LAS VEGAS — [autotag]Diego Sanchez[/autotag] and his cornerman have been one of MMA’s hottest topics.
“The Ultimate Fighter” season one winner and his coach, Joshua Fabia, have been all over the headlines during the past week and a half, due to a series of controversies stemming from UFC on ESPN+ 25 in Rio Rancho, N.M.
Sanchez was criticized in many quarters for not continuing to fight after taking an illegal knee from Michel Pereira in the third round of their co-main event bout. He was awarded a disqualification victory in a fight in which he had lost the first two rounds.
Meanwhile, Fabia caught heat for the type of advice he gave Sanchez in between rounds, including from ESPN commentator Trevor Wittman. Fabia’s skills and qualifications to corner Sanchez were widely called into question.
Despite the negative comments and onslaught of criticism, however, Sanchez said he doesn’t plan on changing his training methods any time soon.
“I could address that very easily,” Sanchez told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “Joshua is my brother, my mentor, my guide, my manager, my trainer.
“This has been the most disrespectful that my fans and the masses of the MMA community have addressed me in my career – just throwing all the hits and all the traumas that I took in the 16 years in the UFC. All this trauma that I took, I paid the price for the experience to make my own decisions in what is best for me going forward.
“I have always been different than everybody else and maybe that’s why I’ve lasted so long, alright. I continue to thrive in a special, unique, unorthodox approach that has led me to Joshua. And what he’s done for me, how this side of mixed martial arts is amazing and you really should look into it and become aware of that.”
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“The Nightmare” is one of the most experienced fighters on the UFC roster. With almost 20 years of experience competing professionally, Sanchez tells fans he knows what he’s doing with his unorthodox training.
“I don’t look like I’m going anywhere,” Sanchez said. “I’m speaking healthy, and this is more than a fighting career because Diego Sanchez – the UFC fighter, the identity – that’s been done and dead. I am Diego Sanchez, the human being now.
“And so now that I step into this part of my purpose in life, understand that I’m making these decisions, I’m thinking about this. I’m putting my heart, my mind, my daughter, and my mother and father – the three people that I have to take care of. I’m doing everything in the best of my ability, in the best way that I can for my future. And that includes standing up to the bullies who were taking advantage of me and not treating me correctly.
“This is just what it is. I know that a lot of people around the world are suffering from these same things, whether it be at their job or whether it be on the playground. They’re not saying, they’re not speaking up, they don’t have the courage. I want people to see me and see something different. A new generation, a new era of people believing in themselves and not just listening to what the comments say.”
As far as his future, Sanchez said he’ll continue fighting. He’s yet to be booked for another fight, and the UFC recently confirmed to MMA Junkie that Sanchez is still under contract. Both parties recently had a meeting to discuss what’s next.
“That’s a private meeting, so I’ll keep it very limited to – I’m moving forward, I am healthy, and I’m excited to do what I do,” Sanchez said. “I do this very passionately. I do love it. I am truly not fighting for only money and for all my retirement. No, I love being this person and having this voice to speak right now and have my fans listen. Just know that I’m healthy and my spirit is strong and I’m not going anywhere. I’m holding on.”
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