UFC 279: Diaz vs. Ferguson Full Fight Card, Date & Details
UFC 279: Diaz vs. Ferguson
United States
Main Card • Final
R4, 2:52
Performance of the Night
United Arab Emirates
R1, 2:13
R3, 5:00
China
Mexico
R3, 2:21
Performance of the Night
Brazil
R1, 4:37
Performance of the Night
Moldova
Prelims • Final
R3, 5:00
Canada
R1, 4:27
Performance of the Night
Sweden
Russia
R2, 4:52
Spain
R2, 2:24
Early Prelims • Final
R3, 5:00
R3, 5:00
R3, 5:00
R3, 5:00
Official Event Results
$50k Bonus
$50k Bonus
Official Post-Fight Bonus Awards
$50,000 Post-Fight Bonus Recipients
Fight of the Night: No bonus awarded.
Performance of the Night: Nate Diaz, Irene Aldana, Johnny Walker, and Jailton Almeida each earned $50,000 for their dramatic stoppage performances inside the Octagon.
Reported Payouts & Disclosed Purses
Fighter Purses & Total Payout Estimates
| Fighter | Result | Base Purse | Win / Finish Bonus | Performance Bonus | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WIN | $500,000 | — | $50,000 | $550,000 | |
| LOSS | $500,000 | — | — | $500,000 | |
| WIN | $100,000 | $100,000 | — | $200,000 | |
| LOSS | $150,000 | — | — | $150,000 | |
| WIN | $75,000 | $75,000 | — | $150,000 | |
| LOSS | $80,000 | — | — | $80,000 | |
| WIN | $50,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 | $150,000 | |
| LOSS | $45,000 | — | — | $45,000 | |
| WIN | $80,000 | $80,000 | $50,000 | $210,000 | |
| LOSS | $50,000 | — | — | $50,000 | |
| WIN | $35,000 | $35,000 | — | $70,000 | |
| LOSS | $40,000 | — | — | $40,000 | |
| WIN | $24,000 | $24,000 | $50,000 | $98,000 | |
| LOSS | $12,000 | — | — | $12,000 | |
| WIN | $12,000 | $12,000 | — | $24,000 | |
| LOSS | $20,000 | — | — | $20,000 | |
| WIN | $20,000 | $20,000 | — | $40,000 | |
| LOSS | $30,000 | — | — | $30,000 | |
| WIN | $30,000 | $30,000 | — | $60,000 | |
| LOSS | $12,000 | — | — | $12,000 | |
| WIN | $20,000 | $20,000 | — | $40,000 | |
| LOSS | $12,000 | — | — | $12,000 | |
| WIN | $16,000 | $16,000 | — | $32,000 | |
| LOSS | $12,000 | — | — | $12,000 | |
| WIN | $12,000 | $12,000 | — | $24,000 | |
| LOSS | $12,000 | — | — | $12,000 |
*Official fighter purse amounts are not publicly disclosed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) for this card. Figures shown reflect contractual baselines and reliable industry estimates. Total estimated sums include official post-fight performance bonus awards ($50,000 each) awarded to Nate Diaz, Irene Aldana, Johnny Walker, and Jailton Almeida. Hakeem Dawodu (30%) and Chris Barnett (20%) forfeited a percentage of their purses to their opponents due to weigh-in misses.
Historic UFC Records Set
Promotional Records Established at UFC 279
UFC 279 set the promotional all-time record with six bouts held outside standard weight divisions (four contracted catchweights and two weigh-in misses), surpassing the previous mark of five from UFC Fight Night 121.
The event became the first in UFC history to feature four distinct pre-agreed catchweight limits on a single card (140 lbs, 180 lbs twice, and 220 lbs), breaking all previous records.
Irene Aldana made promotional history by delivering the first knockout finish via an upkick to the body (liver) from the guard against Macy Chiasson at 2:21 of Round 3.
With his fourth-round guillotine choke of Tony Ferguson, Nate Diaz recorded his 9th UFC submission victory, tying Gerald Meerschaert for the fifth-most submissions in company history.
Nate Diaz’s submission victory at 2:52 of Round 4 marked the latest stoppage win across his legendary 15-year, 27-fight career inside the UFC Octagon.
Nate Diaz took home his 16th career post-fight bonus award, solidifying his spot among the top three bonus earners in UFC history alongside Donald Cerrone and Charles Oliveira.
