2022 Saw new stars emerge and legends bow out of the sport they love. Perhaps the most notable of the bunch is the Exit of UFC fan favorite Nate Diaz. The fight week leading up to UFC 279 in september was possibly the craziest week of the year. The week began w/ a Main Event of Nate Diaz Vs. Khamzet Chimaev and a Co Main Event of Tony Ferguson Vs. Li Jingliang. Thursday saw the Official Press conference get canceled moments after it was to begin after a backstage dust up featuring Nate Diaz, his entourage and Khamzet Chimaev w/ his crew. Not to be left out Kevin Holland also got in on the fun. This led to Dana White stepping to the podium with the words “This has never been done before but we have to cancel the press conference, I’m Sorry”.
Enter Friday and all hell broke loose when Chimaev missed weight by over 5 pounds. Diaz decided this was unprofessional and opted not to fight the up and comer in the main event leading to all out confusion.
In another first the 3 main bouts were all switched up w/ the new lineup of Daniel Rodriguez vs. Li Jingliang, Kevin Holland Vs. Chimaev in a catchweight bout and the main event turned into Nate Diaz Vs. Tony Ferguson in a fight that ironically was one the UFC Fans had been asking for.
In the end Diaz would Submit Tony (a feat nobody had ever accomplished) in the fourth round in what was the last bout on Diaz’s contract. During his post fight interview he thanked the fans, the UFC and didn’t rule out a return in the future but for now he would like to go test the waters elsewhere and try to “Take over another sport”. Thus ending a 15 year Tenure in the organization.

Diaz Steps away from the UFC w/ a 16-11 Record. He was the headliner on 4 fight nights including a bout vying for the Lightweight Championship. He is the first man to Finish Conor McGregor in the UFC. Headlined 4 Pay Per Views, fought in the first 5 Round Non Title bout in the history of the Organization. He was featured on 11 Pay Per View cards. He was only finished one time and holds victories over names such as McGregor, Gray Maynard, Anthony Pettis, Cowboy Cerrone, Takanori Gomi and More…