On tonight's episode of MMA Complete Podcast, we dive into the bizarre matchup everyone's been talking about, Khamzat Chimaev vs Nate Diaz. The biggest prospect in the UFC and the "undeniable next big thing" in UFC is riding his 5 fight UFC win streak and 11-0 career record into his first ever main event this Saturday at UFC 279 against one of the most polarizing fighters in history.
These two couldn't be further apart when it comes to recent history. Chimaev has two top-15 wins and 4 finishes in his 5 fights, where as Nate Diaz is riding 3 losses in his last 4 fights and hasn't finished an opponent since his legacy-cementing choke on Conor McGregor six and a half years ago. What Diaz does have for him is two things, his drawability and his toughness.
Everyone is aware of Diaz's toughness but some don't realize the world class skill this mythical fighter possesses. Diaz earned his 3rd-degree black belt last year, a rank less than a handful of fighters in the UFC has. He also has over 15 years of experience in the UFC and one of the most experienced resumes ever with wins against Jim Miller, Anthony Pettis and aforementioned Conor McGregor plus more. His last fight that wasn't a main or co-main event was over 7 years ago and this weekend will find himself in his sixth main event of his career. Whatever happens this weekend, Diaz is one of the most popular superstars ever and will continue making headlines whether in the octagon or in his next MMA organization Real Fights Inc.
The other side to this main event coin is Khamzat Chimaev. If you've been living under a rock for the past two years, Chimaev has had a meteoric rise to the top of the UFC's stardom and rankings only seen by Conor McGregor in 2015. Since signing to the UFC in the Summer of 2020 Chimaev has achieved the record of the fastest turnaround win in UFC history in 10 days. Has fought and earned finishes in two different divisions. He's achieved back-to-back 1st round finishes of UFC veterans Li Jingliang and Gerald Meerschaert. Then had the fight of the year so far of 2022 against Gilbert Burns where he earned a unanimous decision victory over the 3-time world jiu-jitsu champion. Chimaev currently sits at the #3 welterweight contender and will likely earn a title shot against Leon Edwards in 2023, if the rematch against former champion and #1 pound-for-pound Kamaru Usman isn't set beforehand.
If you want to hear more on the topic make sure to check out MMA Complete Podcast tonight September 8th @ 7p.m. EST on our twitter @complete_mma or on our Youtube page 'MMA Complete Podcast'.
Make sure to stay tuned as continue coverage of the UFC and UFC 279 PPV this Saturday.
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-Z.D.