Sanchez Says He’s Number One Contender at 155
June 19, 2009
By: Eric Tamiso for MMAPayout.com
With just one fight in the UFC Lightweight Division, Diego Sanchez (20-2) feels he’s the one that should be in line for a title shot against BJ Penn. But coming into tomorrow night’s main event bout with the new TUF killer Clay Guida, Sanchez is ready for the battle at hand.
“I’ve got Clay Guida in front of me right now and that’s the only thing my mind is focused on is getting in the octagon and putting on the best performance of my career,” said Sanchez. “Going in there and earning and proving to the people that there is a real number one contender at 155.”
In dropping down to lightweight, Sanchez gave several reasons for his second drop in weight class since he’s joined the UFC. Referencing the weight differential between himself and Jon Fitch when they fought at UFC 76 in September 2007 and losing by split decision.
“The one thing that did change when I dropped to 155 was my wrestling,” said Sanchez. “I’m taking down guys at 155 opposed to guys walking into the ring at 190 or 191 like a Jon Fitch. Those twenty pounds make a huge difference when you’re trying a single leg takedown and you’re trying to switch to a double trying to get your opponent to the ground.
Sanchez will need to use his evolved wrestling skills with another tough wrestler, Clay “The Carpenter” Guida (25-9), who has won back to back fights against TUF winners Mac Danzig and Nate Diaz. Guida’s wrestling has also been a factor in his fights, but is something that Sanchez is prepared to handle.
“My game is always evolving, I work with a lot of striking coaches and the best guys on the ground with Saulo Ribeiro and Xande Ribeiro, so I’m constantly improving,” said Sanchez.
For the Nightmare, he referenced his dominating win over Kenny Florian back at the original Ultimate Fighter finale in April 2005 as his case for being the legitimate number one contender to fight BJ Penn.
“One of the reasons for me dropping to 155 is the fact that Kenny Florian is coming up on his second title shot, and this is a guy I walked through four years ago, and people can say that we both evolved and we both changed, and yeah we both had room for improvement,” said Sanchez. “The fact is, you know I walked through him and it wasn’t even a fight and the dude is the number one contender, so in my mind I am the number one contender right now.”
The two TUF season 1 alums most recent victory is against season 2 winner Joe Stevenson, who fought BJ Penn for the interim lightweight title at UFC 80 in January 2008. Sanchez would like to see The Prodigy win the title match at UFC 101 in August, but if he and Florian both win their fights, he has a plan.
“If he wins and I win I think that would make a great fight for the fans and possibly two great coaches for the show after Rashad and Rampage,” said Sanchez.
The test ahead for the Nightmare, winner of three straight fights is another man who’s a very tough fight for anyone, Clay Guida.
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