Category: UFC

UFC 279 pre-event facts: A final look at Nate Diaz’s resume potential farewell fight

Take a look at the numbers behind Nate Diaz’s resume as he enters his likely final UFC bout vs. Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279.

The final UFC pay-per-view of the summer goes down Saturday with UFC 279 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNNews and early prelims on ESPN+.

A highly-anticipated and polarizing matchup serves as the main event of the card in “Sin City.” Undefeated rising star [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] (11-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) will attempt to stay undefeated when he meets a legend of the game in [autotag]Nate Diaz[/autotag] (20-13 MMA, 15-11 UFC), who will fight out the final bout on his current UFC contract.

For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s pre-event facts about UFC 279.

Khamzat Chimaev hopes Nate Diaz can ‘survive’ five rounds in UFC 279 headliner

Khamzat Chimaev wants Nate Diaz to show his trademark heart and durability in the UFC 279 main event.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] wants [autotag]Nate Diaz[/autotag] to show his trademark heart and durability in Saturday’s UFC 279 main event.

In what is set to be the final fight on Diaz’s current UFC contract, the fan-favorite will take on undefeated rising star Chimaev (11-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) in a welterweight bout at T-Mobile Arena. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNNews and ESPN+.

Chimaev is currently the overwhelming betting favorite heading into the contest, and he said he intends to live up to those expectations by buzz-sawing through Diaz. Internally, though, Chimaev hopes Diaz (20-13 MMA, 15-11 UFC) can give him a long, competitive fight.

“What he going to do? (The) fight (is) at 170,” Chimaev told MMA Junkie and other reporters at UFC 279 media day. “I can fight at heavyweight as well. I don’t think that guy is going to survive one round. I hope he can survive five rounds. It’s good for him. Show his heart and go away from the UFC being a warrior. If I beat him first round everyone is going to say the guy is too old and ‘Uncle Diaz is going to have to go home.'”

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For Chimaev, UFC 279 represents a significant moment in his career. To headline a pay-per-view event against a name of Diaz’s caliber is no easy accomplishment, and he’s doing it in just his sixth fight with the organization.

“All moments in UFC are big moments for me,” Chimaev said. “It feels amazing I’m fighting Nate Diaz. One of the guys who has been like 15 years in the UFC. One of the legends. Maybe it’s his last fight. Who knows. I’m happy.”

When it comes time to be locked inside the octagon, Chimaev said there will be no relishing at the moment or holding back. He wants to continue to flourish and show he can shine on the biggest of stages.

“I’m going to go take his head off,” Chimaev said. “I come here, don’t take the points and play the games. I come here to smash somebody and take his head.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 279.

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‘Estábamos tomando’: Dana White y Nate Diaz sobre su altercado en un club nocturno en 2014

LAS VEGAS – Dana White y Nate Diaz no siempre han estado de acuerdo en todo. Todo ha sido bien documentado para el ojo público. Sin embargo, por primera vez, los dos hablaron públicamente este martes sobre un altercado diferente. Unas horas antes …

LAS VEGAS – Dana White y Nate Diaz no siempre han estado de acuerdo en todo. Todo ha sido bien documentado para el ojo público. Sin embargo, por primera vez, los dos hablaron públicamente este martes sobre un altercado diferente.

Unas horas antes del evento Dana White’s Contender Series 53, durante una entrevista con ESPN por motivo de la semana de peleas de la UFC 279 en Las Vegas, Diaz reveló que los dos estuvieron a punto de llegar a los golpes en un club nocturno hace nueve años, cuando su compañero del Scrap Pack, Gilbert Melendez era el entrenador de la temporada 20 de “The Ultimate Fighter” y en el otro equipo estaba el entonces campeón de peso ligero Anthony Pettis.

“También hubo una ocasión en la que casi golpeo a Dana White en un club de aquí. Estaba hablando m**rda. ¿Ya les contó? Deberían preguntarle. Estaba hablando m**rda y después yo estaba discutiendo con él. Yo estaba enojado con él. No debí haberme enojado con él. Entendí el negocio hace mucho tiempo. ¿Cuándo estuvo Gilbert (Melendez en) ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ con (Anthony Pettis)? Creo que fue cuando todas las chicas salieron del show y Rose (Namajunas) ganó la cosa, todos habían salido del show y fuimos a un club con Dana. Estaban teniendo una gran fiesta después del programa.”

“Dana estaba todo (grosería). Estaba tipo ‘¿Qué pasa, (grosería)?’ Yo estaba como ‘A la m**rda la UFC. Me largo de aquí’. Y él, ‘¿Qué pasa?’. Y yo, ‘¿Qué pasa?’. Y él me preguntaba, ‘¿Qué quieres?’. Y yo ‘¿Qué ching*dos crees que quiero? Más dinero y mejores peleas que cualquiera de aquí, (grosería)’.”

