Is it time for Diego Sanchez to hang up the gloves?
The UFC veteran is coming off a lopsided loss to Jake Matthews at UFC 253. While Sanchez has managed to get three wins in his last five fights, there’s no denying that The Ultimate Fighter season one winner has lost a step or two inside of the octagon.
White is a big fan of the veteran, but Diego’s performances recently has the UFC President second guessing Sanchez’s decision to fight out the reminder out his contract:
“I love Diego Sanchez, and I don’t know,” White said at the UFC 253 post-fight news conference. “It’s something I’ve got to think about, and it’s obviously something that I’ve got to talk to the guys about back when we get home in the office and see what everybody thinks. I got these guys now – you got Diego Sanchez, who fights his heart out every time he fights, he was part of ‘TUF 1,’ everybody knows how I feel about those guys, and he’s just a great person.
“Then you got ‘Cowboy’ (Cerrone), who you can say all the same things about, and as these guys start to get older and start racking up some losses, it’s tough. But Diego is like – I want to say, I don’t know for sure off the top of my head, but he’s won three of his last five or something like that, but yeah it’s tough. It’s the not fun part of this job.”
Sanchez has made it clear previously that he plans on retiring once his current four-fight deal with the promotion ends. During his interview during fight week of UFC 253, Sanchez stated that he’s trying to go out as good as he came in:
“I’m bringing a new mindset to fighting, life and everything,” Sanchez told reporters, including MMA Junkie, on Wednesday at UFC 253 media day. “I’ve let go all those dreams of becoming a UFC champion. I’m just here to enjoy the experience and finish out these four fights on legendary status. I’m trying to go out as good as I came in, if not better.”
Thus far, there’s been no response from Diego Sanchez regarding White’s comments.