With fireworks before UFC 279, welterweight Nate Diaz is still long-shot for storybook ending

It doesn’t matter that Nate Diaz has never been a UFC champion or that he has 13 losses on his record.

If one fighter could ever be  completely embody the fearless, rebellious, bloodthirsty spirit of the sport, it is the Stockton, California product who has never wavered in maintaining his authentic — and endearing — personality.

So, the fact that his UFC contract closes Saturday night in a daunting UFC 279 main event against unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev (11-0) seems an inappropriate exit for the 37-year-old.

A smashing striker with lethal grappling skill, Chimaev told “TheMacLife” last month, “I can smash this guy (Diaz), easy.”

On Wednesday, Diaz, Chimaev and other UFC 279 participants were reportedly involved in an incident backstage, which disrupted the scheduled pre-fight press conference.

“The Diaz camp showed up with 57 people. Khamzat’s team had 30-something people. Then you had multiple guys going on back here. It was crazy," UFC president Dana White said. "It was absolutely nuts back here. … You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out where this whole press conference was headed.”

White said the incident will not jeopardize the fights at this time, but he did mention added security for Thursday's ceremonial weigh-ins and face-offs.

Khamzat Chimaev (-1200) vs. Nate Diaz (+650) — welterweights

Third-ranked welterweight fighter Nate Diaz has more than sheer ability going for him. His apparent distaste and disinterest in the matchup against Chimaev — which he views as an opportunity for the UFC to prop up the name value of a gifted future champion — could mean a grisly outcome, according to MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn.

“I think it’s going to be a mauling,” Bohn said. “Nate is talking like he doesn’t want to be here. 'Go ahead and beat me.' And it seems like he wants this to be over and on his way out.”

The oddsmakers foresee the same, with Tipico Sportsbook setting Chimaev as a -1200 favorite and Diaz as the +650 underdog.

In an ESPN interview this week, Diaz described the UFC as a “machine” intent to identify the next “best” fighter.

“What they’ve got me doing right now is they’re acting like I called for this fight, which I didn’t … and still don’t want. Pressure’s on him because he’s the next killer in town. They’re saying he’s the best in town. If I whip his (rear), they’re going to say, ‘Oh, he wasn’t the best in town … .’ This fight’s not about this guy. It’s about making this guy. … (Expletive) them. (Expletive) everybody.”

SPORTS BETTING: NFL Week 1 odds: Moneylines, point spreads, over/under for every game

Diaz, who once puffed smoke from a vape pen following the second of his two fights against Conor McGregor, would’ve been better feted against a rival who creates a more competitive and mutually destructive affair.

Bohn keenly suggested the likes of co-main-event fighter Tony Ferguson, Dustin Poirier or Jorge Masvidal.

With Diaz headed out the door, a trilogy date with McGregor could have poetically sent both legends to retirement.

Their first bout, when McGregor agreed to move up in weight to take on the last-minute replacement Diaz in UFC 196, was a classic.

One of MMA’s best strikers, Diaz, shrugged off a hellacious cut at the right eye and landed heavy hands on the charismatic Irishman, then found McGregor on the ground to submit him by chokehold.

The rematch, six years ago, might’ve been the best fight in UFC history. McGregor emerged with a victory by decision.

RELATED: UFC star Conor McGregor joins cast of 'Road House' remake

“Conor only has two fights left on his contract, so maybe they can do (the trilogy) outside the UFC under their own promotions without having to pay the UFC its 80%,” Bohn said.

Imagine it: Diaz delivers the double middle fingers to his foe at the start, absorbs and delivers heavy punishment, pours out some final ounces of blood onto the canvas and delivers another memorable finish, rising in conquest to the cheering thousands in Las Vegas.

A cornerman hands him something lit. He takes a few puffs, tosses it to the mat before extinguishing it with his bare foot and leaves the arena as a permanent legend.

Instead, the 2007 "The Ultimate Fighter" champion will fight Chimaev. Tipico set the over/under for rounds at 1.5 for a fight scheduled for five.

The pick: Chimaev by third-round TKO.

Li Jingliang (-340) vs. Tony Ferguson (+250) — welterweights

With the second-most knockouts in UFC welterweight history behind Matt Brown, China’s Jingliang is a lethal striker seeking to inflict more punishment upon the former top lightweight contender who was crushed by a Michael Chandler knockout earlier this year.

“I didn’t think we’d see (Ferguson) fight again for a year,” Bohn said. “He’d be foolish to stand in front of this guy.”

Bohn also questions Ferguson’s move up in weight as he endures a four-fight losing streak. Does he have the punching power to shake Jingliang? Does he possess the strength to take him down?

The pick: Jingliang by second-round knockout.

Kevin Holland (-195) vs. Daniel Rodriguez (+165) — catchweight

A bout made on short notice has brought needed depth to the card, and Bohn views it as the “biggest coin-toss" fight of the ESPN+ pay-per-view portion.

Rodriguez is riding a three-fight win streak but is coming off a hand injury. Holland comes from a solid team and has dangerous hands.

The pick: Holland by unanimous decision, with over 2.5 rounds at -112.

No. 4 Irene Aldana (-175) vs. No. 10 Macy Chiasson (+150) — women’s bantamweights

The value of Chiasson is worth exploring, Bohn contends.

“She’s from a good team (Fortis MMA in Dallas) and has been on a roll while, with Aldana, I’m just not sure where she’s at,” he said. “She lost convincingly to Holly Holm, has been off 14 months, had COVID bad and some injuries.”

The coronavirus battle impacted Aldana’s cardio, and fight-night cardio tests are rigorous.

“So there’s good reason to go with the underdog,” Bohn said. “Aldana has good boxing, and her best version wins this fight. But you just don’t know how she is.”

The pick: Chiasson by decision.

Johnny Walker (+165) vs. Ion Cutealba (-195) — light-heavyweights

The bloom is off Walker. He moves to McGregor’s camp, working under John Kavanagh, prompting Bohn to wonder how Walker’s brawling style will mesh with a more technical approach.

It’s Cutealba’s do-or-die approach that nudges Bohn to suggest the under 1.5 rounds (-165) here.

“He has one gear: Go forward to try to take your head off, so it’s about whoever lands first,” he said.

The pick: Under 1.5 rounds.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UFC 279 Nate Diaz vs. Khamzat Chimaev odds, predictions for fight card