Diego Sanchez Discusses Warrior Spirit, Says Fights Take No Toll On Him
UFC 171 will be fight number 20 under the promotion for exciting slugger Diego Sanchez; ‘The Dream’ has had a 12-year 24-6 stint as a pro in MMA, and entered the UFC octagon for the first time against Kenny Florian at ‘The Ultimate Fighter 1’ finals. Sanchez remained undefeated until a decision loss to Josh Koscheck at UFC 69.
Known for fight of the night/year battles against Gilbert Melendez, Clay Guida and Karo Parysian, Sanchez has only ever landed one title shot. His efforts against BJ Penn fell short when ‘The Prodigy’ opened a nasty cut on ‘The Dream’ and the doctors called the fight off in round five.
Now aged 32, Sanchez spoke with USA Today about the toll these wars have had on him:
“Hell no, that shit don’t take a toll on me, it makes me better. That’s experience, that’s being under the bright lights and that’s learning to find who you are as a true warrior; learning to find that true warrior spirit within. And, it takes time, it takes many years, it takes many fights, it takes experience. You have to feel these feeling, these emotions, it’s the spirit inside of a fighter and the heart inside of a warrior.”
The long-term effects of such a brutal sport are clearly not keeping Sanchez down, or not yet at least. 12 years is a long time to compete in mixed martial arts, but the scrapper formerly known as ‘The Nightmare’ feels he is still up there with the best in his division:
“Sometimes you go through fights where you’re more technical, sometimes you have to grind it. Sometimes you dominate and sometimes you have close fights. There are so many aspects in mixed martial arts, but in the wars with Gilbert Melendez, I believe we are two of the best lightweights in the world. UFC obviously agrees, because Gilbert is fighting Anthony Pettis for the title, so I’m up there with him.
Having fought at 155, 170 and 185 pounds during his illustrious career, would a change in weight be on the cards if Sanchez loses to undefeated Myles Jury? ‘The Fury’ is the much younger man at 25, fights out of Alliance MMA and is 13-0. A loss against Jury at 171 would set Diego’s record at 5-5 since his 2009 lightweight debut, before dropping to 155 Sanchez had only lost twice as a pro.
Perhaps UFC 171 will mark the start of a hot streak for Sanchez at 155 pounds, a loss would certainly pull ‘The Dream’ from his #15 spot in the rankings and send him back to the drawing board. With all the fresh talent at lightweight, do you think Sanchez has a chance at another title shot?
