The UFC is finalizing a welterweight bout between Khamzat Chimaev and Nate Diaz. It will become the main attraction of UFC 279 on Sept. 10, UFC Hunter Campbell told ESPN on Tuesday.
According to Campbell, the contracts were not signed. But the two fighters verbally agreed to the fight and the date. UFC 279 will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Zach Rosenfield, Diaz’s representative, confirmed the date and opponent of Diaz’s next fight.
“This is a fight that Nate has been asking for since mid-April,” Rosenfield said.
According to sources, Diaz’s camp (20-13) and the UFC were involved in discussions about a new contract. He still has the right to do with his current contract.
One of the most popular fighters, Diaz, hasn’t fought since he decided to defeat current title contender Leon Edwards in June 2021.
Chimaev (11-0) just won a decisive victory against Gilbert Burns at UFC 273 in April. Chimaev, was born in Chechnya and is now settled in Stockholm. He is one of the fastest contenders for the title in UFC history. He has a 5-0 record since signing in 2020.
“I will handle Nate Diaz’s funeral with the UFC,” Chimaev said in a statement he provided in Swedish to his representatives.
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