Diego Sanchez: I Don’t Feel Like I’ve Been Hit Very Hard

 

UFC lightweight fan favorite Diego Sanchez has seen better days in his nearly 12-year mixed martial arts (MMA) career. Losing three out of his last four bouts dating back to early 2012, the “Dream’s” only win in that span was a highly controversial split decision over Takanori Gomi at UFC on Fuel TV 8.

Last seen getting picked apart by rising undefeated prospect Myles Jury at UFC 171, Sanchez blamed a bout with a raw beef dish topped with a quail egg for his unusually uninspired performance. But it may have been Jury’s all-around technical game that actually stifled Sanchez, as “Fury” never let the fight erupt into one of the famous all-out brawls Sanchez has become known for.

And while those brawls have undoubtedly gained him a ton of fans and the reputation as one of the most exciting fighters currently in the UFC, there also has to be a certain amount of detrimental health consequences from taking all those repeated blows to the head.

However, that’s not how Sanchez sees it. “Dream” met up with FOX Sports today to state that he’s never felt out of it after a fight, and has never suffered the ill effects of a concussion either:

“To be honest, I don’t feel like I’ve been hit very hard. I think when I was fighting at 70, I took a couple hard hits and of course BJ (Penn) hit me hard, but aside from that, I think it’s more cuts than anything.  I’m not taking a lot of damage, I’ve never felt foggy after a fight, I’ve never had a concussion in a fight and I’ve never been knocked out. As far as taking all the trauma, no, that’s not the issue. It’s the cuts.”

It’s a very interesting stance from Sanchez, because it could definitely be argued that Gilbert Melendez hit him hard in their classic war at UFC 166, and he ate some big shots in his UFC on Versus 3 slugfest with Martin Kampmann. Let’s not forget his The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9 split decision win over Clay Guida, and of course his UFC 107 stoppage loss to then-dominant lightweight champion BJ Penn.

All told, Sanchez has taken a lot of hard punches and lived to tell the tale. He’ll have another chance to absorb some more damage when he throws down with fellow TUF victor Ross Pearson on June 7 in his hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico. That’s a prospect that has Sanchez revved up to an even higher pace than usual, a potentially dangerous prospect for anyone who stands in his way:

“It’s extremely motivating and for me, I’m more excited about this than I would be fighting for the title, because more than likely this is probably going to be the last time I get to fight in front of my family and everybody. My entire family’s going to be there, and all the fans and all the city of Albuquerque. 

“In my career, I’ve never had three losses in a row and I’m not planning on starting this time. I feel that I’m unbeatable here in New Mexico with my fans and my people and the energy.  I truly feel like I’m unbeatable over here.”

Sanchez is putting even more pressure on his shoulders by looking to right the ship in his favorite city. He has the experience and seasoning of a true warrior, and has shown time and again the ability to get stronger with his back against the wall.

Win or lose, Sanchez’ job is probably safe with the UFC. But you can bet he’ll be willing to lay it all on the line when the UFC makes its inaugural visit to his hometown.

Photo: Andrew Richardson for USA TODAY Sports