The Conspiracy that was UFC 279

Conspiracy theorists are going to have an absolute blast with the latest intallment of the UFC number events. The weigh-in drama that led the the main card being shuffled around, along with the back-stage altercations – which are currently under investigation by the Nevada State Athletic Commission – have cast a shadow on the sport’s pinnacle promotion which could and should have some widespread consequences.

It is the opinion of this writer that the card, as it unfolded, was worse for the fans and better for the fighters?

It was worse for the fans from the perspective that the build-up ended up being far better than the event intself. By all accounts, as sparse as they are, the altercations that interupted the Media Press Conference were, for the most part, more exciting than the overall main card;

• Johnny Walker’s 1st Rnd submission of Ion Cutelaba followed by his breakdancing showed that some habits die hard, especially if one considers that it was “celebratory breakdancing” that forced Walker out for quite some time due to injury.
• The potential of seeing two “big talkers” go at it inside the octagon amounted to nothing but a brief tumble for Kamzat Chimaev, who showed what focused will and determination can achieve with his utter humiliation of Kevin Holland and adding yet another fight to his growing tally – now 4 – of fights in the UFC without absorbing a single strike!
• Then there was that main event whgich seemed destined to end with Diaz winning by submission in what suddenly became dubbed a “Battle of the OG’s”. With all the action taking place on the feet until early in the 4^thround, it was at exactly 2:09 that Diaz was able to end the fight and in so doing, draw the curtain on what has become a cult-like career in the UFC.

Other notable mentions:

Fans were not entirely dissappointed as Irene Aldana served up a 3rd round heel liver-kick KO when it appeared that she was about to lose that fight.

LI got robbed! If you missed the card then you missed watching a daylight robbery in progress!

Final thoughts:

Not to sure what to make of the Diaz 🆚 Ferguson fight.

Tony was terrible!

Nate getting the finish in that fashion reminds me of an old clip of Nate as a youngster getting a very similar submission.

I am not a a full-blown conspiracy theorist but….

Kamzat not making weight and then just acting like a gangster about it saying he “doesn’t care” meant fans got to see a fight between Ferguson and Diaz.

The announcement of Real Fight Inc (Diaz’ new promotion that Connor couldn’t even get going) was an intersting segue and if you were a betting man, put some cash down on the Notorius Fight Club being announced real soon.

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