Nicely, that was bizarre. The place will we even begin?
Let’s begin with Nate Diaz vs. Khamzat Chimaev. That was the struggle that was supposed to headline UFC 279. However Chimaev missed weight massively, coming in 7.5 kilos over the 171 restrict. To save lots of the cardboard, the UFC needed to rearrange your complete important card.
Learn Extra: How one can Get ESPN Plus for UFC 279
After negotiations between the fighters, there is a new important occasion. And one which, bizarrely, makes much more sense.
As a substitute of being outmatched by Chimaev, Nate Diaz is now dealing with off towards fellow UFC legend Tony Ferguson.
Chimaev is now combating Kevin Holland at a 179-pound catch weight within the co-main occasion. Contemplating these two have been circling one another, sending gibes one another’s method for months, this struggle may make quite a lot of sense.
Li Jingliang, who was initially going to struggle Tony Ferguson, is now dealing with off towards Holland’s outdated opponent, Daniel Rodriguez.
Briefly we have gone from…
- Khamzat Chimaev vs. Nate Diaz
- Tony Ferguson vs. Li Jingliang
- Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez
To…
- Nate Diaz vs. Tony Ferguson
- Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kevin Holland
- Li Jingliang vs. Daniel Rodriguez
Most likely the largest loser right here is Li Jingliang, who’s gone from a status co-main occasion with a legend in Tony Ferguson, to a extremely powerful struggle with a much bigger man in Daniel Rodriguez.
However the card is alive.
Press convention canceled?
It has been a chaotic few days. Earlier than the weigh-in circus, UFC President Dana White was pressured to cancel the UFC 279 press convention on the final minute, after an enormous scuffle backstage that includes Chimaev and Kevin Holland, one other fighter on the undercard.
The pair had been arguing backwards and forwards earlier than issues bought bodily. Reportedly, members of Diaz’s entourage additionally bought concerned, with bottles being thrown.
MMA reporter Ariel Helwani has the complete story.
Extra data coming in.
Khamzat Chimaev push kicked Holland within the chest. Chimaev was reacting to issues Holland has mentioned not too long ago and it set him off, I’m advised. As soon as that was damaged up the Chimaev-Diaz a part of the story popped off after which the bottles began flying. https://t.co/WGpbskiQz7
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 9, 2022
All par for the course with a Diaz struggle.
UFC 279 Begin time
The UFC 279 important card begins at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT) on Sept. 10. Listed here are all the main points from a number of time zones.
US
- The principle card begins Sept 10, 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT).
- The prelims begin Sept. 10, 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT).
- The early prelims begin Sep. 10, 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT).
UK
- The principle card begins Sept. 11, 3 a.m. BST.
- The prelims begin Sept. 11, 1 a.m. BST.
- The early prelims begin Sept. 10, 11 p.m. BST.
Australia
- The principle card begins Sept. 11, 12 p.m. AEDT.
- The prelims begin Sept. 11, 10 a.m. AEDT.
- The early prelims begin Sept. 11, 8.00 a.m. AEDT.
How one can watch UFC 279
The UFC now has a partnership with ESPN. That is nice information for the UFC and the growth of the game of MMA, however unhealthy information for client selection. Particularly in case you’re one of many UFC followers who need to watch UFC within the US.
Within the US, if you wish to know how one can watch UFC 279, you will solely discover the struggle night time on pay per view via ESPN Plus. The price construction is a bit complicated, however listed below are the choices to look at UFC on ESPN, in keeping with ESPN’s website:
- Current yearly ESPN Plus subscribers can order the upcoming UFC card for $75.
- New ESPN Plus subscribers can purchase a bundle of 1 UFC PPV occasion (streaming in HD) and an ESPN Plus annual recurring subscription for $100. It is a respectable deal. The ESPN Plus annual ESPN subscription will auto-renew after one yr, on the worth of an ESPN Plus annual subscription on the time of auto-renewal.
You are able to do the entire above on the hyperlink under.
MMA followers within the UK can watch UFC 278 solely via BT Sport.
There are extra choices in case you stay in Australia. You may watch UFC 278 via Important Occasion on Foxtel. You can too stream through Kayo for AU$55. You may even order utilizing your PlayStation or utilizing the UFC app in your Xbox.
Want extra worldwide viewing choices? Strive a VPN to change your IP deal with to entry these US, UK or Australian choices listed above. See the greatest VPNs beneficial by CNET editors.
Full struggle card
As at all times, these playing cards are topic to alter.
Important PPV card
- Nate Diaz vs. Tony Ferguson
- Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kevin Holland
- Li Jingliang vs. Daniel Rodriguez
- Irene Aldana vs. Macy Chiasson
- Johnny Walker vs. Ion Cutelaba
Prelims
- Hakeem Dawodu vs. Julian Erosa
- Jailton Almeida vs. Anton Turkalj
- Denis Tiuliulin vs. Jamie Pickett
- Jake Collier vs. Chris Barnett
Early prelims
- Danyelle Wolf vs. Norma Dumont
- Chad Anheliger vs. Heili Alateng
- Elise Reed vs. Melissa Martinez
- Darian Weeks vs. Yohan Lainesse