UFC 279 Predictions: Chimaev Will Go Toe-To-Toe With Legend Nate Diaz

• A non-title fight headlines UFC 279
• Tony Ferguson makes the move up to welterweight
• Holland vs Rodriguez set at a catchweight

UFC 279: Chimaev vs Diaz

The odds for this match are provided by the FanDuel sportsbook. Click on the odds below to head to FanDuel to place a bet.

UFC 279: Chimaev vs Diaz – Picks & Predictions

Khamzat Chimaev vs Nate Diaz – Welterweight Division

Khamzat Chimaev (-1000)

Li Jingliang vs Tony Ferguson – Welterweight Division

Li Jingliang (-295)

Kevin Holland vs Daniel Rodriguez – Catchweight (180-pounds)

Daniel Rodriguez (+158)

Irene Aldana vs Macy Chiasson – Women’s Bantamweight Division

Macy Chiasson (+144)

Johnny Walker vs Ion Cutelaba – Light Heavyweight Division

Johnny Walker (+152)

Bet $5 and Get $150

In what is Khamzat Chimaev’s first UFC pay-per-view main event, the undefeated fighter will enter the octagon as the biggest betting favorite on the main card by a mile. He is listed as -1000!

He will go toe-to-toe with UFC legend Nate Diaz, who will be fighting in his fourth non-title PPV main event.

Diaz last fought against the now-welterweight champion Leon Edwards. Despite coming close to a knockout in the fifth round, it was Edwards that was awarded the unanimous decision victory at UFC 263 last June.

Undefeated as a professional, Chimaev has wins in both the UFC welterweight and middleweight divisions. After finishing all four of his UFC fights, Chimaev’s most recent fight proved to be his toughest test.

He last fought Gilbert Burns at UFC 273 this past April. Burns brought Chimaev to a judge’s decision for the first time in his career. Chimaev was awarded the decision victory and the two men were awarded fight of the night honors.

Chimaev will stand two inches taller but Diaz will have a one-inch reach advantage.

To find out how to place your bets for this welterweight main event, check out our ultimate UFC betting guide to get started.

Li Jingliang vs Tony Ferguson – Welterweight Division

After winning 12-fights in a row, going undefeated for roughly six years, Tony Ferguson now finds himself amidst a four-fight losing streak.

Ferguson’s last bout, which took place at UFC 274 this past May, came against Michael Chandler – who knocked Ferguson out with a front kick in the second round.

His fight against Li Jingliang this Saturday will be Ferguson’s first welterweight bout under the UFC banner, after having competed as a lightweight since 2011.

Li Jingliang recently bounced back from a loss to Khamzat Chimaev with a second-round TKO over Muslim Salikhov this past July. He earned a performance of the night bonus.

Listed as a -295 favorite, Jingliang will still find himself at a reach disadvantage of 4.5-inches.

Kevin Holland vs Daniel Rodriguez – Catchweight (180-pounds)

Believed to be scheduled to fight another opponent in October, Kevin Holland now finds himself matched up against Daniel Rodriguez with just two-weeks notice.

The two welterweights will fight at a catchweight of 180-pounds due to the short amount of time to prepare.

Holland, who moved down to the UFC welterweight division at the start of 2022 has gone 2-0 since the weight change. He most recently submitted Tim Means this past June.

Rodriguez is riding a three-fight winning streak. His most recent bout came against Kevin Lee, whom he defeated via unanimous decision last August.

Holland will stand three inches taller and have a reach advantage of seven inches. He is listed at -196.

Irene Aldana vs Macy Chiasson – Women’s Bantamweight Division

Although coming off of a first-round TKO win over Yana Kunitskaya, Irene Aldana has not fought since UFC 264 in July 2021.

Her opponent, Macy Chiasson, is coming off of a split-decision win over Norma Dumont that took place at UFC 274 this past May.

Chiasson, an Ultimate Fighter tournament winner, will have a three-inch reach advantage in the fight against Aldana. Despite this, she is a +144 underdog.

Johnny Walker vs Ion Cutelaba – Light Heavyweight Division

Two light heavyweights kick off the main card and both are in need of a big win.

Just 1-3-1 over his last five fights, Ion Cutelaba most recently succumbed to a first-round guillotine choke at the hands of Ryan Spann this past May.

Johnny Walker is 1-4 over his last five fights, having lost his last two in a row. His last fight took place in February when he was knocked out by Jamahal Hill in the first round.

Walker is the taller man and will also enjoy a significant seven-inch reach advantage. However, at -196, Cutelaba is the favorite to win according to oddsmakers.

How to Watch UFC 279: Chimaev vs Diaz