Michael Bisping believes Nate Diaz can’t be counted out despite the fact that Khamzat Chimaev is a massive favourite ahead of their fight next weekend at UFC 279.
Diaz is coming off back to back losses at the hands of Jorge Masvidal and Leon Edwards, who recently won the welterweight title by knocking out Kamaru Usman at UFC 278. The Stockton native’s fight against Chimaev will be the final one on his contract and he doesn’t look keen on signing a new deal with the UFC, as he eyes other opportunities.
Chimaev is a -1100 favourite, with many predicting a terrible night at the office for Diaz, but Bisping believes the UFC veteran shouldn’t be underestimated.
Michael Bisping On Nate Diaz
Speaking on his YouTube channel (as transcribed by MMA Fighting), Bisping said that Diaz has only lost to champions and shouldn’t be counted out despite being the underdog.
“You can’t count out Nate Diaz, let’s be honest,” Bisping said. “More than likely, Chimaev is going to be a gigantic favorite in this fight and I understand that but Nate Diaz has been in there with some of the best.
“The reality is, he’s lost a lot of fights. The 13 losses, it doesn’t sound good. That is almost like kind of getting to journeyman status which sounds offensive but I’m not [trying to be], the man’s been in there with the best of the best. When you look at the people that he lost to, they’re all champions. They’re all top of the food chain. If you’re gonna beat Nate Diaz, you have to be special. You can’t be some average guy, some average Joe, some guy that’s okay that’s had some success. You ain’t gonna beat Diaz like that.”
Do you agree with Michael Bisping?