Khamzat Chimaev submitted Kevin Holland via D’Arce choke in just 2:13 of Round 1 without absorbing a single strike, remaining completely untouched across four of his first six UFC appearances.
Following a 7.5-pound weight miss by Khamzat Chimaev, UFC 279 became the first card in company history where the top three scheduled pay-per-view matchups were completely restructured inside 24 hours.
Jailton Almeida extended his flawless promotional run by recording his third consecutive first-round stoppage inside the Octagon, tapping Anton Turkalj at 4:27 of Round 1.
Despite chaotic fight-week cancellations and card changes, UFC 279 produced a massive $5,670,271.86 live gate with a capacity crowd of 19,125 fans in Paradise, Nevada.
Known as a knockout artist with three sub-minute KOs, Johnny Walker earned his first submission victory inside the Octagon by choking out Ion Cutelaba in the opening frame.
After getting dropped and severely damaged in Round 1, heavyweight Chris Barnett staged a thrilling second-round ground-and-pound TKO rally over Jake Collier.
When and where did UFC 279: Diaz vs. Ferguson take place?
UFC 279: Diaz vs. Ferguson took place on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area.
Who won the main event between Nate Diaz and Tony Ferguson?
Nate Diaz defeated Tony Ferguson via submission (guillotine choke) at 2:52 of Round 4 in their featured five-round welterweight headliner.
Why was the UFC 279 card completely rearranged on weigh-in day?
Original headliner Khamzat Chimaev weighed in at 178.5 pounds, missing the non-title welterweight limit by 7.5 pounds. The UFC restructured the top of the card: Nate Diaz was matched with Tony Ferguson, Chimaev faced Kevin Holland in a catchweight co-main event, and Li Jingliang faced Daniel Rodriguez.
Who won the co-main event between Khamzat Chimaev and Kevin Holland?
Khamzat Chimaev defeated Kevin Holland via submission (D’Arce choke) at 2:13 of Round 1 at a 180-pound catchweight without absorbing a single strike.
Who received post-fight bonus awards at UFC 279?
Four fighters received $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses: Nate Diaz, Irene Aldana, Johnny Walker, and Jailton Almeida. No Fight of the Night bonus was awarded.
What made Irene Aldana’s knockout of Macy Chiasson historic?
Irene Aldana delivered the first-ever knockout finish in UFC history via an upkick to the body, landing a heel strike to Macy Chiasson’s liver from the bottom position at 2:21 of Round 3.
What was the attendance and live gate for UFC 279?
UFC 279 drew an official capacity crowd of 19,125 fans generating a live gate of $5,670,271.86 at the T-Mobile Arena.
Who won the catchweight fight between Daniel Rodriguez and Li Jingliang?
Daniel Rodriguez defeated Li Jingliang via split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) in their short-notice 180-pound catchweight clash.
Which fighters missed weight at UFC 279?
Khamzat Chimaev weighed in at 178.5 lbs (7.5 lbs over the welterweight limit), Hakeem Dawodu weighed in at 149.5 lbs (3.5 lbs over featherweight), and Chris Barnett weighed in at 267.5 lbs (1.5 lbs over heavyweight).
How did Johnny Walker defeat Ion Cutelaba at UFC 279?
Johnny Walker secured his first submission in the UFC by defeating Ion Cutelaba via rear-naked choke at 4:37 of Round 1, earning a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
How did Jailton Almeida finish Anton Turkalj?
Jailton Almeida controlled Anton Turkalj on the canvas before locking in a rear-naked choke at 4:27 of Round 1 in a 220-pound catchweight bout.
How did Chris Barnett defeat Jake Collier at UFC 279?
After surviving a heavy knockdown in Round 1, fan favorite Chris Barnett rebounded to stop Jake Collier via TKO (punches) at 2:24 of Round 2.
Who called the fights for UFC 279?
The cage-side commentary booth featured play-by-play lead Jon Anik alongside color commentators Joe Rogan and UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier. Bruce Buffer was the Octagon announcer.
Was UFC 279 Nate Diaz’s final fight on his UFC contract?
Yes. The victory over Tony Ferguson fulfilled the final bout on Nate Diaz’s UFC contract, allowing him to enter free agency after 15 years with the promotion.
Why was Denis Tiuliulin deducted a point against Jamie Pickett?
Referee Chris Tognoni deducted one point from Denis Tiuliulin in Round 2 following repeated low blows, prior to Tiuliulin securing a TKO finish at 4:52 of the round.
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