Interview With Diego Sanchez (June 21, 2008 Long Read)

[Warchief]

Three years ago, a young Mexican American from the town of Albuquerque, New Mexico burst on to the MMA scene by winning the very first season of the Ultimate Fighter. His name was Diego Sanchez and when the night was over, the magic of Stephan Bonnar Vs. Forrest Griffin was the prevailing memory most had. But "The Nightmare" was just getting started.

Undefeated over the course of his 5 year career, the young UFC Welterweight was derailed a year and a half ago against his nemesis Josh Koscheck at UFC 69. Later Diego lost a split decision to Koscheck's teammate Jon Fitch. With a long road back to title contention, Diego got back to his winning ways against David Bielkheden this past March at UFC 82 in Columbus, Ohio.

Now, the 26 year old steps into the cage with the always dangerous, former Marine, Luigi Fioravanti, on June 21st at the Palms in Las Vegas for the Ultimate Fighter 7 finale. Diego sat down and talked with MMAmadness about his training, his spirituality, and a possible fight with, "The Prodigy" BJ Penn.


MMAM: This is MMAmadness.com and we are sitting down with UFC Welterweight contender and Ultimate Fighter Season 1 winner Diego Sanchez. How are you doing buddy?

Diego: I'm good man, real good. I've just been training hard and getting ready for the Ultimate Fighter 7 finale coming up here in a little bit.

MMAM: You know, you bring up the Ultimate Fighter 7 finale--it was about 3 years ago when you won the very first Ultimate Fighter. We know what it did for your career, but just talk about how much the sport of Mixed Martial Arts has evolved over these last 3 years and how proud you are as a pioneer of the "new generation".

Diego: Oh man it's just awesome. I always knew this sport was going to be where it's at now. One day I believe it will be the number 1 sport in the world, right up there with soccer--because it's a worldwide thing, you know? Everyone can learn how to fight, so it's universal, you know? I just think it's awesome to see how it's progressed and attained levels no one ever thought possible. Especially during the early years in the UFC when it was being banned.

MMAM: You bring up expansion, progress, etc� and you also liken MMA to being the worlds next great sport with soccer. The UFC seems to be at the top right now and a lot of those other "great sports" don't have a lot of competition I suppose. I just wanted to know how you view the competition out there, especially with the big weekend Elite XC had on CBS a little while ago?

Diego: Oh yeah man, competition is awesome. It just keeps getting better and better, especially with all the talent out there. The talent pool is really amazing and it's crazy to think how different it was three years ago and how easy it is for a fighter now to make a name within a year.

MMAM: You bring up making a name for yourself, so lets get to your fight with Luigi Fioravanti at the Palms on June 21st in Las Vegas. We all know Luigi is a former Marine and one tough dude with a well rounded approach but give us your thoughts on the man you will be fighting that night.

Diego: Training has been great for one, and I'm just doing everything I can to get myself ready to step in there that night. I've been training a ton of Jiu-Jitsu and doing everything I need to do so I can be the best Diego Sanchez possible. I'm just taking it one fight at a time and Luigi is a good match up for me and I think it's going to be a real exciting fight, he's definitely a scrapper.

MMAM: One fight at a time is an interesting approach�.You started off real "hot" in the MMA game going undefeated at the start. Then came the frustrating loss to Josh Koscheck and the split decision loss to Jon Fitch. Now, you bounced back with a win in Ohio this past March, but tell us where you think you would be put in the UFC's Welterweight division with a win over Luigi?

Diego: You know, one step closer to the title shot. One step closer to a big fight with GSP, one step closer to a big fight with Fitch, one step closer to a fight with BJ [Penn], one step closer to a fight with Matt Hughes�.you know, one step closer. I've got a lot of options and there's a lot of opportunities in the Welterweight division. Who knows what's going to happen though, there's a lot of stuff going on in the Octagon and at any given time stuff happens with all the big fighters that like to slug it out.

MMAM: That's a good point. We are at an interesting time in the UFC's history, especially with some of the roster cuts going on. Does this "climate" affect you in any way? Does it add any extra pressure, or do you just keep on plugging away?

Diego: No, it adds no extra pressure for me. I just go in there and do what I do--whoever's standing in front of me, I'm going to fight my game plan and fight as smart as I can and fight to the best of my ability to just finish the fight.

MMAM: You brought up some interesting names to fight. You mentioned Fitch, GSP, and BJ, but if BJ doesn't make that jump up, what are the chances of you making 155? You did mention it in the past.

Diego: It's something that could be done, but it's not something I really want to do. I have what it takes to beat the top opponents at 170, so there''s no real reason to be fighting at 155 right now.

MMAM: You talked about a lot of names there, but I didn't hear Koscheck. With a win over Fioravanti, one of the next logical opponents I could come up with would be Josh, especially since the last fight didn't live up to the "expectations", I guess if you will.

