Chimaev unsure 'skinny boy' Diaz will show up for fight

Khamzat Chimaev is ready to headline UFC 279, but he's not confident Nate Diaz can say the same.

Speaking on Monday's "The MMA Hour," the surging welterweight contender said he's skeptical that Diaz will make it to their Sept. 10 bout. The UFC made the matchup official this past weekend.

"I still don't believe that guy is going to come and show up," Chimaev said. "That skinny boy. We will see what's happening. I'm just waiting. I'm ready for Sept. 10. It doesn't matter who (fights me)."

Last week, Chimaev said he plans to "handle" Diaz's funeral with the UFC and then took it a step further with a photoshopped image. (This is the last fight on Diaz's contract, and the star is widely expected to part ways with the promotion afterward.) However, Chimaev said he does respect Diaz for agreeing to the fight.

The 28-year-old added that although he sees Diaz as a favorable matchup, he'll approach UFC 279 with the same level of seriousness he had for his first 11 pro fights.

"If they will give me Kamaru Usman, I will do the same thing," Chimaev said. "For me, it doesn't matter. (Diaz) just fights and fights. He's still dangerous. He fights until the last second.

"I'm happy he's fighting with me. He's one of the legends. ... Everyone's speaking like, 'Gangster, gangster.' I'm going to show who's the gangster."