Mayhem, confusion and violence.

That is what encapsulated and surrounded UFC 279 on Saturday. 

A backstage brawl launched the insanity at the press conference on Thursday when the intended headliner and highly-touted prospect Khamzat Chimaev had a heated altercation with fan-favorite Kevin Holland. The two camps apparently had more people in their entourages than were intended, and a war of words quickly turned into a physical altercation between the two welterweights. Then, Chimaev’s intended opponent Nate Diaz got involved and water bottles and fists were flying backstage. For the first time in the history of the company, a pre-fight press conference was canceled. 

Things only got crazier at the ceremonial weigh-ins the next day, with the up and coming Chimaev remarkably weighing in almost eight pounds over the allowed limit. The top three fights on the main card were all scheduled to be fought at 170 pounds in the welterweight division: Kevin Holland versus Daniel Rodriguez, Tony Ferguson versus Li Jingliang for the co-main event and Khamzat Chimaev versus Nate Diaz for the main event of the evening. However, due to Chimaev’s failed attempt at making weight, the card was rearranged. Chimaev would now square off against Holland, Rodriguez would take on Jingliang at catchweight (180 pounds) and Diaz would fight Ferguson as the main event. 

Ion Cutelaba and Johnny Walker kicked off the action on the main card with a one round contest that went to the Brazilian underdog, Walker. Cutelaba pushed the pace early and eventually secured a takedown on Walker. A scramble then ensued with Walker eventually getting Cutelaba’s back and securing a rear naked choke that forced the Moldovan to tap, improving Walker’s record to 19-7. 

Irene Aldana and Macy Chiasson then squared off in a highly anticipated bantamweight fight that was predicted to have a massive impact on the future of the women’s division. The bout was a back and forth affair, but it was the Mexican Aldana who came out on top. A scramble saw her throw an upkick from her back which landed right on the liver of Chiasson and forced a stoppage. With the champion of the women’s 135 pound division Amanda Nunes waiting for new challengers, Aldana seems to be an intriguing matchup for the consensus GOAT. When asked about the potential matchup, UFC President Dana White said, “We love Aldana … we don’t make fights the night of a fight but what a way to finish.” 

The third fight on the main card, Li Jingliang vs Daniel Rodriguez, was a close but not too action packed bout that featured heavy kickboxing. It was Rodriguez who would get the victory nod via split decision, much to the chagrin of fans who believed Jingliang had done enough to secure the victory. 

The highly awaited return of the undefeated Chimaev lived up to expectations, as he finished a legitimate contender in Kevin Holland in just two minutes and 13 seconds. The Chechnian absolutely smothered Holland, securing a takedown right off the bat. Holland tried to escape Chimaev’s grasp but eventually succumbed to a brabo choke. The two traded words and blows before the press conference on Thursday, but shared an embrace and seemed to have squashed the beef after the fight. 

However, in his post fight press conference, Chimaev embraced the villain role further after he was showered with boos. An animated Chimaev screamed, “I’m coming for everybody, I’ll kill everybody.” This is a familiar sentiment after his fights, as this is the second time that Chimaev has made such threats. When asked about where Khamzat is in the eyes of the company, Dana White mentioned that he was an incredible talent, but probably had more of a future at 185 pounds due to the failed weight cut. A Paulo Costa matchup could be on the horizon after the two had an altercation at the UFC performance center, but only time will tell. 

Finally, the highly anticipated main event lived up to expectations. Nate Diaz defeated Tony Ferguson via fourth round submission in a classic back and forth affair. Both veterans looked like they were having fun in the cage and it was a fitting send off for the legend, Diaz, who seemed to be getting the better of the standup in the first three rounds. As a response, Ferguson’s corner called for him to use his superior wrestling to his advantage. When Ferguson shot for the takedown, Diaz countered and secured a guillotine that forced a tap for the first time in his career. After the fight, Diaz said, “[I] wanted to get out of the UFC for a minute and show UFC fighters how to take over another sport, [because] Conor McGregror didn’t know how to.” Could the highly anticipated trilogy between the two megastars happen in the boxing ring? Only time will tell.