UFC 279 event was headlined by a welterweight matchup between fan favorites Nate Diaz and Tony Ferguson.
Diaz (21-13 MMA) was originally slated to face Khamzat Chimaev (11-0 MMA) in tonight’s event headliner. However, after ‘Borz’ badly missed the welterweight limit of 171lbs, the promotion decided to switch things up and have ‘The Stockton Slugger’ take on ‘El Cucuy’ instead.
Nate Diaz entered the final fight of his existing UFC contract looking to snap a two-fight losing skid. The Stockton native had most recently competed in June of last year, where he suffered a unanimous decision loss to reigning welterweight champion Leon Edwards.
Meanwhile, Tony Ferguson (25-8 MMA) had entered UFC 279 looking to halt a four-fight losing skid. ‘El Cucuy’ had suffered brutal knockout loss to Michael Chandler in his most previous Octagon appearance this past May.
Nate Diaz emerged victorious in his main event fight against Tony Ferguson at UFC 279. The Stockton native submitted ‘El Cucuy’ via a D’Arce choke in the fourth round to secure the victory. Diaz received the ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus for his efforts and took home an additional cheque of $50,000.
Official UFC 279 Result: Nate Diaz def. Tony Ferguson via submission (guillotine choke) in Round 4
Check out the reaction of professional fighters after Nate Diaz taps out Tony Ferguson at UFC 279:
Post-fight Reaction of professional fighters after Nate Diaz taps out Tony Ferguson at UFC 279
Meanwhile, YouTube star-turned-professional boxer Jake Paul hinted at what could be next for Diaz. ‘The Problem Child’ posted a series of tweets to tease a matchup between himself and the UFC superstar.
What’s next for Nate Diaz?
Nate Diaz confirmed that he’s leaving the UFC during his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan.
He made it clear, however, that doesn’t intend to leave the combat sports just yet. In what could be his final dialogue inside the octagon, Diaz revealed what’s next for his career:
“I wanna get out of the UFC for a minute and show all these UFC fighters how to take over and own up another sport how you’re supposed to do it. Because Conor McGregor didn’t know how to do it. None of these other fighters know how to do it. So I’m gonna go out there and I’m gonna take over another profession and become the best at that… and then I’m gonna be f***ing right back here to get the f***ing UFC title.”
Watch Nate Diaz’s interview below: