle

Tiuliulin vs Pickett – Round 2

More forward pressure from Tiuliulin. Pickett bursts forward and feints some takedown attempts.

Big elbows land for Tiuliulin in close! His face is marked up from some punches, however.

Again Pickett claims there was a low blow... and this time he’s right. A knee caught him right in the cup!

UFC 279 LIVE

01:46 , Alex Pattle

Tiuliulin vs Pickett – Round 1

Tiuliulin is starting to land more right hands, then he throws a body kick that causes Pickett to hit the deck, claiming it was a low blow.

To be honest, it seemed to land above the belt line...

UFC 279 LIVE

01:45 , Alex Pattle

Tiuliulin vs Pickett – Round 1

Pickett opens up in a southpaw stance. Tiuliulin comes forward, looking for right straights, but he’s caught with a short left.

A Pickett front kick comes up narrowly short. Lots of circling to the left from Pickett now, before he shoots for a double-leg takedown.

He drives Tiuliulin back to the fence, where Tiuliulin sprawls well to stuff the takedown. The middleweights are back in the open now, and Pickett is being backed up.

A right hand gets through and catches Pickett’s attention!

UFC 279 LIVE

01:40 , Alex Pattle

Denis Tiuliulin vs Jamie Pickett, let’s go!

UFC 279 LIVE

01:29 , Alex Pattle

Next up is Denis Tiuliulin vs Jamie Pickett at middleweight.

UFC 279 LIVE

01:27 , Alex Pattle

“I’m a turtle shell; you let me get your back, I’m staying there,” Barnett says of the finish.

“I heard y’all cheering me, I felt it, and I love y’all for it,” he tells the T-Mobile Arena crowd. “I’m nothing without y’all.”

UFC 279 LIVE

01:24 , Alex Pattle

Chris Barnett def. Jake Collier via second-round TKO (ground strikes, 2:24).

UFC 279 LIVE

01:22 , Alex Pattle

Collier vs Barnett – Round 2

Barnett with a clean one-two! Good start to the round for him. Now he puts his head down again and just swings wild straight punches. “Barnett” is the chant in Las Vegas!

Collier tries for a trip, but Barnett sprawls, scrambles behind his opponent and lands heavy punches! Collier appears to be hurt, and Barnett gets to mount and rains down more shots!!

Eventually the referee stops it! Barnett gets the comeback win!

UFC 279 LIVE

01:19 , Alex Pattle

The ringside doctor comes in to evaluate Barnett, and tells the heavyweight that he’s okay to continue for now.

Barnett’s mouth is askew, though, and his left eye is swollen shut!

UFC 279 LIVE

01:19 , Alex Pattle

It looks like it was a short right straight that dropped Barnett.

UFC 279 LIVE

01:17 , Alex Pattle

Collier vs Barnett – Round 1

Collier with a front kick to the body; Barnett with an outside low kick. Now Collier blocks a spinning back kick to the body, before clinching Barnett and tripping him neatly.

Collier flattens out Barnett and immediately takes the back! He throws some punches and hammer fists, and Barnett is warned by the referee to move!

He gives up his neck, however, but the rear naked choke is only over his chin! Barnett is able to twist and stand, but his jaw looks off... Could it be broken?

He makes it to the buzzer in any case!

UFC 279 LIVE

01:15 , Alex Pattle

Collier vs Barnett – Round 1

An early knockdown for Collier! He pours on punches now with Barnett backed up against the fence.

Barnett comes back with his head down, swinging for the fences, but Collier is able to evade most of the strikes!

Barnett has also been cut above his left eye after a couple of nasty elbows. The blood is leaking into the eye.

Barnett tries to get back to basics, throwing some low kicks, and Collier is already slowing down after that early onslaught.

UFC 279 LIVE

01:12 , Alex Pattle

Here we go!

UFC 279 LIVE

01:12 , Alex Pattle

UFC 279 LIVE

01:09 , Alex Pattle

The regular prelim card begins with Jake Collier vs Chris Barnett at heavyweight!

Barnett actually came in at 267.5lbs on Friday, over the heavyweight limit.

UFC 279 LIVE

01:08 , Alex Pattle

Welcome to our round-by-round live coverage of the UFC 279 prelims!