Traducción: Agarraron desprevenido a Dana White cuando le preguntaron sobre la *supuesta* vez que él y Nate Diaz casi se pelean a golpes hace años en un club nocturno.
“Estábamos tomando”.

 

Horas después de que Diaz se riera de los altercados del pasado, le hicieron a White justo la pregunta que había sugerido Diaz: hablar sobre el altercado de hace años. Fue claro que Diaz fue tomado desprevenido cuando le pidieron que diera su versión de la historia, tal vez un muertito en el clóset que no esperaba volver a ver.

“Supuestamente”, dijo White mientras se reía en la conferencia de prensa después de DWCS 53. “Supuestamente. Estábamos bebiendo. … ¿Alguien tiene alguna otra pregunta?”

Los comentarios del altercado reavivan la relación turbulenta entre Diaz y White, pues el primero terminará su contrato con la UFC el sábado. El martes, horas antes de que White se oyera nostálgico mientras hablaba sobre la potencial agencia libre de Diaz, Diaz expresó sentir faltas de respeto y de sentirse usado.

Diaz (20-13 MMA, 15-11 UFC) estará en la pelea estelar de la UFC 279 contra Khamzat Chimaev (11-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC). La pelea será el sábado en el T-Mobile Arena de Las Vegas y se transmitirá por pago por evento después de los preliminares por ESPN/ESPN+.

 

Artículo traducido por Ana Lucía Toledo

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UFC 278 salaries: Kamaru Usman, Jose Aldo top list of disclosed payouts

Former champions Kamaru Usman and Jose Aldo lead the way with six-figure paydays in Utah.

UFC 278 payouts have been released by the overseeing commissioning body.

Wednesday, MMA Junkie received a list of disclosed earnings from Pete Suazo Utah Athletic Commission head Scott Bowler, which oversaw the Aug. 20 pay-per-view event in Salt Lake City.

Atop the list of payouts is former UFC welterweight champion [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag], who pocketed $500,000 for his head kick knockout loss to [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag]. Edwards earned $350,000 with his upset victory.

Co-headliner winner [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag] earned $130,000 for his win over [autotag]Luke Rockhold[/autotag], who earned $200,000. Rockhold openly criticized fighter pay in the lead-up to the bout.

Former UFC featherweight champion [autotag]Jose Aldo[/autotag] took home $400,000 for a loss to [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag], who earned $198,000.

Heavyweight [autotag]Marcin Tybura[/autotag] also pocketed $240,000 for his win over [autotag]Alexandr Romanov[/autotag] ($36,000) on the prelims.

Scroll below to see a full list of payouts. It’s important to note the figures only represent the disclosed pursues. Performance bonuses, locker room bonuses, and additional compliance bonuses are not included.

Video: UFC 279 media day live stream

Follow along with our live video stream from UFC 279 media day in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS – Fight week is officially underway for the UFC’s 10th pay-per-view event of the year.

UFC 279 media day kicks off the week of activities ahead of Saturday’s event at T-Mobile Arena. Starting at approximately 1:15 p.m. ET, MMA Junkie will live stream media day, which features headliners [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] and [autotag]Nate Diaz[/autotag], co-headliners [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] and [autotag]Li Jingliang[/autotag], and a host of others fighting on the card.

Below is the full lineup (all times ET, subject to change):

  • 1:15 p.m. Julian Erosa available
  • 1:30 p.m. Khamzat Chimaev available
  • 1:45 p.m. Tony Ferguson available
  • 2 p.m. Daniel Rodriguez available
  • 2:15 p.m. Macy Chiasson available
  • 2:30 p.m. Ion Cutelaba available
  • 3:15 p.m. Li Jingliang available
  • 3:30 p.m. Kevin Holland available
  • 4 p.m. Irene Aldana available
  • 4:15 p.m. Johnny Walker available
  • 4:30 p.m. Hakeem Dawodu available
  • 5 p.m. Nate Diaz available

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 278.

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UFC 279 ‘Embedded,’ No. 3: Tony Ferguson tells a dad joke about muffins

The popular “Embedded” fight-week video series is back to document what’s happening behind the scenes at UFC 279.

The UFC is back with its 10th pay-per-view of the year, which means the popular “Embedded” fight-week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 279 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNEWS and early prelims on ESPN+.

The main event is between unbeaten rising star [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] (11-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) and fan favorite [autotag]Nate Diaz[/autotag] (20-13 MMA, 15-11 UFC) in what is likely to be Diaz’s last fight in the promotion. In the co-feature, former interim lightweight champion [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] (25-7 MMA, 15-5 UFC) takes on [autotag]Li Jingliang[/autotag] (19-7 MMA, 11-5 UFC).

