Nate Diaz has his final fight.
Diaz has verbally agreed to meet Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279 on September 10 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. ESPN reported the news and a source confirmed it to MMA Fighting Tuesday afternoon.
Chimaev told ESPN through his rep Majdi Shammas, “I am going to handle Nate Diaz’s funeral.”
The news came after MMA journalist Ariel Helwani revealed that Diaz’s contract expires on October 19. If he were to sit out of competition, the UFC would release him via sunset clause.
But it seems it doesn’t need to get to that point. Now, Diaz will face Chimaev, a rising contender who is undefeated at 11-0.
The Chechen fighter has won five straight fights including a brutal performance against Gilbert Burns at UFC 273 – marking his first decision win of his pro career.
Diaz, meanwhile, has been out of the octagon for over a year. He last suffered a loss to Leon Edwards in June 2021.
Diaz also clarified that he was offered other fights, but they included contract extensions, which he declined.