Fan favorite Nate Diaz may step into the Octagon for the last time this weekend as he faces Kamsad Sime in the main event of UFC 279.
The welterweight bout is the last fight of Diaz’s current deal with the UFC, which has been accused of ‘feeding’ the American “O Lobo” given Simaev’s impressive run in the sport so far.
Simev, 28, 11-0 as a professional MMA fighter, has won his first 10 fights by stoppage — all in the first or second round. The Russian-born Swede bested former title challenger Gilbert Burns in his most recent bout, notably absorbing one significant blow in his first four fights in the UFC.
Meanwhile, 37-year-old Diaz last competed in June 2021, losing to UFC welterweight titleholder Leon Edwards last month.
In Saturday’s co-main event, former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson moves up to welterweight as he looks for a four-fight losing streak. Here’s everything you need to know about UFC 279.
When is that?
UFC 279 takes place on Saturday, September 10 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The preliminaries begin on Sunday, September 11 (5pm PT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET) with the preliminaries starting at 1am BST (3pm PT, 5pm CT, 6pm ET).
The main card takes place at 3am BST (7pm PT, 9pm CT, 10pm ET on Saturday).
How can I see?
The card will be broadcast live on BT Sport in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website streaming the fights.
In the US, ESPN+ will broadcast the action live, as will UFC Fight Pass.
opportunities
Nate Diaz’s clash with Khamzat Chimaev will be the American’s last fight in the UFC
(Getty Images)
Diaz – 06/01
Simev – 1/10
Full card
Key card
Nate Diaz vs. Kamchat Simev (Welterweight)
Tony Ferguson vs. Li Jingliang (Welterweight)
Kevin Holland vs Daniel Rodriguez (Heavyweight, 180 lbs)
Irene Aldana vs Macy Chiasson (Women’s Bantamweight)
Johnnie Walker vs Ian Gutelaba (Light Heavyweight)
Initial
Hakeem Dao vs. Julian Erosa (Featherweight)
Shamil Abdurakimov vs Zeilton Almeida (Heavyweight)
Denis Dullien vs Jamie Pickett (Middleweight)
Jake Collier vs Chris Barnett (Heavyweight)
Early previews
Norma Dumont vs Danielle Wolff (Women’s Featherweight)
Chad Anheliger vs Alatengeili (bantamweight)
Melissa Martinez vs Elise Reed (Women’s Strawweight)
Darian Weeks vs Yohan Yelesse (Welterweight)
