Ferguson came out of the opening moments with an onslaught of heavy leg kicks. One of the first kicks he threw in the fight brought his shin into contact with Diaz’s, instantly opening a cut on Ferguson’s shin that would continue to bleed for the rest of the fight. These kicks continued to land throughout the fight, causing Diaz’s lead leg to bruise and swell. Despite the heavy damage, Diaz continued to try to stalk Ferguson and throw combinations and hard left hands when he was able to close distance or bring Ferguson back to the cage. Even when Diaz was having success, Ferguson continued to land hard leg kicks. Eventually, Diaz seemed frustrated by the oncoming damage and began pacing around the outside of the cage, shaking his head as the referee called for the fight once more. Diaz would do so, letting his hands go more and tagging Ferguson with combinations. In the fourth round, Ferguson looked for a takedown, a move his corner had called for in the previous two rounds. That decision proved to be Ferguson’s undoing, as Diaz quickly locked in a guillotine choke and tightened up until Ferguson was forced to tap out at the 2:52 mark of the round. Can’t get enough boxing and MMA? Get the latest in the world of combat sports from two of the best in the business. Join Morning Kombat with Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell for the best analysis and in-depth news, including live analysis of UFC 279 at the end of the PPV. “Full wrestling camp,” Diaz said after the fight, explaining his readiness to defend takedown attempts. “I didn’t box. Well, we made it.” Diaz, who confirmed he would be looking to find opportunities outside the Octagon with his contract now up, then addressed Khamzat Chimaev, the man he is supposed to face in the main event. Chimaev missed a lot of weight on Friday, forcing the UFC to shuffle three fights into three new fights. “I was like, he’s such a dogged rookie,” Diaz said. “I’m not even worried about a rook-stepped.” The loss was Ferguson’s fifth in a row and the third time he has finished in that stretch. The losing skid is a stark contrast from the 12-fight winning streak that preceded it, which saw Ferguson become the interim lightweight champion while establishing himself as one of the top 155-pound fighters in the sport. Originally set to face Li Jingliang in a three-round bout, which was Ferguson’s welterweight debut, he accepted the switch in Friday’s five-round main event. Diaz snapped his own two-fight skid and said he is now ready to take on another sport, possibly hinting at a desire to meet social media star Jake Paul in the boxing ring after Paul fights UFC legend Anderson Silva , in October. “All I know is it’s been a love-hate relationship with the UFC for as long as I’ve been with this f—ing company,” Diaz said. “But I love the UFC… I want to get out of the UFC for a minute and show all these UFC fighters how to take over and own another sport. How you’re supposed to do it. Conor McGregor doesn’t he did it he knows how to do it. None of these other fighters know how to do it. I’m going to go out there, take on another profession and be the best at it. Show everybody that I’m the best at it and then I’m going to come back to get my mother a title in the UFC.” Elsewhere on the card, Diaz’s original opponent Khamzat Chimaev reminded of his impending dominance by submitting Kevin Holland in the first round. Chimaev, who missed 7.5 pounds on Friday and prompted the entire card to be revamped, was unapologetic in his post-fight interview and still intends to fight for the welterweight title next. CBS Sports was with you all the way Saturday, bringing you all the results and highlights from UFC 279 below.
UFC 279 card and results
Nate Diaz org. Tony Ferguson via fourth-round submission (guillotine choke) Khamzat Chimaev def. Kevin Holland via first round submission (D’Arce choke) Def. Daniel Rodriguez. Li Jingliang by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Irini Aldana or. Macy Chiasson via third-round TKO (upkick) Johnny Walker def. Ion Cutelaba via first-round submission (back-naked choke) Julian Erosa def. Hakeem Dawodu by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Jailton Almeida def. Anton Turkalj via first-round submission (back-naked choke) Denis Tiuliulin def. Jamie Pickett via second round TKO (punches) Chris Barnett op. Jake Collier via second round TKO (punches) Norma Dumont def. Danyelle Wolf by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26) Alatengheili def. Chad Anheliger by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Elise Reed or. Melissa Martinez by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Yohan Lainesse def. Darian Weeks via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
