UFC 279 Predictions: Bleacher Report Main Card Staff Picks

UFC 279 goes down this Saturday in Las Vegas, and all signs point to a wild night.

Headlining honors for the card will go to a welterweight showdown between undefeated contender Khamzat Chimaev and fan-favorite veteran Nate Diaz. The bout is hugely significant for both men, as Chimaev is looking to take a final leap toward title contention, and Diaz is looking to maximize his value as he wraps up his UFC contract and moves into free agency.

In the co-main event, former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson will look for a fresh start in the welterweight division, taking on Chinese slugger Li Jingliang. It's a gamble for Ferguson, who has been beaten in his last four fights, but the…