September 9, 2022 6: 25 pm ET
UFC 279 looks totally different than it did 48 hours ago.
In MMA, seasoned followers have learned to expect the unexpected. Yet still, surprises come, as was the case Friday during weigh-ins when Khamzat Chimaez showed up nearly eight pounds over the welterweight limit.
The weigh-in issue resulted in a shuffle of matchups, including a new main event of Nate Diaz vs. Tony Ferguson – five rounds. The co-main event is now a grudge match between Chimaev and Kevin Holland – five rounds. Additionally, a bout between Li Jingliang and Daniel Rodriguez at a 180-pound contract weight serves as the featured bout.
Dana White announced the news on Instagram Live one hour before ceremonial faceoffs.
UFC 279 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile with the main card on ESPN+ pay-per-view after prelims on ESPNNews and ESPN+.
Scroll below to see what the MMA community had to say about the unusual UFC 279 main card opponent shuffle.
Luke Thomas
Are they waiting for tennis to be over before making this #UFC279 announcement?
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) September 9, 2022
Mike Bohn
Dana White announces on SportsCenter for #UFC279
Nate Diaz vs. Tony Ferguson
Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kevin Holland
Li Jingliang vs. Daniel Rodriguez— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) September 9, 2022
Nolan King
Both Nate Diaz vs. Tony Ferguson and Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kevin Holland will be five rounds, per Dana White. #UFC279
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) September 9, 2022
Dana White’s announcement
Belal Muhammad
Let’s gooo we got a fight card!! Big respect to all the fighters willing to shuffle up the opponents…. fighters fight!!!
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) September 9, 2022
Jon Anik
Per Dana White on Sportscenter, it is UFC 279: Diaz v. Ferguson. 🙂 #UFC279
— Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) September 9, 2022
Cody Brundage
Maybe khazmat is just a big advocate for fighter pay because he got everyone a raise 😂 😂
— Cody Brundage (@CodyBrundage185) September 9, 2022
Marcelo Rojo
Buenísimo como la arreglaron 💯 voy con nate , d rod, y espero que Kevin holland le hablé y se le meta en la cabeza a khamZat por 5 rounds
— Pitbull 🇦🇷 Rojo (@pitbull_rojo) September 9, 2022
Joe Solecki
This is poetic justice…. I think I’m using that right? Good for Diaz and good for Ferguson and in my opinion, significantly more intriguing than the original main event. https://t.co/ws6hNGaqGX
— Joe Solecki (@JoeSolecki) September 9, 2022
Derek Brunson
Nate Diaz vs T Ferg & Chimaev vs. Holland . Both 5 rounders . This got weirdly good , real fast ! 🔥🔥🔥 #UFC279
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) September 9, 2022
Megan Olivi
What a day it has been .. #UFC279
Nate Diaz v Tony Ferguson
Khamzat Chimaev v Kevin Holland
Li Jingliang v Daniel Rodriguez
.. lookin forward to these faceoffs!— Megan Olivi (@MeganOlivi) September 9, 2022
Li Jingliang
Still awaiting word on Li Jingliang’s blue custom suit and how it factors in. #UFC279
— Brendan Fitzgerald (@BrendanFitzTV) September 9, 2022
Brett Okamoto
Per Nate Diaz’s reps, still the final fight of his deal. Five round main against Tony Ferguson.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) September 9, 2022
Kai Kamaka III
Like anything, Mma can be so double standard. There can be a miss weight and not much will happen from it, maybe there is, but you also can miss weight being a big name and things can still workout 🥶. Hard to find the words for the tweet, hope it makes sense
— Kai Kamaka III (@kaiboikamaka) September 9, 2022
Darren Till
Nate gets the fight he deserves…
Khamzat gets to smesh Holland…
& Li & D.Rod will actually be a sick fight, plus Li fighting a guy 10 pounds heavier than him.
What a G!!— D (@darrentill2) September 9, 2022
Kevin Iole
For those asking, Khamzat wasn’t fined for missing weight. He’s in a new bout at a catchweight and he made that weight. So fines for Dawodu and Barnett because they missed weight and are fighting same opponent. Khamzat is fighting a 180-pound catchweight, so no fine. #UFC279
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) September 9, 2022
Ben Fowlkes
Fight sports are, quite frankly, insane. Even more so when we go through all this bullshit about matchmaking and bout agreements and promo and then the day before the fight it’s like, eh but what if we just put all of you in a jar and shake it up? We must love chaos or something.
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) September 9, 2022