Diego Sanchez has harsh criticism for "boring" teammates at Jackson's MMA
Posted on August 8, 2012, 01:19 PM by Mike DrahotaUFC Lightweight and Welterweight fighter Diego Sanchez recently spoke to the MMA Hour with some highly interesting comments regarding some of the controversial bouts in the UFC this year. This may not seem out of the ordinary, except for the fact that his criticisms fell upon his teammates at Jackson's MMA. Specifically discussing Carlos Condit's victory over Nick Diaz and Clay Guida's loss to Gray Maynard, the always-exciting Sanchez has harsh criticism for the “elusive” style his teammates recently employed. Win or lose, Sanchez is known for leaving it all in the cage. He commented:
"I thought both of those fights sucked. My coaches might get mad at me for that, but that's my opinion and I'm allowed to have my opinion. I thought Nick Diaz won the fight with Carlos. When you're not engaging and you're not fighting, that takes away what this sport is. That's my opinion, that's why I want to fight someone like the Diaz boys who will come and step in front of you and fight you.”
Sanchez does come the Octagon looking to go toe-to-toe, and sometimes it may not be the best gameplan for him. Sometimes it is. Regardless, we know he will put on an exciting fight for the fans, something that was sorely lacking this summer in MMA until last weekend's monumental UFC on Fox 4 card, which featured all finishes on the main card. Sanchez continued on:
“I guess that's all opinion, but the fans, they have my back on this, and that's what fighting's all about. It's for the fans, and Dana White knows this. That's why he gets so pissed off when there's crappy fights like that. Us as fighters, we must step it up if we want to get taken care of and get paid right and grow this fight into the biggest spot in the world, above all other sports, we have to get in the cage and we have to leave it all in the cage every time."
Sanchez may gain some heat for throwing his teammates under the bus, but he at least speaks his mind. Many fans regarded the two bouts in question as boring, accusing both Condit and Guida of running away from their respective opponents. And ultimately, it is about the fans who spend their hard-earned money to watch the UFC fighters come and perform. They obviously don't want a boring fight where one side is unwilling to engage. Still, Sanchez has high regard for his coaches at Jackson's, saying:
"Don't give Greg and Coach Wink the hard rap. There's so many Jackson fighters like me, guys like Jon Jones, there's so many guys who are just straight-up warriors, who leave everything in the cage."
Sanchez also spoke of his move down to Lightweight after he recovers from shoulder surgery, noting that he appreciate a fight with the exciting Nate Diaz. Sanchez may be controversial, but fans do want to see the kind of fights he puts on. Is this elusive, gameplanning style of fighting beginning to plague MMA with examples like this?
Comments
Well, you also thought you beat Kampman and all he did was cut you in a few places...
Diego may lose some wars, he may win some. But he brings it every time out. That's what we need in MMA, and that's why fighters like Pat Barry and Dan Hardy still have jobs.
I liked his "Nightmare" nickname better. But what do you expect from a crazy dude like Diego. Gotta respect his fight view. though.
Guida's last fight was horrible. i expected to see the Clay that fought Diego and that fought Roger Huerta since he was begging for a title fight. Can't comment on the Condit fight with Nick cuz i still haven't seen it. But on the other hand, when do we as fans not confuse "boring" for just fighters having respect for their opponents skills????
I think Diego hit the nail on the head with this one. I understand about respecting skills, but at the same time you're in there to fight. Some fighters want to prolong their careers by not getting into 3 or 5 round wars and I respect that but you have to train to be that type of fighter. I'm not a huge fan of Machida, but the guy respects a skill set and he goes in and fights his fight. In my opinion a boring fight is when the guys look the same coming out as they did coming in, they just look tired and somebody got a take down or landed a couple of leg kicks.
and my whole point about Machida was that he fights from the outside, doesn't take a whole lot of damage, but he throws with intent, not just to score and run. Honest question though, I wouldn't leave it to the judges.
Diego keeping it real right there. Some don't like the hard truth but he just served it up right there. I just gained tons of respect for Diego.
maybe Condit, and St. Pierre should be fencing in the olympics.
I agree with what Diego is saying; however, most guys know that if they lose 3 fights they are out of the UFC. That being said, sometimes a lay and prey defense can keep you making a living. Some of these guys got nothing else to fall back on so....
Condit and Diaz didn't suck but it could have been so much better. Guida and Maynard? Why is anyone surprised that fight sucked? The two most boring fighters in MMA. After watching guida hold on to Nate Diaz's leg for dear life for 3 straight rounds I will never pay to see him fight again.
Imagine that, Diego Sanchez who never makes sense actually said something that does.
Can't hate his honesty.
you can add Sean Jordan to that list with his shitty fight against Congo.
Seems like 75% of fighters are wrestlers, that alone makes for boring fights, especially with a cage over a ring where you can just hold a guy all round. At least bring in the yellow card.
Agreed. Wrestling is important obviously, but this is not a wrestling match. I'd rather see two fighters go for broke than a lay-and-pray, watch the clock run out snoozefest.
Diego represents a dying breed of fighters who will put the interests of the fans ahead of padding his own stats or fighting ONLY the guys he doesnt drink his morning coffee with.
Diego is just making excuses, MMA is a style not about who can knock each other out. Don't take me wrong, I love watching the KO,but I also love the ground work done to get a submission. Martin Kampman is a good example. This guy can bang but at the same time he can be technical and submit someone. Putting it all out there does not mean get your trash kicked unnecessarily.