Nate Diaz's exit interview from the UFC went about as expected after an incredible turn of events during fight week meant he'd be facing Tony Ferguson on short notice in the main event of UFC 279 instead of Khamzat Chimaev. Diaz locked in what may end up being the final submission of his UFC career in the fourth round when Ferguson shot in for the first takedown of the fight. Ferguson ended up tapping out to a guillotine choke seconds later for his fifth straight loss.

In his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, Diaz said he'd like to go conquer another sport, but will be back to the UFC for a run at the title.

"It's been a love-hate relationship," Diaz said, " ... but at the end of the day I love the UFC."

Chimaev's weight issue cost him the main event spotlight versus Diaz, but not a spot on the card as he was given Kevin Holland to face in a catchweight bout at 180 pounds in the co-main event. It turned out to be a thrashing as Chimaev quickly took down Holland and stayed in control before submitting him with a D'arce choke minutes into the first round.

[UFC 279 result: Chris Barnett's epic comeback, in-cage interview delights fans]

No. 14-ranked welterweight Li Jingliang and Daniel Rodriguez agreed to fight each other at a catchweight of 180 pounds just one day before the two met in the cage Saturday. Their fight ended up going the full three rounds in what amounted to a striking battle with both fighters mostly staying at distance. Rodriguez took the fight on two of the three judges' scorecards for the split decision victory.

Irene Aldana and Macy Chiasson went back and forth in the first two rounds of their catchweight bout at 140 pounds. Aldana clearly won the first round after dominating Chiasson and even forcing her to tap out to an armbar, but it went unseen by the referee. Chiasson stormed back in the second and dealt Aldana some vicious ground and pound. In the third and deciding round, with Chiasson backing out of top control, Aldana caught her with a brutal up-kick to the liver. Chiasson crumpled to the ground and the fight was stopped.

Johnny Walker, who had lost four of his last five fights, opened the pay-per-view with a first-round submission of Ion Cutelaba in their light heavyweight matchup. The No. 13-ranked Walker had entered the fight as a +170 underdog and improved his record to 19-7. Cutelaba is now 16-8 after going 1-4 in his last six with one split draw.

UFC 279 results, highlights, analysis

UFC 279 main card results, highlights

Welterweight: Nate Diaz def. Tony Ferguson by submission (guillotine choke) at 2:52 of R4:

Catchweight (180 lbs): Khamzat Chimaev def. Kevin Holland by submission (D’Arce choke) at 2:13 of R1:

Catchweight (180 lbs): Daniel Rodriguez def. Li Jingliang by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Catchweight (140 lbs): Irene Aldana def. Macy Chiasson by TKO (liver kick) at 2:21 of R3:

Light heavyweight: Johnny Walker def. Ion Cuțelaba by submission (rear naked choke) at 4:37 of R1

UFC 279 prelims results, highlights

Catchweight (149.5 lbs): Julian Erosa def. Hakeem Dawodu by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Catchweight (220 lbs): Jailton Almeida def. Anton Turkalj by submission (rear naked choke) at 4:27 of R1:

Middleweight: Denis Tiuliulin def. Jamie Pickett by TKO at 4:52 of R2:

Catchweight (267.5 lbs): Chris Barnett def. Jake Collier by TKO at 2:24 of R2:

UFC 279 early prelims full results

Women's featherweight: Norma Dumont -def. Danyelle Wolf by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Bantamweight: Alateng Heili def. Chad Anheliger by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Women's strawweight: Elise Reed def. Melissa Martinez by unanimous decision (29-28, 28-28, 29-28)

Welterweight: Yohan Lainesse def. Darian Weeks by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)