Diego Sanchez facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Diego Sanchez
Diego Sanchez in 2009
Born	(1981-12-31) December 31, 1981 (age 43) Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Nickname(s)	The Nightmare
Residence	Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
Division	Featherweight (2015) Lightweight (2009, 2013–2017) Super lightweight (2022) Welterweight (2002–2008, 2010–2012, 2017–present) Middleweight (2005)
Reach	72 in (183 cm)
Stance	Southpaw
Fighting out of	Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Team	Jackson Wink MMA Academy (2002–2007, 2010–2019)
Rank	Black belt in Gaidojutsu Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Roberto Tussa
Years active	2002–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total	44
Wins	30
By knockout	10
By submission	6
By decision	13
By disqualification	1
Losses	14
By knockout	4
By decision	10
Notable school(s)	Del Norte High School

Diego Sanchez (born December 31, 1981) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Super Lightweight division of Eagle Fighting Championship.

Sanchez is best known for his time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). There, he won the Middleweight tournament of The Ultimate Fighter 1. He was also once the Welterweight Champion in King of the Cage.

Diego Sanchez has been part of more "Fight of the Year" matches than any other fighter in mixed martial arts. His famous fights include those against Karo Parisyan, Clay Guida, and Gilbert Melendez.

He is also one of only two fighters to compete in four different weight classes in the UFC. These are Middleweight, Welterweight, Lightweight, and Featherweight.

About Diego Sanchez

Diego Sanchez was born on December 31, 1981. He grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he still lives and trains.

In high school, Sanchez was a state champion in wrestling. He started training in mixed martial arts while working for UPS. He later joined Jackson's Submission Fighting and managed to balance his work with his training.

Mixed Martial Arts Career

Starting Out

Sanchez began his MMA career in 2002. Even though he had a heel injury, he won his first fight by using his wrestling skills. He won by submission (making his opponent give up) in the second round.

He won his first 11 fights without any losses. After this, he became a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter.

The Ultimate Fighter

Sanchez was chosen for the first season of the reality show The Ultimate Fighter. He was seen as a young, focused fighter who wanted to become a UFC champion.

He won a contract with the UFC by defeating Kenny Florian. This made him the middleweight winner of the first season. On the show, Sanchez was known for being a bit different. He practiced yoga and tried to get "energy" from lightning storms.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Fights

Welterweight Division

Sanchez during a weigh-in

After The Ultimate Fighter, Sanchez continued his winning streak. He defeated Brian Gassaway in August 2005.

He then won against Nick Diaz in November 2005. Sanchez also beat John Alessio in May 2006.

In August 2006, he won against judo expert Karo Parisyan. This fight was so exciting that it won the "Fight of the Night" award.

In December 2006, Sanchez knocked out Joe Riggs in the first round.

His undefeated streak ended in April 2007 when he lost to Josh Koscheck. Sanchez was sick before this fight, but doctors couldn't figure out why. After the fight, he was diagnosed with a serious infection.

He lost his next fight to Jon Fitch in September 2007. But he bounced back with wins against David Bielkheden and Luigi Fioravanti. After these fights, Sanchez decided to move to the lightweight division.

Lightweight Division and UFC Title Shot

Sanchez made his lightweight debut in February 2009 against Joe Stevenson. He trained with professional boxers and grappling experts for this fight. Sanchez won by decision, and both fighters earned a "Fight of the Night" bonus.

In June 2009, Sanchez had another exciting fight against Clay Guida. He won by a close decision. This fight was so good that it was named "Fight of the Year" by many MMA experts.

In December 2009, Sanchez fought B.J. Penn for the UFC Lightweight Championship. Penn was very strong and Sanchez was badly injured during the fight. The referee stopped the fight in the fifth round, giving Penn the win. This was the first time Sanchez had been stopped in a fight.

Back to Welterweight

Sanchez at a UFC event in 2009

Sanchez returned to the welterweight division in May 2010. He lost to John Hathaway.

He then rejoined his old training team and won against Paulo Thiago in October 2010. This fight also earned him a "Fight of the Night" award.

In March 2011, Sanchez defeated Martin Kampmann in another "Fight of the Night" battle. Both fighters were very bloody by the end of the match.

Sanchez was supposed to fight Matt Hughes in September 2011, but he broke his hand and had to pull out.

