In a surprising turn of events, UFC 279 headliner Khamzat Chimaev weighed in at 178 pounds for his welterweight bout against Nate Diaz. The bout between Chimaev and Nate Diaz may be in jeopardy, and fighters were quick to suggest alternatives for a main event. There have been suggestions that Diaz could fight current co-headliner Tony Ferguson, who is scheduled to fight Li Jingliang.
The event caused turmoil on MMA Twitter, with dozens of professional fighters criticizing the rising prospect’s behavior.
Khamzat Chimaev vs. Nate Diaz
Tony Ferguson vs. Li Jingliang
Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez
Irene Aldana vs. Macy Chiasson
Johnny Walker vs. Ion Cutelaba
Preliminary Card (ESPNNEWS/ESPN+)
Hakeem Dawodu vs. Julian Erosa
Jamie Pickett vs. Denis Tiuliulin
Jake Collier vs. Chris Barnett
Norma Dumont vs. Danyelle Wolf
Fight Pass Card (ESPN/ESPN+/Fight Pass)
Alateng Heili vs. Chad Anheilger
Elise Reed vs. Melissa Martinez
Darian weeks vs. Yohan Lainesse
LIVE! Watch UFC 283 PPV On ESPN+ Here!
UFC’s 2023 PPV DEBUT! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) kicks off its New Year pay-per-view (PPV) campaign on Sat., Jan. 21, 2023, with a battle for the vacant Light Heavyweight crown between former champion and No. 2-ranked contender, Glover Teixeira, looking to stop the momentum of surging No. 7-seeded up-and-comer, Jamahal Hill. In the co-main event of UFC 283, which will take place inside Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, one of the greatest rivalries in promotional history resumes as Flyweight kingpin, Deiveson Figueiredo, battles interim belt keeper, Brandon Moreno, for a fourth (and likely final) time.