UFC 279 weigh-in results: Disastrous session leads to fight card overhaul

LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie was on scene and reporting live from Friday’s official UFC 279 fighter weigh-ins.

The early weigh-ins took place at the UFC host hotel in Las Vegas and precede the ceremonial weigh-ins for the fans, which take place at 4 p.m. ET at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The nearby T-Mobile Arena hosts Saturday’s event, which has a main card on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and early prelims on ESPN+.

The session was a disaster, with multiple fighters missing weight, including planned headliner Khamzat Chimaev (11-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) ahead of his intended bout with Nate Diaz (20-13 MMA, 15-11 UFC), as well as multiple undercard fighters.

The fallout of the session saw the promotion retool the card, with Diaz now facing Tony Ferguson in a five-round main event, Chimaev taking on Kevin Holland in a five-round co-main event, and Li Jingliang facing Daniel Rodriguez in a 180-pound catchweight.

Nate Diaz makes weight

The Stockton slugger hit 171 pounds in what could be his final UFC weigh-in.#UFC279 | Full results: https://t.co/zlhk1atufg pic.twitter.com/bxUtDFoZO1

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) September 9, 2022

Khamzat Chimaev just missed weight by a whopping 7.5 POUNDS for the #UFC279 main event, leaving his fight vs. Nate Diaz in limbo.

Full results: https://t.co/zlhk1atufg pic.twitter.com/MpFo9BLhEk

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) September 9, 2022

The full UFC 279 weigh-in results include:

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)

• Nate Diaz (171) vs. Tony Ferguson (171)
• Khamzat Chimaev (178.5)* vs. Kevin Holland (179.5) – 180-pound catchweight
• Li Jingliang (170.5) vs. Daniel Rodriguez (179) – 180-pound catchweight
• Irene Aldana (137.5) vs. Macy Chiasson (139.5) – 140-pound catchweight
• Ion Cutelaba (205.5) vs. Johnny Walker (205)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPNews/ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)

• Hakeem Dawodu (149.5)** vs. Julian Erosa (146)
• Jailton Almeida (216.5) vs. Anton Turkalj (214) – 220-pound catchweight
• Jamie Pickett (185.5) vs. Denis Tiuliulin (186)
• Chris Barnett (267.5)*** vs. Jake Collier (265)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)

• Norma Dumont (146) vs. Danyelle Wolf (146)
• Heili Alateng (135) vs. Chad Anheliger (135.5)
• Melissa Martinez (113.5) vs. Elise Reed (115.5)
• Yohan Lainesse (171) vs. Darian Weeks (170.5)

* Chimaev misses welterweight by 7.5 pounds; no fine given due to opponent change
* Dawodu misses featherweight by 3.5 pounds; fined 30 percent of purse
* Barnett misses heavyweight by 1.5 pounds; fined 20 percent of purse