It doesn’t matter that Nate Diaz has neverever been a UFC champ or that he has 13 losses on his record.
If one fighter might ever be completely embody the courageous, defiant, bloodthirsty spirit of the sport, it is the Stockton, California product who has neverever fluctuated in keeping his genuine — and charming — personality.
So, the truth that his UFC agreement closes Saturday night in a intimidating UFC 279 primary occasion versus unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev (11-0) appears an unsuitable exit for the 37-year-old.
A smashing striker with deadly grappling ability, Chimaev informed “TheMacLife” last month, “I can smash this person (Diaz), simple.”
On Wednesday, Diaz, Chimaev and other UFC 279 individuals were apparently included in an occurrence backstage, which interrupted the scheduled pre-fight press conference.
“The Diaz camp revealed up with 57 individuals. Khamzat’s group had 30-something individuals. Then you had several people going on back here. It was insane,” UFC president Dana White stated. “It was definitely nuts back here. … You puton’t have to be a rocket researcher to figure out where this entire press conference was headed.”
White stated the event will not threaten the battles at this time, however he did reference included security for Thursday’s ceremonial weigh-ins and face-offs.
Khamzat Chimaev (-1200) vs. Nate Diaz (+650) — welterweights
Third-ranked welterweight fighter Nate Diaz has more than sheer capability going for him. His obvious distaste and disinterest in the match versus Chimaev — which he views as an chance for the UFC to prop up the name worth of a talented future champ — might suggest a grisly result, according to MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn.
“I think it’s going to be a trampling,” Bohn stated. “Nate is talking like he doesn’t desire to be here. ‘Go ahead and beat me.’ And it appears like he desires this to be over and on his method out.”
The oddsmakers anticipate the verysame, with Tipico Sportsbook setting Chimaev as a -1200 preferred and Diaz as the +650 underdog.
In an ESPN interview this week, Diaz explained the UFC as a “machine” intent to determine the next “best” fighter.
“What they’ve got me doing right now is they’re acting like I called for this battle, which I didn’t … and still wear’t desire. Pressure’s on him duetothefactthat he’s the next killer in town. They’re stating he’s the finest in town. If I whip his (rear), they’re going to state, ‘Oh, he wasn’t the finest in town … .’ This battle’s not about this person. It’s about making this person. … (Expletive) them. (Expletive) everyone.”
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Diaz, who assoonas puffed smoke from a vape pen following the 2nd of his 2 battles versus Conor McGregor, would’ve been muchbetter feted versus a competitor who develops a more competitive and equally devastating affair.
Bohn acutely recommended the likes of co-main-event fighter Tony Ferguson, Dustin Poirier or Jorge Masvidal.
With Diaz headed out the door, a trilogy date with McGregor might have poetically sentout both legends to retirement.
Their veryfirst bout, when McGregor concurred to relocation up in weight to take on the last-minute replacement Diaz in UFC 196, was a timeless.
One of MMA’s finest strikers, Diaz, shrugged off a hellacious cut at the right eye and landed heavy hands on the charming Irishman, then discovered McGregor on the ground to send him by chokehold.
The rematch, 6 years ago, might’ve been the finest battle in UFC history. McGregor emerged with a triumph by choice.
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“Conor just has 2 battles left on his agreement, so perhaps they can do (the trilogy) outdoors the UFC under their own promos without having to pay the UFC its 80%,” Bohn stated.
Imagine it: Diaz delivers the double middle fingers to his opponent at the begin, takesin and provides heavy penalty, puts out some last ounces of blood onto the c