JAKARTA - Nate Diaz will fight Khamzat Chimaev in the final fight of his UFC contract after which the veteran boxer is free to sign with whoever he wants.
Although the contract has not yet been signed, according to ESPN there is already a verbal agreement for this duel.
Previously, Diaz had chosen what and who would be his farewell battle. There was talk of multiple opponents, like McGregor or Poirier, but nothing materialized.
To the extent that the man from California posted a photo on his social network urinating outside the UFC facility.
He wanted to immediately seal something against the top ten fighters, whether it was just as a contract breaker. Meanwhile, Dana White suggests Chimaev, something Diaz doesn't like.
"There is a level here, and I don't even want my name to be associated with him," Diaz said.
In the end, White did what he wanted and at UFC 279 an icon like Diaz could walk away after facing one of the rising stars. In cases like this, when a prominent media personality leaves the company, they are usually expelled with great struggle.
There are many who think Diaz will die against a formidable opponent like Chimaev. Some even thought Diaz was in danger, as was said of Muhammad Ali in boxing before he faced Sonny Liston.
Former UFC commentator Dan Hardy is one observer who believes the organization is unfair and even dangerous.
"I think we're getting to a point where someone has to start thinking about filing a lawsuit," Hardy told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour.
"This doesn't feel like a fair fight. It feels like a very, very cruel thing to do against someone who is a legitimate legend. Since they have spoken out against the organization, they will be executed live on TV.
"That's what it feels like, and it makes me uncomfortable to think that's how it's going to be."
Hardy continued, he just hoped the event would run smoothly without any major incidents. He thought this was a bad display for the UFC.
"I hope, really hope, that Nate can at least get through it well, but after seeing what Khamzat did to Rhys McKee and John Phillips - yes, of course, Nate has good jiu-jitsu, but there comes a point where jiu-jitsu beaten by good wrestling," said Hardy.
“It happened in the early days of the UFC, and it would have happened against Nate if it hit the floor. I thought he was going to lose and I think he was beaten horribly from the top spot. I think it's going to be uncomfortable to watch, and I think it's going to leave the UFC in a very, very bad state.
"I just hope Nate gets through it well, because I think he has a good chance outside the UFC. Too bad they're going to make this assassination attempt on him before he leaves."
Chimaev, meanwhile, described the fight as a "funeral" for Diaz.
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