Jake Paul is ready to put money on Nate Diaz beating Khamzat Chimaev when the rivals clash at UFC 279.
Diaz has been left frustrated for several months having been unable to find an opponent for the final fight of his expiring UFC deal. Several opponents were heavily linked with a fight against Diaz including Dustin Poirier, Vicente Luque and Conor McGregor but his wait for a return went on.
Leaked match-ups from the UFC's matchmaking 'war-room' showed Diaz would likely face Chimaev this summer. Despite talks initially falling at the first hurdle, a shock announcement has now confirmed the Stockon Native will indeed face the rising star in Las Vegas on September 10.
Diaz's potential rival Paul has had his say on the fight on social media, tweeting: "Better believe I’m putting my money on Nate Diaz to win versus fake Khabib [Nurmagomedov]." Chimaev has often been compared to retired star Nurmagomedov with the rising star showing his elite wrestling skills throughout the early phase of his career.
Chimaev and Diaz had verbally agreed to face each other on social media shortly after the leaked match-up, despite Diaz's previous claims he would not fight the "rookie". However the fight was delayed with Diaz later claiming his potential rival's wedding was stalling a confirmed date.
As time continued to tick down, Diaz put pressure on UFC president Dana White last week in an emotional plea begging him to be released. White responded by claiming he was working on a fight and has now delivered a date which will see a curtain brought down on Diaz's long career.
Who do you think will win - Nate Diaz or Khamzat Chimaev? Let us know in the comments section below
Diaz's desire to leave the UFC has largely been down to the potential offers of lucrative bouts outside the promotion, including a boxing showdown with YouTube star Paul. His rival has made it crystal clear that he would like to secure a crossover bout, and even offered to fight Diaz in the UFC if he was unable to leave.
Having not fought since last June, Diaz is excited by the possibility of regular activity outside the UFC and has finally addressed his chances of stepping in the ring with Paul. "I'm interested in anything," Diaz responded when asked about a showdown with Paul during an interview on the MMA Hour. "I'm interested in activity and if I get out and he is the first guy to step up then I am fighting him.
"I want to fight some of the best boxers and some s*** like that, yeah I'll fight everybody and anybody that you can think of. Anyone who wants to fight I am going to fight, anyone who is talking some s*** like Jake Paul. For some reason people put him with my a** and it isn't for no reason because he is f****** doing his thing."
