Nate Diaz opens as massive underdog against Khamzat Chimaev for UFC 279
UFC fan favorite Nate Diaz opened up as a massive underdog against rising welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev for their fight at UFC 279.
Shortly after the fight was announced as the main event of UFC 279, BetOnline released the opening line for Diaz vs. Chimaev, and it’s a wide line. Chimaev opened up as a -1100 betting favorite (bet $1100 to win $100), while Diaz opened up as a +775 betting underdog (bet $100 to win $775).
Here are the opening odds for Nate Diaz vs. Khamzat Chimaev:
Nate Diaz +775 (31/4)
Khamzat Chimaev -1100 (1/11)(odds via @betonline_ag) 👀 #UFC279 pic.twitter.com/aZOWXFlZiu
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) July 19, 2022
Although at first glance it seems like a high opening line, the early money has actually come in on Chimaev, and BetOnline pegged him as a -2000 betting favorite just one day after the betting odds were released, with Diaz as a +1000 betting underdog. Clearly, the betting public has no faith in Diaz in this matchup, and the books know that as well, which is why this betting line for the fight is so high.
Chimaev, after all, is just 28 years old and in his prime. Since joining the UFC in 2020, he has taken the promotion by storm with five straight wins. In his last outing, he defeated Gilbert Burns in one of the best fights in 2022 thus far. He also has notable wins over Li Jingliang and Gerald Meerschaert on his resume. Overall, Chimaev looks to be every part of a future UFC champion, and now he gets a five-round main event to show off his skills against one of the most popular fighters in the sport in the form of Diaz.
The former Ultimate Fighter winner, Diaz is now 37 years old and this is the final fight of his UFC contract. We have not seen Diaz fight since June 2021 when he lost a five-round decision to Leon Edwards. Prior to that, he lost to Jorge Masvidal, and dating back the last five years, his only victory is over Anthony Pettis. Still, Diaz is extremely tough, and his toughness alone should make for an interesting matchup against Chimaev, although the odds suggest that he doesn’t have much of a shot in this fight.
Who will you put your money on in this UFC welterweight fight between Nate Diaz and Khamzat Chimaev?
