5 things Nate Diaz needs to do against Khamzat Chimaev

This Saturday, UFC 279 will take place with Nate Diaz crossing paths with Khamzat Chimaev in the headline bout.

The matchup is regarded by experts, fans and even other UFC fighters as a lopsided mismatch in Chimaev's favor. Diaz's struggles against committed wrestlers are well-known. The Stockton legend fights from a traditional boxing stance with most of his weight loaded onto his lead leg, overexposing it to single-leg takedowns.

Khamzat Chimaev, by contrast, is a pressure-based wrestler who fights on the front-foot, relentlessly pursuing takedowns. Many expect 'Borz' to replicate the dominant performances that Rory MacDonald and Rafael dos Anjos enjoyed against Nate Diaz when both men overpowered the one-time UFC title challenger with their wrestling skills.

While Chimaev will likely taste victory this Saturday, there are things Nate Diaz can do to render the bout as difficult as possible for his foe.

Based on the technical differences and stylistic nuances of both fighters, this list aims to outline 5 things that Nate Diaz needs to do against Khamzat Chimaev to trouble 'Borz' as much as he can.

#5. Nate Diaz must use his counter-straight left

There is no denying that Khamzat Chimaev is a naturally gifted striker, least of all due to his pugilistic acumen existing despite his lifelong training as a wrestler. The undefeated Chechen phenom is blessed with monstrous knockout power that he magnifies by maximizing his hip rotation whenever he throws punches.

Furthermore, Chimaev often keeps his lead foot on the outside of his opponent's, aligning his foe's chin with his powerful right hook, which 'Borz' throws closer to his chest to render it a straighter punch than most hooks.

However, Chimaev's preferred punching style means he does not move his head off the center-line. Additionally, in order to land a hook, a fighter must be within range of his opponent's punch, rendering the surging welterweight vulnerable to counters.

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This lines up well with Nate Diaz's brand of counterpunching. Khamzat Chimaev is taller than Diaz by 2 inches, undercutting the Stockton legend's negligible 1-inch reach advantage. While Diaz fights long, Chimaev fights from a much tighter stance that does not make use of his reach. Often-times, Nate Diaz uses his jab to draw out his opponent's counter with the intention of countering their counter. Against Gilbert Burns, 'Borz' unveiled a risky habit.

The Chechen phenom was overzealous in his attempts to return fire after being hit. Diaz typically uses his jab to dupe his foes into trying to counter him over the top with looping punches. He can snipe at Chimaev with a jab to draw out his opponent's counter-right hook, causing the Chechen to unknowingly bring himself into range as he leans away. Diaz can then counter Chimaev's counter-right hook with a straight left as he did when countering Leon Edwards' counter-right hook.