First up, here are the early prelim results:

Norma Dumont def. Danyelle Wolf via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Alatengheili def. Chad Anheliger via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Elise Reed def. Melissa Martinez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28 29-28)

Yohan Lainesse def. Darian Weeks via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

UFC 279 LIVE

Sunday 11 September 2022 00:50 , Alex Pattle

We’re just 10 minutes away from the UFC 279 prelims!

We’ll have all the early prelim results for you very shortly, before we begin our round-by-round coverage of the remaining prelims and then the main card – so, sit tight!

UFC 279 LIVE

Sunday 11 September 2022 00:32 , Alex Pattle

Here is a look back at the moment Chimaev missed weight, before the UFC 279 card was (rejigged and) saved:

Khamzat Chimaev misses weight for Nate Diaz fight at UFC 279 then jokes on Twitter

UFC 279 LIVE

Sunday 11 September 2022 00:15 , Alex Pattle

Want to know how to watch tonight’s fights?

UFC 279 will air live on BT Sport in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the bouts.

In the US, ESPN+ will stream the action live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass.

More information here:

How to watch Nate Diaz and Chimaev fights at UFC 279 tonight

UFC 279 LIVE

Saturday 10 September 2022 23:55 , Alex Pattle

Here is a look at the odds for tonight’s final three fights, all of which feature the six men who were originally supposed to be involved – just not against the opponents that they are now facing!

Diaz – 1/1; Ferguson – 4/5

Chimaev – 1/5; Holland – 7/2

Li – 6/5; Rodriguez – 4/6

Via Betway.

Full UFC 279 card featuring Nate Diaz and Chimaev tonight

UFC 279 LIVE

Saturday 10 September 2022 23:40 , Alex Pattle

The UFC 279 early prelims are under way as we speak!

We’ll be providing a round-up of those results a little later on, before we cover the remaining prelim bouts and the main card in depth with round-by-round updates.

UFC 279 LIVE

Saturday 10 September 2022 23:25 , Alex Pattle

While there has naturally been a lot of negativity towards Chimaev this week, here’s a recap of his last fight – a barnburner against Gilbert Burns in April:

Khamzat Chimaev edges brutal clash with Gilbert Burns at UFC 273

UFC 279 LIVE

Saturday 10 September 2022 23:09 , Alex Pattle

Following a series of late changes, here is the final card for UFC 279:

Main card

Nate Diaz vs Tony Ferguson (welterweight)

Khamzat Chimaev vs Kevin Holland (catchweight)

Li Jingliang vs Daniel Rodriguez (catchweight)

Irene Aldana vs Macy Chiasson (catchweight)

Johnny Walker vs Ion Cutelaba (light heavyweight)

Prelims

Hakeem Dawodu vs Julian Erosa (featherweight)

Jailton Almeida vs Anton Turkalj (catchweight)

Denis Tiuliulin vs Jamie Pickett (middleweight)

Jake Collier vs Chris Barnett (heavyweight)

Early prelims

Norma Dumont vs Danyelle Wolf (women’s featherweight)

Chad Anheliger vs Alatengheili (bantamweight)

Melissa Martinez vs Elise Reed (women’s strawweight)

Darian Weeks vs Yohan Yailesse (welterweight)

UFC 279 LIVE

Saturday 10 September 2022 22:59 , Alex Pattle

Nate Diaz and Tony Ferguson will meet in the main event of UFC 279 tonight, after Khamzat Chimaev’s failed weight-cut caused a major shake-up to the card at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

Icon Diaz, entering the final fight of his UFC contract, was set to face the fastest-rising star in the company in Chimaev, but the Russian-born Swede capped off a week to forget by missing weight. The unbeaten Chimaev, 28, had already confronted middleweight Paulo Costa at the UFC Performance Institute on Monday and caused a series of backstage incidents on Thursday by kicking Kevin Holland, the latter moment seeing the pre-fight press conference abandoned.

Now, fan favourite Ferguson will fight fellow veteran Diaz in a five-round, welterweight main event, while Chimaev takes on Holland in a catchweight bout. Meanwhile, Ferguson and Holland’s original opponents – Li Jingliang and Daniel Rodriguez – also meet in a catchweight contest. Fans have long wished to see Americans Diaz, 37, and Ferguson, 38, go head to head, and they will finally get their chance this evening before Diaz rides off into the sunset. Meanwhile, Chimaev’s remarkable rise up the welterweight rankings has hit its first real roadblock, with his future in the division now at least somewhat unclear.