Khamzat Chimaev has issued a warning to Nate Diaz ahead of their UFC 279 encounter.

For the longest time many critics had wondered why the Ultimate Fighting Championship had decided to go ahead with Khamzat Chimaev vs Nate Diaz. While a lot of folks may still feel that way, there’s certainly a heightened sense of anticipation surrounding this weekend’s main event with just over 48 hours to go until the two men square off.

It’s been well documented that they’re polarising individuals in their own right and with Khamzat being the clear favourite, he was always going to be confident upon addressing the media.

Diaz, meanwhile, seems to be taking everything in his stride, to the point where he’s even suggested that he stopped outright preparing for ‘Borz’ while he was still training.

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In a few short days all of the talk is going to be over but earlier this week when doing the media rounds, Chimaev made sure to let Diaz know that he wants to punish the veteran and remind the world why he should be in the conversation for a shot at the UFC welterweight championship.

Video: Khamzat Chimaev sends a message to Nate Diaz

“What he going to do? [The] fight [is] at 170, I can fight at heavyweight as well. I don’t think that guy is going to survive one round. I hope he can survive five rounds,” Chimaev said. “It’s good for him. Show his heart and go away from the UFC being a warrior. If I beat him first round everyone is going to say the guy is too old and ‘Uncle Diaz is going to have to go home.’”

“I’m going to go take his head off. I come here, don’t take the points and play the games. I come here to smash somebody and take his head.”

One last stand

It isn’t outright outrageous to suggest that Nate Diaz can pull off the upset on Saturday night but as it stands, it’s considered to be unlikely.

Nonetheless, the Stockton king will probably be heading into this bout as confident as he’s ever been - knowing that when all is said and done, he would’ve fought out his UFC contract in preparation for the next chapter of his career.

Don’t blink, because we could be in for some real fireworks in Las Vegas.