UFC 279 will go down as one of the most eventful pay-per-views in MMA history, and that is before the card has even started.
The organization reacted quickly to Khamzat Chimaev inexplicably missing weight by over 7 pounds, coming in at 178.5 for a matchup against Nate Diaz. The maximum weight for the fight was 171.
Because the biggest favorite on the original betting card missed weight, the UFC was forced to shuffle the deck on the pay-per-view, creating new matchups and betting odds in the process. Because of Chimaev’s missed weight, Diaz, Tony Ferguson, Kevin Holland, Daniel Rodriguez and Li Jingliang all have new opponents.
Sportsbooks have already posted odds for the new bouts.
UFC 279 Updated Betting Odds
Rodriguez will now face Jingliang. Rodriguez has opened as a -150 favorite on DraftKings. He had previously been a +180 underdog against Kevin Holland. Li was a -280 favorite against Tony Ferguson.
Chimaev, who was originally set to face Diaz, will now fight Kevin Holland. Chimaev has opened at -580 to defeat Holland on DraftKings. Varying numbers can be found throughout the industry as the dust settles in this market.
The main event now features Diaz and Ferguson. Diaz had opened as a slight favorite but lines have moved sharply toward the Ferguson side. Diaz sits at +105 on DraftKings.
The missed weight is the latest news in an eventful weekend for Chimaev and the promotion. Earlier in the week, a press conference was canceled due to an altercation between Chimaev and Holland backstage.
Although the brawl and last-minute changes caught many by surprise, UFC president Dana White made it clear that his organization was prepared to adapt.
“It’s not by coincidence that we stack guys in the same weight on the same card in case something goes wrong. It worked out,” White said, per ESPN. “Getting these guys to agree to different fights can be a little tough sometimes. We got it all done. We’re locked in.”
It remains to be seen how betting markets will react to this news. OddsShopper will continue to cover these with news and analysis, and betting tools.
