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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Nolan King

‘Fight game is wild’: Twitter reacts to new UFC 279 main card matchups

UFC 279 looks totally different than it did 48 hours ago.

In MMA, seasoned followers have learned to expect the unexpected. Yet still, surprises come, as was the case Friday during weigh-ins when Khamzat Chimaez showed up nearly eight pounds over the welterweight limit.

The weigh-in issue resulted in a shuffle of matchups, including a new main event of Nate Diaz vs. Tony Ferguson – five rounds. The co-main event is now a grudge match between Chimaev and Kevin Holland – five rounds. Additionally, a bout between Li Jingliang and Daniel Rodriguez at a 180-pound contract weight serves as the featured bout.

Dana White announced the news on Instagram Live one hour before ceremonial faceoffs.

UFC 279 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile with the main card on ESPN+ pay-per-view after prelims on ESPNNews and ESPN+.

Scroll below to see what the MMA community had to say about the unusual UFC 279 main card opponent shuffle.

Dana White

Luke Thomas

Matthew Wells

Mike Bohn

Nolan King

Jeff Molina

Belal Muhammad

Johnny Munoz

Jon Anik

Cody Brundage

Billy Quarantillo

Marcelo Rojo

Joe Solecki

Derek Brunson

Daniel Cormier

Josh Thomson

Megan Olivi

Li Jingliang

Brett Okamoto

Dan Ige

Lerone Murphy

Matt Frevola

Manager Tim Simpson

Kai Kamaka III

Dan Tom

Charles Johnson

Darren Till

Michael Chiesa

Ben Askren

Kevin Iole

Ben Fowlkes

Phil Baroni

David Michaud

Fabio Cherant

Will Harris

Alexander Volkanovski

Jalin Turner

Kevin Holland

Chad Dundas

Matt Brown and MacMally

Danny Segura

Simon Samano

Caposa

Ode Osbourne

Ricky Simon

Angela Hill

Charles Oliveira

Travis Barker

Uros Medic

Randy Costa

Al Iaquinta

Aleksandar Rakic

Adrian Yanez (via @joeyfights)

Manager Oren Hodak

Mike Jackson

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