LAS VEGAS — To paraphrase that renowned philosopher, UFC president Dana White, fight week for UFC 279 has been a “sh*t show” from start to finish, mostly thanks to Khamzat Chimaev.
On Thursday, Chimaev put his fight that was scheduled for the main event against Nate Diaz in jeopardy when he allegedly threw a front kick at fellow fighter Kevin Holland. That started a brawl, causing White to cancel the news conference.
On Friday, Chimaev missed weight by 7.5 pounds.
The entire card could have been canceled because of Chimaev’s failure to make weight, but what White, UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell, and matchmakers Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard pulled off was borderline miraculous.