Khamzat Chimaev vs. Nate Diaz set to headline UFC 279 on September 10. in Las Vegas

A welterweight matchup between undefeated division contender, Khamzat Chimaev, and veteran, one-time lightweight title challenger, Nate Diaz, is set to headline UFC 279 on September 10. – from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Chimaev, who last featured at UFC 273 earlier this year, defeated one-time welterweight title challenger, Gilbert Burns in a hard-fought unanimous decision win in Jacksonville, Florida. 

As for Diaz, the Stockton native will make his final contracted Octagon appearance on his current UFC deal with his September return against Chimaev, having yet to feature since a unanimous decision loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 263 in June last year. ESPN MMA reporter, Brett Okamoto was first to report the news of Chimaev’s headliner with Diaz.

“Khamzat (Chimaev) vs. Nate (Diaz). UFC 279 on Sept. 10 at T-Mobile Arena. Main event.” Brett Okamoto tweeted. “Five rounds. Verbally agreed, per UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell. It is the final fight on Nate Diaz’s current UFC contract.” 

Chimaev, the current #3 ranked welterweight contender, added Burns to a prior series of Octagon victories over Li Jingliang, Gerald Meerschaert, Rhys McKee, and John Philips during his two-year Octagon tenure.

For Diaz, the former lightweight title challenger is without a victory since UFC 241 back in August of 2019, defeating former UFC and WEC lightweight champion, Anthony Pettis.

Before his defeat to Edwards, Diaz dropped a symbolic BMF championship fight against Jorge Masvidal via doctor’s stoppage.

Ross Markey

Senior writer for FightBook MMA. An aspiring mixed martial arts reporter based in Ireland. Producer of news articles, interviews, opinion features, and exclusive features such as, ‘The Fallout’, ‘The Breakdown, and, ‘This Week In MMA’.