UFC legend Diego Sanchez had many memorable moments during his career in the Octagon, but he doesn't want to look back on his farewell.
The leading promotion of Mixed Martial Arts is back in Tennessee this week to organize a UFC Fight Night event in the Bridgestone Arena of Nashville.
All eyes will be focused on Derrick Lewis and Tallison Teixeira's collision of heavyweight colossen in the main event, while the knockouts of the UFC want to expand its count of brutal finishes. Intrigue also surrounds the return of Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson in the co-headliner.
A number of remarkable names have been littered over the Undercard, and that includes a highly promoted welterweight that has been running on his best winning series since he became a legend killer in 2020.
Jake Matthews sent Diego Sanchez in a one -sided fight from the UFC
Against the wishes of many who hoped to hang him up the gloves, the Ultimate Fighter 1 winner Diego Sanchez returned to the Octagon on UFC 253 in September 2020.
The concern had already risen about the partnership of Sanchez with the controversial Joshua Fabia in his corner, and that only grew when 'the nightmare' was dominated from start to finish by Jake Matthews in Abu Dhabi.
The match was a one-sided affair that 'The Celtic Kid' Outstrike Sanchez 93-38 saw on the way to three 30-26 score cards in favor of the Australians.
During his press conference after the fight, Matthews admitted that he started to feel bad for the MMA veteran during the last phases of the Beatdown.
“That last bit of land and pound, I was so close to him to apologize,” said Matthews.
“I have watched him since I was 11 years old. Between him and BJ Penn they are two of my favorites of all time. I didn't let it get in my head for fighting, but now it will sink and it is crazy to beat such a man like that.”
That turned out to be the last UFC fight from Sanchez. He was released in 2021 after more than 16 years in the promotion, after he was removed from a fight against Donald Cerrone without an explanation.
Sanchez later split from Fabia and his widely criticized coaching practices. In 2024, the 43-year-old spoke out against his former trainer, whom he burned 'dangerous and unstable'.
Jake Matthews can still live up to his promise
Since the beating of Sanchez, the career of Matthews has been a story of inconsistency that prevented him from realizing his potential.
The Australian alternated profit and losing his next five fights. While he seemed to start to start an point after achieving impressive victories over Andre Fialho and Darrius -flowers, both results were followed by setbacks.
But since he lost to Charging Michael Morales at the end of 2023, Matthews has won back-to-back fights for the first time since his Beatdown against Sanchez.
Months after a decision -making victory on Francisco Prado at home last February, 'The Celtic Kid' gets the chance to expand his streak to three against Chidi Njokuani in UFC Nashville and maybe a claim for a shot on the Welterweight Top 15 fast enough.