Diego Sanchez defeats Paulo Thiago via Unanimous Decision, in a Fight of the Year Candidate

Diego Sanchez and Paulo Thiago fought for three rounds of what seems like a sure candidate for “Fight of the Year” award. Paulo Thiago was the early aggressor in the fight, enjoying a clear advantage over Diego Sanchez in both stand-up and ground aspects of the game. But in the middle of the first round, it was Diego Sanchez’ trademark intensity and aggression that changed the fight from top to bottom.

Sanchez picked up Paulo Thiago off the ground, viciously slamming the Brazilian grappler on the ground. From this moment, Sanchez never stopped pressuring Thiago with a fierce ground and pound, and submission attempts. Paulo Thiago is a better grappler than Diego Sanchez, that’s for sure. Put the Ultimate Fighter 2 winner managed to impressively reduce the skill advantage with his second to none determination.

It was a must win situation for Diego Sanchez. And he got it. Personally, I still think he’s too small for the UFC Welterweight division, especially with the likes of GSP, Koscheck, Jon Fitch, Kampmann, Shields and Matt Hughes as his potential opponents.

One judge awarded Sanchez a 30-26 victory, as two others gave a Greg Jackson’s product 29-28. But even this judging blunder did not take anything away from a sweet taste left from this fight. Sanchez’s approach is truly inspiring, as this fight will be surely remembered as one of the best in the history of the sport.

Photo: Tracy Lee for Yahoo! CageWriter