Diego Sanchez, once a formidable contender in the UFC lightweight division and a winner on “The Ultimate Fighter,” is preparing to step into the boxing ring. Next month, he takes on a familiar face from the MMA world, John Makdessi, as part of the ICS Mania 1 event in his hometown of New Mexico.
Sanchez, who was a fan favorite during his time in the UFC, left the organization in 2020 after losing by unanimous decision to Jake Matthews at UFC 253, which was held in the Middle East.
In 2022, Sanchez found himself back in a mixed martial arts bout, taking on Kevin Lee in the Eagle FC promotion in a super lightweight match-up, which ended in another decision loss for the UFC veteran.
Now, he’s turning a new page by entering the world of boxing, specifically squaring off against another former UFC competitor, John Makdessi. Sanchez’s brief stint in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) last year saw him face Austin Trout, a former world boxing champion. Unfortunately, that bout ended with Sanchez being knocked out in the fourth round.
During an interview with KRQE last week, Sanchez eagerly shared the news about his upcoming boxing debut against Makdessi. For him, this fight marks the realization of a long-held aspiration.
“It’s truly a dream come true,” Sanchez expressed. “I remember watching Johnny Tapia fight there, and this dream of stepping into the ring has been with me even before my fighting career began. As I grew in my UFC journey, I always worked towards bringing the UFC to New Mexico, but it just didn’t happen. Yet, I feel the spirit of Johnny Tapia will be present, hopefully, intimidating the competition.”
Sanchez was animated about his strategy for the fight, “I’m ready to get in there, even if it means beating this guy with one arm. This isn’t kickboxing or UFC; it’s about pressure and pace. I’m fighting for Albuquerque, for New Mexico, and I plan to give it everything against Makdessi.”
To top off this exciting card, the event will feature a headliner rematch that fans of the sport have awaited for fifteen years. Former light heavyweight champions, Rampage Jackson and Rashad Evans, will face off once more, this time trading blows in a boxing arena.
