Khamzat Chimaev says he hopes Nate Diaz can “survive” five rounds with him at UFC 279 this weekend, although he does not expect his rival to get past the first.
The two welterweights meet in the headline bout at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas early on Sunday morning UAE time, with Chimaev the overwhelming favourite to get the victory.
Diaz, still one of the most popular fighters in the sport, heads into the final bout on his current UFC contract on the back of successive defeats.
Chimaev, meanwhile, has taken the sport by storm since debuting in the UFC in Abu Dhabi in 2020. The Chechen-born Swede, 28, is unbeaten in 11 professional MMA bouts. Diaz, 37, has a 20-13 pro record.
Asked at the UFC 279 media day late on Wednesday what he expects from Diaz, Chimaev told reporters: “What he going to do? [The] fight [is] at 170 [lbs].
“I can fight at heavyweight as well. I don’t think that guy is going to survive one round. I hope he can survive five rounds. It’s good for him. Show his heart and go away from the UFC being a warrior.
“If I beat him first round everyone is going to say the guy is too old and that Uncle Diaz is going to have to go home.”
Making his sixth appearance in the UFC, Chimaev has already become one of the most talked-about athletes in the sport.
Having burst on to the scene during the inaugural Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, he ploughed through a number of opponents before facing his first real test last time out, against Gilbert Burns in April.
That Fight of the Year Contender, which Chimaev won by unanimous decision, came six months following his long-awaited comeback – he suffered badly from Covid-19 – at UFC 267 in the UAE capital last October.
On whether he felt the magnitude of headlining a Vegas card this weekend, Chimaev said: “All moments in UFC are big moments for me. It feels amazing I’m fighting Nate Diaz. One of the guys who has been, like, 15 years in the UFC.
“One of the legends. Maybe it’s his last fight. Who knows. I’m happy.”
As for what happens when the octagon door closes come fight night, Chimaev said: “I’m going to go take his head off. I come here, don’t take the points and play the games. I come here to smash somebody and take his head.”
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: JAP Almahfuz, Fernando Jara (jockey), Irfan Ellahi (trainer).
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Momtaz, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,400m
Winner: Yaalail, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh180,000 1,600m
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Dahess D’Arabie, Fernando Jara, Helal Al Alawi.
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2.200m
Winner: Ezz Al Rawasi, Connor Beasley, Helal Al Alawi.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MATCH SCHEDULE
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tuesday, April 24 (10.45pm)
Liverpool v Roma
Wednesday, April 25
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid (10.45pm)
Europa League semi-final, first leg
Thursday, April 26
Arsenal v Atletico Madrid (11.05pm)
Marseille v Salzburg (11.05pm)
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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