Nate Diaz ‘needs a MIRACLE’ against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279
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Nate Diaz ‘needs a MIRACLE’ against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279, but American’s ‘X-factor’ could help spring stunning upset, claims Li Jingliang
- Nate Diaz is taking on Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC 279
- Stockton fighter is regarded as a massive underdog against unbeaten phenom
- Li Jingliang went as far as to say that Diaz will need a miracle for victory
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Nate Diaz ‘needs a miracle’ if he is to avoid defeat by undefeated phenom Khamzat Chimaev, according to Li Jingliang.
The Chinese star knows exactly what Chimaev is capable of having finished him within one round of their fight this year.
Many feel as though Diaz, who wants to leave the UFC when his contract expires after the contest, is being thrown to the wolves.
Khamzat Chimaev (right) came through a brutal fight against Gilbert Burns
![Nate Diaz 'needs a MIRACLE' against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279 2 Nate Diaz is the underdog for his UFC 279 headliner with Chimaev next month](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/1661959465_833_Nate-Diaz-needs-a-MIRACLE-against-Khamzat-Chimaev-at-UFC.jpg)
Nate Diaz is the underdog for his UFC 279 headliner with Chimaev next month
Jingliang says the Stockton fighter almost needs some kind of divine intervention to win, but did add that you can always expect the unexpected with the American.
He told the MMA Hour: ‘What we really need is a miracle, is a surprise in the fight, and I believe Nate Diaz is the guy that can give you this.
‘I can’t give you a number about the chance [Diaz will win], but we all know based on the statistics and the data, Khamzat is the favorite Nate is the underdog.
He added: ‘Another big X-factor is Nate Diaz is Nate Diaz — you don’t know what happens if the fight goes to the fifth round and the last minute and last seconds if you fight with Nate Diaz.
![Nate Diaz 'needs a MIRACLE' against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279 4 Li Jingliang (bottom) was submitted in the first round of his fight with Chimaev](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/1661959465_705_Nate-Diaz-needs-a-MIRACLE-against-Khamzat-Chimaev-at-UFC.jpg)
Li Jingliang (bottom) was submitted in the first round of his fight with Chimaev
If Diaz was to upset Chimaev, it would be a huge turn up for the books but Jingliang pointed to Leon Edwards’ stunning win over Kamaru Usman as a recent example of the unpredictable nature of MMA.
‘I said to my boxing coach before that fight, I think Leon has a chance to knock out Kamaru Usman — and then what happens in the fight? Jingliang continued.
‘We all know Kamaru Usman is a very well-rounded fighter, but I think most people underestimate how good Leon is at striking, and like I said, anything can happen at any moment in this sport.’
Jingliang will be taking on Tony Ferguson in the co-main event of UFC 279 on October 10 before Chimaev and Diaz take centre stage.
It has the makings of a sensational card at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. If Diaz could pull one last trick from his sleeve, it would be a fitting closing chapter to his storied UFC career.
![Nate Diaz 'needs a MIRACLE' against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279 6 Nate Diaz has been desperate for a fight and wants to leave the UFC when his contract is up](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/1661959465_860_Nate-Diaz-needs-a-MIRACLE-against-Khamzat-Chimaev-at-UFC.jpg)
Nate Diaz has been desperate for a fight and wants to leave the UFC when his contract is up