The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Nevada hosts UFC 279. After one of the wildest fight weeks in the promotions history fight night is finally here although the card may look a bit different depending how close you paid attention over the last 72-hours.
The nights new five-round main event has TUF 5 winner Nate Diaz against TUF 14 winner Tony Ferguson. Both fighters are beloved fan favorites who have lengthy resumes but some how have never crossed paths till now. While the fight has come together under the wildest of circumstances it’s a safe bet that both will leave it all in the octagon. Diaz is on his last fight of his UFC contract meaning a win could lead to even more leverage in contract negotiations. Ferguson has lost four in a row but jumping into the main event without a second thought is just the kind of move that’s made “El Cucuy” a force to be reckoned with.
In the five-round co-main event unbeaten number three ranked welterweight Khamzat Chimaev faces Kevin “The Trailblazer” Holland. Chimaev missed weight by 7.5 lbs. forcing the changes to the main card. That said he’s 5-0 in the UFC with three wins at welterweight & two at middleweight. A combination of power wrestling, power punching, and a splash of crazy. Holland is 2-0 since dropping to welterweight with both dubs coming from second round finishes.
The nights featured fight will see number 14 ranked Li “The Leech” Jingliang against Daniel “D-Rod” Rodriguez. Jingliang is a heavy hitter with his last four wins by knockout. Rodriguez is 6-1 in the UFC with two knockouts and a submission.
Main Card.
- Welterweight: Nate Diaz (21-13) def. Tony Ferguson (25-8) by submission (guillotine choke) 2:52 R4
- 180 lb. Catchweight: Khamzat Chimaev (12-0) def. Kevin Holland (23-8) by submission (D’Arce choke) 2:13 R1
- 180 lb. Catchweight: Daniel Rodriguez (17-2) def. Li Jingliang (19-8) by (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) split decision
- Women’s 140 lb. Catchweight: Irene Aldana (14-6) def. Macy Chiasson (8-3) by TKO (up kick to liver) 2:21 R3
- Light-Heavyweight: Johnny Walker (19-7) def. Ion Cutelaba (16-8-1) by submission (rear naked choke) 4:37 R1
Prelims
- Featherweight: Julian Erosa (28-9) def. Hakeem Dawodu (13-3-1) by (30-27 x3) unanimous decision
- Heavyweight: Jailton Almeida (17-2) def. Anton Turkalj (8-1) by submission (rear naked choke) 4:27 R1
- Middleweight: Denis Tiuliulin (11-6) def. Jamie Pickett (13-8) by TKO (ground strikes) 4:52 R2
- Heavyweight: Chris Barnett (23-8) def. Jake Collier (13-8) by TKO (ground strikes) 2:24 R2
Early Prelims
- Featherweight: Norma Dumont (8-2) def. Danyelle Wolf (1-1) by (30-26, 30-27 x2) unanimous decision
- Bantamweight: Heili Alateng (16-8-2) def. Chad Anheliger (12-6) by (30-27 x3) unanimous decision
- Women’s Strawweight: Elise Reed (6-2) def. Melissa Martinez (7-1) by (29-28 x3) unanimous decision
- Welterweight: Yohan Lainesse (9-1) def. Darian Weeks (5-3) by (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) split decision