The third episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Li Jingliang trains in quiet, then shops for suits. Tony Ferguson mixes it up in the PI. Khamzat Chimaev signs posters, Johnny Walker goes for speed. Macy Chiasson and Kevin Holland land in Las Vegas.

Also see:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 279.

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Karl Williams ready to go full force into UFC deal after DWCS 53 win when odds were against him

Karl Williams turned 32 in January. He couldn’t have known then his age might cause him some stress trying to break into the UFC.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Karl Williams[/autotag] turned 32 in January. He couldn’t have known at the time that his age might cause him some stress while trying to break into the UFC.

Just a week ago, UFC president Dana White said he typically isn’t looking to bring 32-year-old fighters into the promotion through Dana White’s Contender Series. But he also said he trusts matchmakers Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard when they set up fights, and 32-year-old Blake Bilder impressed him enough at DWCS 52 to get a deal.

Tuesday, Williams (7-1) took a unanimous decision from Jimmy Lawson (4-2) at DWCS 53. The fact he didn’t get a finish, combined with the knowledge of what White just had said about fighters his exact age had him a little nervous he wouldn’t get a UFC contract.

“It’s still a win, but I’m not satisfied because I know what Dana White is looking for,” Williams said at a post-event news conference. “I’ve been watching the Contender Series for a while. … Knowing the performance, and even last week he was saying about (fighters) being 32, I’m like, ‘Oh, here we go. Geez, give me a break.’ He did give me a break and gave me the opportunity.”

Williams got a deal with his fourth straight win, and now he’s hoping for a quick turnaround to potentially fight on the UFC’s Oct. 29 card with some of his American Top Team Atlanta teammates, including Cody Durden.

He also was fighting up at heavyweight against an opponent 30 pounds heavier than him. He’s naturally a light heavyweight, and that’s where he plans to return in the UFC.

“You’re just living in the moment right now, and I’m thinking about ‘When is the next one?’ It’s like, excited and then trying to figure out where we go from here,” Williams said. “I’m trying to be active. I’m trying to get two more by the end of the year, if possible.

“I believe in my coaches, believe in my team, so I never really think I’m going to lose. It was bad odds, but with what I’ve been doing, I’ve been training all year. Even having to take five weeks off, I still felt confident – I’m not going to give my best performance (at DWCS 53), but I’m able to win. I thought I was going to be a little bit better … I didn’t know if I was going to get another shot. … Let’s just win the first time and get it out of the way and get the ball rolling.”

“I’m hoping for Oct. 29, the Vegas card, because I have two of my teammates on that card.”

Check out the full interview with Williams in the video above.

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Vitor Petrino passed challenge of beating someone a second time to get UFC deal at DWCS 53

Vitor Petrino was in a unique position when he walked to the cage for the Dana White’s Contender Series 53 main event Tuesday.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Vitor Petrino[/autotag] was in a unique position when he walked to the cage for the Dana White’s Contender Series 53 main event Tuesday.

Petrino had the pressure of needing to beat someone he already had a win over, and knew if he did so in impressive enough fashion, it also would mean a chance to fight in the biggest promotion in the world.

Petrino (7-0) knocked out Rodolfo Bellato (8-2) in the second round of their light heavyweight headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, and he did indeed secure the UFC deal he was after. He first had fought Bellato in their native Brazil a little more than three years ago in what was Petrino’s first pro fight.

“It’s very hard to describe. It’s a lot of emotions filled into one moment. All this hard work paid off, and here I am in the greatest promotion on the planet,” Petrino said at a post-event news conference.

“I knew the toughness of my opponent – he’s a tough guy. But I obviously just kept to the strategy. I knew he was going to come out guns blazing because of the fact it’s a rematch. But at the end of the day, it worked out. I kept the strategy, and it was one of the best fights of the night.”

Petrino said he wasn’t really concerned about his first win over Bellato – which came in just 25 seconds when he knocked him out in May 2019. This time, they each had more fights under their belts.

Petrino came in with four straight knockouts, including three in the first round, and he continued that streak in his rematch with Bellato.

“I wouldn’t say it was easier or harder,” he said. “What I would say is it was a challenge. When I fought him (the first time), I was 0-0. He was 5-0. It was my debut, and (nearly) four years ago. Four years between two people, I knew I was going to see a different (Bellato). He knew he was going to see a different me. All I had to do was thank him for the opportunity to be here and put on a great fight.”

Now Petrino said he wants to get his UFC career going with a little urgency.

“The earlier, the better,” he said. “I am ready. I am well-trained. Even though it was a war, I’m at 100 percent. I’m ready to go. I’d say I’m ready to go in December. Besides fighting in December, I have a dream of fighting in Brazil. So why not December, and at the end of January, as well. I’m ready. Whoever comes, I’ll face it. We do not choose opponents. We’re ready to put on a show for you guys.”

Check out the full interview with Petrino in the video above.

