In the main event of UFC 279, we saw a welterweight battle between two of the OG’s in the fight game. Nate Diaz (20-13) got a fight that he’s wanted for a long time when he took on former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson (25-7).
This week leading up to UFC 279 has been absolutely insane. First, there were backstage brawls which forced the pre-fight press conference to be cancelled. Then, Khamzat Chimaev came in nearly eight pounds overweight for his main event against Nate Diaz.
Ultimately, the UFC came to Tony Ferguson and asked if he would be willing to step in the main event spot against Diaz. El Cucuy was originally supposed to face Li Jingliang in the co-main event. Being the man he is, Ferguson accepted. Diaz wanted a fight with Ferguson all along and now he gets that chance.
UFC 279 Recap
Round 1
The UFC 279 headliner kicked off with a touch of the gloves. Diaz opens with immediate pressure and looks to land his jab. Ferguson lands a spinning back elbow to kick off his striking. El Cucuy grabs a leg and gets Diaz down but immediately backs up and lets Diaz up.
Ferguson plotting forward here and throws a kick. Diaz checks the kick and it opens up a big gash on the leg of Tony Ferguson. Ferguson doesn’t appeared to be too bothered by it. Both men feeling the other out here in the first round. Neither man landing big in the opening frame.
Ferguson overthrows and tries to land an elbow but nothing home. Diaz gauging the range here with two minutes left. Huge 1-2 from Diaz and Diaz points at Ferguson. Ferguson touches his glove to acknowledge the shot. Right hand counter for Diaz off the Ferguson entrance.
Ferguson tries to land an elbow but eats a huge right counter from Diaz. Ferguson throws a big combination to answer. Nice low kick lands for El Cucuy. Diaz coming forward and Ferguson tries to land a spinning back fist. Nice combo from Diaz as the bell sounds. 1-0 Diaz at UFC 279.
Round 2
Entering the second at UFC 279 and I’m expecting both men to pick things up here. Diaz pushes forward to start the second and Ferguson is feinting like he’s going to look for a takedown. Nice low kick lands for Diaz. Front kick to the body for Diaz.
Nice 1-2 for El Cucuy and then he lands a nice right hand. Good combination lands for Diaz. Both men get in tight and Ferguson lands a sharp little elbow. Diaz pushes back with a combination to get some distance. Big combination from Ferguson where he lands a clean uppercut.
Diaz pushing forward and lands a nice left hand. Big low kick from Ferguson lands. Here comes Diaz now with a big combination. Ferguson is cut and Diaz is smelling blood as he’s really upping the pressure on El Cucuy. Nice hook to the body lands for Ferguson and then he lands a nice elbow.
Jab from Diaz lands and then he backs it up with a combination. Uppercut counter from Ferguson. Diaz coming forward now with two really nice left hands. Big combination from Diaz and Ferguson is busted up. Low kicks now from Ferguson. The round comes to a close and it might be 1-1 at UFC 279.
Round 3
Entering the third at UFC 279 and this is very competitive fight thus far. Diaz pushes forward to start the third. Ferguson tries throwing but Diaz lands a nice counter right. Body kick from El Cucuy lands. Leg kick from Ferguson and the damage is really adding up on Diaz’s leg.
Ferguson really digging into the kicks now. Right hand for Ferguson and Diaz is really not doing well. Now, here comes Diaz. Diaz is throwing heat back and Ferguson tries to land an elbow. This is a very interesting round as Diaz is taking moments off just walking around the cage.
Big low kick from Ferguson and he comes forward with a right hand. Diaz now comes back with pressure and he’s throwing big combinations. Ferguson tries to escape to get some distance and Diaz talks to people outside the cage while pointing at Ferguson.
Big combination from Diaz lands and Ferguson counters. Big low kick from Ferguson and Diaz smiles at him but he’s definitely not standing well on that front leg. Jab from El Cucuy and Diaz is trying to stay on the pressure. Nice combination from Diaz lands.
Big 1-2 from Diaz closes the round and that could’ve been anyone’s round at UFC 279.
Round 4
Entering the fourth round and this could be anyone’s fight at UFC 279. Ferguson throws a body straight to start the third and Diaz immediately counters with a nice combination. Lead left hook for Ferguson lands. Big low kick and an uppercut lands for El Cucuy.
Lead uppercut for Ferguson and Diaz comes forward. Nice jab from Ferguson and Diaz looks to counter. Left straight from Diaz might’ve hurt Ferguson there. Ferguson moving away as Diaz is upping the pressure. Big combination from Diaz who is really turning it on here.
Ferguson lands a big leg kick but Diaz is walking right through it. Hook to the body lands for Ferguson. Jab from Diaz. Ferguson shoots for a takedown and gets it. However, he lands right in guillotine of Nate Diaz. It’s deep and Ferguson taps. Huge win for Nate Diaz.
Nate Diaz def. Tony Ferguson by Submission (Guillotine Choke) – Round 4