He eventually fought Jake Ellenberger in February 2012, but lost by decision. This fight also won "Fight of the Night."

Back to Lightweight Again

Sanchez moved back to lightweight and fought Takanori Gomi in March 2013. Sanchez won by a close decision, but many people thought Gomi should have won.

In October 2013, he faced Gilbert Melendez and lost by decision. This fight was his seventh "Fight of the Night" award.

Sanchez lost his next two fights against Myles Jury and Ross Pearson. The fight against Pearson was very close, and many believed Pearson should have won.

In January 2015, Sanchez had surgery for a broken collarbone.

Trying the Featherweight Division

After a break, Sanchez tried fighting in the featherweight division. He lost to Ricardo Lamas in November 2015.

Back to Lightweight (Third Time)

After one fight at featherweight, Sanchez returned to lightweight. He won against Jim Miller in March 2016.

In July 2016, Sanchez fought Joe Lauzon at UFC 200. He lost by TKO in the first round.

He then won against Marcin Held in November 2016.

In April 2017, Sanchez lost to Al Iaquinta by knockout in the first round.

Back to Welterweight (Third Time)

Sanchez returned to welterweight and lost to Matt Brown in November 2017.

In September 2018, he won against Craig White by decision.

Six months later, in March 2019, Sanchez defeated Mickey Gall by TKO. This was his first knockout win since 2008 and earned him a "Performance of the Night" bonus.

His last fight under his UFC contract was against Michael Chiesa in July 2019, which he lost by decision.

In May 2019, his fight against Clay Guida from 2009 was honored and entered into the UFC Hall of Fame.

Sanchez returned to the UFC octagon in February 2020 against Michel Pereira. He won the fight by disqualification after Pereira landed an illegal knee.

In September 2020, he lost to Jake Matthews by decision.

Sanchez was supposed to fight Donald Cerrone in May 2021, but he was removed from the fight. He later announced he had left the UFC.

Eagle Fighting Championship

In March 2022, Sanchez made his debut in the Eagle Fighting Championship. He fought Kevin Lee in a 165 lbs bout. Sanchez lost the fight by decision.

Other Combat Sports

Submission Grappling

Sanchez has also competed in submission grappling, which is like wrestling but with submissions. He won a match against Andrew McInnes in 2011. He later lost to Ryan Hall and Jake Shields in other grappling matches.

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship

In November 2022, Sanchez signed with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. This is a sport where fighters punch each other without gloves. He fought former boxing champion Austin Trout in February 2023. Sanchez lost the fight when the doctor stopped the match in the fourth round.

Personal Life

Diego Sanchez married Theresa Tapia in January 2024. He was previously married to Bernadette Sanchez and has a daughter with her.

In December 2017, Sanchez took part in a special exhibition fight. He fought Isaac "The Shermanator" Marquez, a man with Down syndrome who dreamed of competing in MMA. Sanchez helped train Marquez, who dedicated the fight to his late mother. Sanchez wanted to help Isaac stay healthy through martial arts. In a friendly match, Marquez won by submission in the first round, and Sanchez tapped out to a huge cheer from the crowd.

Awards and Achievements

Mixed Martial Arts

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • UFC Hall of Fame (Fight wing, Class of 2019) for his fight against Clay Guida
  • The Ultimate Fighter 1 Middleweight Tournament Winner
  • Fight of the Night (Seven times) against Karo Parisyan, Joe Stevenson, Clay Guida, Paulo Thiago, Martin Kampmann, Jake Ellenberger, Gilbert Melendez
    • Tied for seventh most "Fight of the Night" bonuses in UFC history (7)
  • Performance of the Night (One time) against Mickey Gall
  • Tied for third most wins by decision in UFC history (12)
  • First ever winner of The Ultimate Fighter tournament
  • Tied for second most fights decided by judges' decision in UFC history (21)
  • UFC.com Awards
    • 2005: Ranked #5 Fight of the Year against Nick Diaz
    • 2006: Fight of the Year against Karo Parisyan & Ranked #9 Knockout of the Year against Joe Riggs
    • 2009: Fight of the Year against Clay Guida
    • 2010: Ranked #9 Fight of the Year against Paulo Thiago
    • 2011: Ranked #7 Fight of the Year against Martin Kampmann
    • 2013: Ranked #4 Fight of the Year against Gilbert Melendez
• King of the Cage
  • KOTC Welterweight Championship (One time)