UFC reportedly books Diaz vs. Chimaev for Sept. 10

Khamzat Chimaev is set for main event in September. David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

UFC reportedly books Nate Diaz vs. Khamzat Chimaev for Sept. 10

By Adam Stites | Last updated 7/19/22

Nate Diaz will finally make his return in September for what appears likely to be his final UFC fight. ESPN's Brett Okamoto reported Tuesday that Diaz has been booked to face rising contender Khamzat Chimaev.

Despite no championship belt being on the line in the bout, Diaz and Chimaev will reportedly be the five-round main event of UFC 279 on Sept. 10.

Diaz, 37, repeatedly requested his release from the UFC this year with one fight left on his contract. Last week, he said in an appearance on "The MMA Hour" that he's being "held hostage" by the UFC, and his sole priority is fighting one more time so he can leave the promotion.

In his return to the Octagon, Diaz faces a tough test in Chimaev, an undefeated fighter who's third in the UFC welterweight rankings. Chimaev began his career with four dominant, one-sided victories before outlasting former title challenger Gilbert Burns in a close battle in April.

Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) provided this comment about the fight to ESPN. Translated from Swedish by his representative Majdi Shammas.

"I am going to handle Nate Diaz's funeral with the UFC."
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) July 19, 2022

Chimaev and Diaz have been a rumored matchup for months with UFC president Dana White discussing the possibility as far back as November 2021. In December, Diaz confirmed he was offered a fight with Chimaev but said that he told the UFC, "Don't disrespect me like that, trying to offer me a fight with a rookie."

The pair were again rumored as a possible matchup for UFC 276, which happened earlier this month, but no agreement came to fruition.

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