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In a sensational twist following yesterday’s backstage brawl at the UFC 279 press conference, headline fighter and unbeaten star Khamzat Chimaev has missed weight by a whopping 7.5 pounds for his main event with Nate Diaz.
Chimaev laughed and said “not that bad” as he tipped the scales at 178.5 pounds, with the headline welterweight bout now set to be scrapped.
The UFC is scrambling to rearrange the UFC 279 card at the last moment.
Watch UFC 279: Chimaev v Diaz LIVE on Main Event available on Kayo & Foxtel, Sunday 11 September from 12pm AEST. ORDER NOW >
PRESS CONFERENCE CHAOS
‘Absolute s***show’: UFC presser abandoned as details emerge on what sparked wild backstage brawl
‘It got very physical’: UFC star kicks rival in chest, water bottles thrown as ‘crazy’ details revealed
There have been reports Diaz will instead fight Tony Ferguson in the main event, with the popular Ferguson having been set for his 170-pound debut against Li Jingliang.
Jingliang and Ferguson successfully made weight at 170.5 and 171 pounds, respectively, while Diaz came in at 171 pounds – right on the one-pound allowance.
Another option to face Diaz is Dustin Poirier, who tweeted a picture of himself on personal scales weighing 176.6 pounds – setting up a possible catchweight bout.
Chimaev could instead fight Kevin Holland, who weighed in at 179.5 pounds for his slated bout against Daniel Rodriguez.
Both fighters took to social media to declare themselves interested in that, with Kevin Holland stipulating he would only fight if it was a five-round bout.
“New fight terms. I’m only taking the fight [with Chimaev] if it’s main event and five rounds. Other than that, not fighting. Boom, gone.”
Chimaev and Holland have plenty of history, leading up to Chimaev push-kicking the American in the chest yesterday.
Chimaev was, as usual, given an extra hour to try to make weight but did not attempt it given how far off the limit he was.
There were reports an undisclosed medical condition was behind his shocking miss.
Li Jingliang is now being lined up to fight Daniel Rodriguez.
Two other fighters also missed weight, featherweight Hakeem Dawodu, who came in over the limit at 149.5 pounds, and heavyweight Chris Barnett, who missed the limit at 267.5 pounds.
Barnett becomes just the second UFC fighter ever to come in over the heavyweight limit, joining Justin Tafa.
The UFC has not yet responded to the chaotic situation.
MORE TO COME
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