Ferguson was scheduled to face Li Jingliang in the penultimate bout of UFC 279. Instead, the longtime title contender

Nate Diaz will take on fellow veteran welterweight Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 after Khamzat Chimaev badly missed weight for his main-event showdown with Diaz.

The top three fights on the pay-per-view card were shuffled because of Chimaev's failed weight cut Friday, but all six fighters will still compete Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena.

Dana White Announces Nate Diaz, Tony Ferguson Will Headline UFC 279

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Hours after Khamzat Chimaev failed to make weight at Friday’s official weigh-ins, UFC president Dana White has announced a major shakeup to the main card of UFC 279.

Diaz (21–13, 15–11 UFC) and Ferguson (25–7) will compete in a five-round 170-pound bout after weighing in at 171 and 170.5 pounds, respectively.

Breaking: New UFC 279 Card 📷 - Nate Diaz vs Tony Ferguson - Khamzat Chimaev vs Kevin Holland - Li Jinglian vs Daniel Rodriguez

UFC 279 is scheduled to take place Sept. 10 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with the main card streaming live on ESPN+ pay-per-view beginning at 10 p.m. ET