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Brothers Ismael and Gabriel Bonfim ready for a UFC future without pressure of fighting on the same card

History was at stake when Ismael and Gabriel Bonfim laced up their gloves Tuesday.

LAS VEGAS – History was at stake when [autotag]Ismael Bonfim[/autotag] and [autotag]Gabriel Bonfim[/autotag] laced up their gloves Tuesday.

The Brazilian brothers once again had a chance to fight on the same card as each other. But at Dana White’s Contender Series 53, potential UFC contracts were on the line for each of them. And they delivered.

For the first time in the series’ history, siblings fought on the same card and won on the same card – and both Ismael and Gabriel were given UFC deals by promotion president Dana White.

“It’s very big – huge emotion – because it’s a project that’s been ongoing for 15 years,” Ismael said through a translator at a post-event news conference alongside his brother. “I started at age 7, and then (Gabriel) joined me shortly after that. I never thought we would be hyped together into this and we would be brought into (the UFC) together. Fifteen years of a project together and reaping what we sowed and getting the fruits of our work.”

Ismael Bonfim (18-3) fought first and took a unanimous decision from Nariman Abbasov (28-4). Gabriel Bonfim (13-0) fought in the co-feature and submitted Trey Waters (6-1) with a first-round Von Flue choke.

Oddly enough, the brothers said fighting on the same card as each other isn’t something they necessarily enjoy – though they’ll wind up looking back fondly on this particular event, no doubt.

“It’s a completely out-of-whack emotion and pressure because I’m thinking, ‘Dude, if I lose, I’m going to screw up (Gabriel’s) psyche, and he’s going to end up losing, too. So I’m going to win and put the pressure on him to perform even better,'” Ismael said.

Gabriel confirmed fighting after his brother means he gets a little added stress.

“I was telling (Ismael), ‘I do not want to be on the same card as you,'” Gabriel said. “This is the third time we’ve been on the same card, and I’m always the last one, and the pressure’s always on me. I do not want to do this again.”

But now with UFC contracts secured, they said if they have to fight on the same card again, they would – particularly if it means they can do it when the UFC returns to their home country of Brazil for UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro in January.

Gabriel just wants to request a change in the order they fight.

Check out the full interview with Ismael and Gabriel Bonfim in the video above.

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‘We were drinking’: Dana White, Nate Diaz recount alleged 2014 nightclub altercation

Things nearly turned physical between Dana White and Nate Diaz in a nightclub years ago – allegedly – as the two described before UFC 279.

LAS VEGAS – Dana White and [autotag]Nate Diaz[/autotag] haven’t always seen eye-to-eye. That’s been well-documented in the public eye. However, the two UFC staples spoke publicly Tuesday for the first time about a different kind of altercation.

Hours prior to Dana White’s Contender Series 53 in Las Vegas, Diaz revealed in a UFC 279 fight week interview with ESPN the two nearly came to blows at a nightclub in the ballpark of nine years ago when his Scrap Pack teammate Gilbert Melendez was coaching “The Ultimate Fighter, Season 20” opposite then-lightweight champ Anthony Pettis.

“I almost beat Dana White up in a club here one time, too. You should’ve seen it. He was like, talking sh*t. Did he tell you about it? You should ask him. He was talking sh*t and then I was arguing with him. I was mad at him. I shouldn’t have been mad at him. I understood the business a long time ago. When was Gilbert (Melendez on) ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ with (Anthony Pettis)? I think when all the girls got off the show and Rose (Namajunas) won the thing, everybody had got out the show and then we went to the club with Dana. They were having a big afterparty.

“Dana was all (expletive). He was like, ‘What’s up (expletive)?’ I was like, ‘F*ck the UFC. I’m getting out of here.’ He was like, ‘What’s up?’ And I was like, ‘What’s up?’ And he was telling me about, ‘What do you want?’ I was like, ‘What the f*ck do you think I want? More money and better f*cking fights than anyone here, you (expletive).'”

Hours after Diaz chuckled about altercations of yesteryears, White was asked the exact question Diaz suggested – to speak on the altercation of years past. White was visibly caught off guard when asked his side of the story, perhaps a skeleton in the closet he wasn’t expecting.

“Allegedly,” White said, laughing at a DWCS 53 post-fight news conference. “Allegedly. We were drinking. … Does anybody else have any other questions?”

The comments on the altercation continue the ongoing, turbulent relationship between Diaz and White, as the former is set to Saturday finish out his UFC deal. Diaz expressed feelings of disrespect and being used, hours before White sounded nostalgic Tuesday as he talked about Diaz’s potential free agency.

Diaz (20-13 MMA, 15-11 UFC) headlines UFC 279 against Khamzat Chimaev (11-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC). The card takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and streams on pay-per-view after prelims on ESPN/ESPN+.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 279.

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