Nate Diaz has claimed he will now only fight Khamzat Chimaev backstage after his rival missed weight.
Diaz was set to face the Chechen star as the final outing on his expiring UFC contract at UFC 279 tonight set for the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Concerns had been expressed that Chimaev was significantly off making the 171lb limit for the fight, which proved true when he tipped the scales at 178.5lb.
The card has now been rearranged by UFC kingpin Dana White who has organised a fight for Diaz with late-replacement Tony Ferguson, while Chimaev will instead take on Kevin Holland in the co-main event. Diaz has admitted he had prepared to take on anybody but was irritated by the late change to his opposition.
"It's all a mess it's f***ing irritating," Diaz told ESPN after discovering Ferguson will replace Chimaev as his final foe. "It's all a mess I don't even know how to fight this guy [Ferguson] and I haven't watched any video of him. But it doesn't matter anyway because I train for everybody. I don't train specifically for fights anymore I just train to take on anybody and I am always ready for war.
"It for sure makes me happy that I am not supporting this bull**** they have been trying to push on me the whole time. This guy is like a Laker playing in the major league. I will never fight him [Chimaev] I'll fight him right now if I could f***ing find his b**** a**."
Diaz refused to accept a catchweight bout with Chimaev which was proposed at the last minute after the rising star missed weight for the first time in his UFC career. Despite missing weight, Chimaev walked to the scales with a smile on his face which frustrated the crowd in the arena before uttering "that's not bad" despite missing the mark by around 7.5lb.
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Chimaev had already caused chaos ahead of the event after sparking a mass ruckus backstage at Thursday's planned press conference, which was later shelved after he kicked new opponent Holland. The No.3 contender had been advised to stop cutting weight late despite being given more time as doctors became concerned over his health.
However Diaz will still make his final bow despite chaos at the final hour as he looks set to step in the octagon for the first time since losing to Leon Edwards last June. It was a long wait for the UFC veteran who had frequently pleaded with the UFC to be released from his deal as he looks to secure a future in the boxing following his lengthy time with the promotion.