Diego: It's a possibility but right now it's something the UFC's kind of holding back on. It's something that might just happen down the road you know? I personally had Joe Silva (The UFC's match maker) tell me, "He's going to fight you with the same game plan every time. He's going to try and hit and run, and run away and it's not going to make for a good fight. I'd rather match you up with other fighters". So you know, I think it's one of those things that will happen eventually. He's fighting Chris Lytle on July 5th and the best thing for me and my career is to just let the loss go. If it happens and I get the opportunity to fight him again, great. But right now, the best thing for me to do is not dwell on the past but focus on the future and do my best to train hard and become champion.

MMAM: Yeah, and that's one thing about you man--you have this great attitude that you bring with you every time you step in the cage and in your daily life in general. I just want to know how you adjusted mentally after those back to back losses and got yourself ready for your comeback if you will?

Diego: You know, it's frustrating but I didn't let it get to me. It''s really the cards that are dealt to you and I just had to adapt and make myself a better fighter--I just continued to train and that's it. I know what I have inside me and I know what I'm capable of, so it's just a matter of stepping into the cage with the toughest guys and who ever wants to fight me. You know, I personally want to fight GSP and BJ Penn and down the road, obviously, I want to avenge my losses to Fitch and Koscheck.

MMAM: Let's talk about your training. We know you aren't with Greg Jackson's camp anymore, so what have you been doing to keep up that relentless training regimen you have been known for and where have you been training?

Diego: My camp is really spread out and I do a lot of different stuff. It really just gets mixed up a lot and I don't have necessarily a specific "routine". Sometimes I do a long session in the morning and one at night, and sometimes I just make it one really long day of training. I've been training with Rob Garcia for two years now, so I'm always in great condition. A lot of the time I would get fatigued before because I would over train my conditioning but lately I have been making my training a part of my conditioning. So I''ve just been training really hard and doing what it takes in my mind to be on top and I know what I've got and what it takes so now it's just a matter of making it happen.

MMAM: I guess you could say you are really taking the reins of your own career now?

Diego: Yeah for sure man, it's always been like that.

MMAM: You brought up over training�was that something that Greg did, or he was not aware of?

Diego: Oh no, not at all. It was nothing like that, I wasn't really over trained. I just got fatigued in my training and that was my fault. Like I said, I''m still finding myself as a fighter and my system is far from completed. You know I'm still painting this picture that is my career and I'm still putting the artwork down and figuring what paint brush I want to use.

MMAM: [Laughs] Well put.�

Diego: You know, that's the evolution process of Mixed Martial Arts. I did so much boxing these past two years, it's really all I can remember. So now I''m training a bit more Jiu-Jitsu and really focusing on having a smart game plan for Luigi Fioravanti. I'm going to go in there and fight my fight, be smart, and be "the animal".

MMAM: Right, is there anything you are concerned with when it comes to Luigi's skills or game plan?

Diego: No not really. I mean he's very well rounded and like I said I really just need to fight with my game plan--take him down, fight in the clinch, and fight smart. You know, Luigi is a tough guy and a great opponent, as well as a great challenge.

MMAM: You said a couple times during this conversation about "fighting smart". For those who have followed your career, we know that you have a very spiritual side to you and you fight with emotion. When you step into the cage on the 21st, what is going to be flowing through Diego Sanchez's mind?

Diego: I'll be calm and I'll be waiting for my opportunity. I'll just be waiting for my opportunity and I'm going to be smart--I''m not going to rush it. The time will come for me when I see my opportunity and I will be smart and focused. At the same time I will be very aware of his strengths as an opponent and his danger points. I'm aware of his danger points and I know what I have to do.

MMAM: Well right on Diego. I just want to ask you one last question, purely out of interest for myself. If you could fight any one single fighter in the history of MMA, who would it be? Past or present.

Diego: If I could only fight one fighter?�.Oh man�..It would have to be BJ Penn. I think that would be the best fight for me. We are close to the same weight and I think it would be an awesome fight between two strong grapplers--two awesome MMA fighters to be honest.

MMAM: It sounds like you have a lot of respect for BJ.

Diego: I definitely do. I just want to make that fight happen one day on a big scale so we could both benefit from it and have such a huge super fight on such a large scale. Who wouldn't want to watch Diego Sanchez vs. BJ Penn?

MMAM: I like it. With that said and everything almost wrapped up, is there anything you want to say to your fans or sponsors out there?

Diego: I'd just really like to thank the Maloof's and the Maloof family for supporting me and helping me along the way and being so great. And of course New Mexico and the "505" and everyone who supports me, thank you.

MMAM: Well all right Diego, thanks for taking the time with us here at MMAmadness and best of luck on your upcoming fight on the 21st of June versus Luigi Fioravanti.

Diego: No problem man, thank you.

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