Nate Diaz pinned Tony Ferguson in the main event of UFC 279 to bring down the curtain on his illustrious UFC career.
In a post-fight interview, Diaz said that with his boxing debut, he will turn his talents to other combat sports.
Elsewhere on the card, khamzat chimaev Chimaev clotheslines Kevin Holland from the first bell, securing a choke in the first round.
Emma Diaz was the star of the series, as many fans hoped she would be with her final appearance in her 15-year UFC career.
The 37-year-old Stockton legend faced off against Chimaev three days ago, but the UFC boss was forced to change the card when the Russian made eight kilos over the agreed weight limit for Sweden.
The delayed warning against Ferguson was no problem for Diaz, as the popular pay-per-view star showed shades of the gangster mentality that has fans adoring him.
Photo by: Jeff Bottari
The first round saw Ferguson appear the more lively of the two competitors, but he ran wild for a spinning elbow that never really went far.
Diaz had the better moment and floored Ferguson with a left hand as he went straight into the interim lightweight champion’s guard with a one-two.
Ferguson’s tires also bled profusely after Diaz’s initial kick. But that wasn’t the last of the kicking or the blood.
In the second round. Blood flowed, but Ferguson played with various combinations – some fluid, some not but still could not deal with Diaz’s left hand.
This would be Ferguson’s downfall as the fight continued. However, early in the third round, Ferguson drilled a nice leg kick to Diaz’s right knee and did not say anything about how much it hurt.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that his behaviour has been temporarily disrupted and that it’s finally over, but it’s not. Diaz calmed down and put together a few combinations to see out the round. Of course, he refuses to engage with cage-side breathers.
In the fourth round, Diaz’s opening came. After another barrage under the Octagon, Diaz’s left hand forced Ferguson to flee the barricade.
However, what El Cucuy found was the guillotine face he expected from the jujitsu master, and he had no choice but to press on.
Diaz said after the fight: ‘I want to get out of the UFC for a little bit and show these UFC fighters how you can do it and have another sport.
‘Cause Conor McGregor doesn’t know how to do it and no other fighter knows how to do it, so I’m going to go there and take a different profession and be the best. Show everyone you are the best.
Boxing, kickboxing, jujitsu, and other MMA organizations. If you think you’re the best, the crème de la crème is here. I speak for you
Main event time! Nate Diaz vs. Tony Ferguson
Photo by: Jeff Bottari
Two of the most beloved fighters in the modern UFC square off in the main event. Tony Ferguson has been the most feared man in the lightweight division for many years, but after four fights, he took on Nate Diaz at heavyweight, who will enjoy his last dance with the company unless he signs a new contract.
One low blow could have changed this fight
Diaz openly cried when Ferguson kicked his right leg. Then he could not move and the fight took a real turn. Before the show, Diaz refused to walk outside the cage, and Ferguson invited the UFC legend to join him.
Diaz would run and catch his breath against the cage before locking horns with Ferguson once again. Diaz wasn’t happy with what happened to his leg but showed plenty of heart going forward.
Diaz landed two punches to Ferguson’s head with 55, but Ferguson put Diaz to work with 25 punches.
This is the main event, slapstick and more blood!
Ferguson was at his best in the opening two minutes, and after some wild combinations, he was able to get past Diaz’s guard with a couple of right hands.
Diaz became more active in the second half of the match and Ferguson’s right eye was bleeding badly. Diaz was successful with two straights that saw his left land straight to centre. Ferguson has not made adjustments to prevent this.
While this fight started very respectfully, it got a little better towards the end of the round. Ferguson cut, but in activism, it seems circular.
It didn’t take long for the first part of the blood!
Both came out with a quick showing of how this contest would play out. Ferguson went for a big spinning elbow first and sent Diaz down with a front telegraph to give him a confident start.
It didn’t take long for the first man to start bleeding
Ferguson’s tire was bleeding and was probably caused by checking Diaz’s kick.
Diaz connected with a left hand that even Ferguson thanked.
Ferguson is more active, but Diaz has the spotlight and that will get him to meet the judge.
Nate Diaz won the fourth round
Nate Diaz leaves the UFC after defeating Tony
Ferguson and it’s his first fight since he beat Conor McGregor in 2016! As the fight progressed, Diaz got bigger and Ferguson couldn’t hold back as his hands started to flow. To be honest, Ferguson seemed happy for Diaz after the loss. There is great respect between the couple.
