Khamzat Chimaev vs. Nate Diaz and 4 other mismatches the UFC has booked
The UFC prides itself on being the premier MMA organization in the world. UFC President Dana White often boasts about helming the only combat sports promotion that actively schedules matchups that fans clamor for. Unfortunately, despite his claims, that statement is not without holes to poke through.
Mismatches are common throughout all combat sports — some would argue they are even common across all sports. MMA is no exception this trend, so neither is the UFC. While the UFC does not frequently schedule fights between two fighters who shouldn't share an octagon, it would be a lie to say that they never occur.
Case in point, the headline bout scheduled for UFC 279 is Khamzat Chimaev vs. Nate Diaz: a matchup that seems all but impossible for the Stockton legend to win due to his historic vulnerability to wrestlers and his general decline in recent years. Thus, this list examines the fight between Chimaev and Diaz and four other matchups that can be classified as mismatches for one reason or another.
#5. Amanda Nunes vs. Megan Anderson
The women's featherweight division is not the deepest weight class in the promotion, and that is putting it nicely. It was originally founded as the UFC's attempt to accommodate then star-signee Cris Cyborg, as the Brazilian great could not cut down to 135 pounds without risking her own health and ultimately taking away from her potential performances inside the octagon.
Yeah, Amanda Nunes is the 🐐
The Lioness defeats Megan Anderson in the 1st round by submission
(via @ufc)
https://t.co/vGCVZMlhbn
Amanda Nunes shocked the world with her successful attempt at capturing a second title by crushing Cris Cyborg in a first-round knockout that left her foe hunched over with her face planted. 'The Lioness' has twice defend her featherweight title, the latest of which came against Megan Anderson at UFC 259. Now a retired mixed martial artist, Megan Anderson is exceptionally tall and long, even for a featherweight. She stands 6 feet tall with a reach of 72 inches.
Alas, those attributes were of no concern to Amanda Nunes, who tore through her foe in such dominant fashion that Anderson only landed 2 out of 5 strikes en route to being rocked and submitted within 2 minutes of the first round. Despite everything the UFC did to generate interest in the bout, when both women locked horns inside the octagon, Anderson looked as outmatched as any fighter ever.