Dana White provides updates on massive reshuffling of UFC 279 Card with Nate Diaz and Tony Ferguson headlining
The top 3 fights on the card for UFC 279 have all be reshuffled
Dana White appeared on Sports Center a short while ago to provide us with the latest updates after the fight between Nate Diaz and Khamzat Chimaev fell apart due to the Chechen missing weight. However, all has seemed to fall in place as the updated card has been to the liking of most and what people originally expected from the event.
After a cursed fight week that saw multiple scuffles break out, a press conference get canceled for the first time in the company’s history and the main event put in jeopardy, Dana’s latest interview comes as a massive relief to all fight fans who had held their breath for the past few hours. It also has given a fitting ending to the UFC legacy of Nate Diaz
During the interview, Dana revealed that Chimaev had started “Locking up and feeling cramped” since yesterday and hence the UFC was already at work in reshuffling the card before the sun rose. It was the UFC doctor who advised Chimaev not to cut any weight further as it may lead to a serious health condition,
Nate Diaz, Tony Ferguson is the new main event for UFC 279 Per Dana White, Khamzat Chimaev, and Kevin Holland to face off in a 5-Round co-main
The primary news that everyone was anticipating was the fight between Nate Diaz and Tony Ferguson getting booked, This had been a long-standing fan-fantasy fight that never ended up happening due to one reason or the other. Both brawlers will face off in the main event in a five-round fight. Earlier rumors of Ferguson being uncomfortable with a 5 rounder at short notice were all quashed.
The second big fight has been Chimaev and Holland being booked for the co-main event. Holland was supposed to fight D-Rod in a three-round bout at a catchweight of 180 lbs. However prior tensions with Chimaev with a bout booked between them in 2020, and the latest scuffle at the press conference makes this a fight that ironically makes the most sense as noted by White
Finally, Daniel Rodriguez will now face off against Li Jingliang who made weight at 170 lbs earlier today. It was reported by Ariel Helwani that the hold-up was primarily on Li’s part as he was hesitant about taking a fight against an opponent, 10 pounds heavier with financial issues also being touted. However, despite a massive drop in the star power of his opposition and the inversely proportional danger they posses at the respective stages of their career, Li has accepted a three-round fight.
What are your thoughts on the reshuffling of the event? Let us know below!
Jerin Mathew
(713 Articles Published)