This past Saturday in the headliner of UFC 279, we saw a welterweight matchup between two of the OG’s of the fight game. While it wasn’t the fight that was supposed to headline the card a week ago, fans were treated to a matchup between Nate Diaz (21-13) and Tony Ferguson (25-8).
Diaz was originally supposed to face off with Khamzat Chimaev. However, after Chimaev came in massively overweight, the entire card shifted and we ended up with Diaz taking on Tony Ferguson. This is a fight fans wanted for a long time.
Ferguson had been training for a three-round fight with Li Jingliang and ended up in a five-round fight with Diaz. Early on in the fight, Ferguson focused on leg kicks. Diaz was very patient while he looked for the right opportunities to explode with combinations.
When Diaz would put his foot on the gas, he was able to hurt Ferguson. However, he wasn’t that aggressive and it allowed Ferguson to have continued success especially with leg kicks. That being said, through three rounds, Nate Diaz was winning the fight.
Ferguson’s corner called for takedowns in between the third and fourth round. This ultimately was his downfall. Ferguson shot for a takedown and he ended up immediately in a guillotine choke. He fought it for a sec and ultimately tapped giving Nate Diaz the win at UFC 279.
What’s next after UFC 279?
This was a huge turn of events for Nate Diaz. The UFC gave him a horrific matchup and it looked like he was destined to get mauled in his final bout on his contract. However, everything changed around and he got a favorable matchup and ended up getting a finish.
Now, he’s a free man after fighting out his UFC contract. Diaz showed love for the promotion after the fight was over and said he plans on coming back eventually for a UFC title. However, he made it clear that he’s planning on doing something else next.
What is that something? That something is boxing. Diaz is already looking to the Jake Paul – Anderson Silva boxing match in October. If Jake Paul can get by Anderson Silva, it will set up a big time boxing match with Nate Diaz.
My guess is that Diaz would box Paul and then potentially return to the UFC by the end of 2023. Who knows, maybe for the trilogy with Conor McGregor.