Nate Diaz 209 (Credits: Home of Fight IG)
Nate Diaz – the man from USA 209, put on a brilliant showing in the main event of UFC 279 against Tony Ferguson
A wild turn of events a couple of days in the lead-up to Khamzat Chimaev vs Nate Diaz at UFC 279 saw a major reshuffling in the main card.
A backstage brawl between Chimaev and Kevin Holland just before the pre-fight presser saw the presser being cancelled. A massive weight miss from ‘The Borz’ the following day led to Diaz taking on veteran Tony Ferguson in the main event, and Chimaev facing Holland in the co-main.
Keeping up his high pace throughout the fight, Diaz emerged the more efficient and pacier striker, busting up Ferguson’s orbital bones.
With 2 minutes and 8 seconds left in the clock in the fourth round, Diaz finished Ferguson by submission via. guillotine choke to mark his 21st win.
MMA fans jumped on to Diaz’s finish a second earlier, counting it as 2 minutes and 09 seconds – the area code (209) of Stockton (Diaz’s hometown).
Here are a few reactions to Diaz finishing apparently with “209” on the clock.
Nate Diaz announced in the post-fight interview that he would not be renewing his UFC contract and will instead be chasing new disciplines (boxing, kickboxing, you name it!). He also started Real Fight Inc. his own fight promotion.
However, he did state that he would be back inside the Octagon if all his planned ventures pan out successfully.
With these in mind, one can expect a trilogy against Conor McGregor sometime in the future. A boxing showdown against Jake Paul cannot be written off as well.
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