UFC On Fuel 1 Rapid Reaction Diego Sanchez Needs To Change Or Retire
by Cory Braiterman on Feb 15, 2012 11:28 PM EST
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There's a term that gets used in this sport a lot called "evolution". Earlier today in fact, Jack brought up the de-evolution or over-evolution of Rampage Jackson into a mostly one-dimensional fighter. Throughout the past few years, we've witnessed Diego Sanchez roar into the octagon 17 times, and 17 times it's been pretty much exactly the same Diego Sanchez. It got him some measure of success - he won TUF1, and got a title shot at lightweight, but ever since then, real success has eluded him. It's easy to say that B.J. Penn took his soul, but that's just a fun meme. What's really happened is that the top levels of the division are just better than Diego Sanchez.
Diego hasn't added anything to his arsenal since 2005 and it's gotten painfully clear that if he ever wants to find success in this sport in the small time that he has left, he needs to change, and fast. I don't mean finding Jesus and renouncing weed, because quite frankly in my opinion, it's just going all-in from one addiction to another. He can be a sucker for women, weed, booze, religion or whatever he wants, but unless he starts really incorporating some MT, BJJ and better technical boxing, he's going to fail to those that out-physical him. Personally, I think his best chance for success is to drop back down to lightweight where his size-disadvantage becomes an advantage. At 170, he sports a muffin-top and sports an 0-3 record since 2007 to Josh Koscheck, Jon Fitch and Jake Ellenberger - three people who are just better MMA wrestlers than he is.
To be quite honest, I don't think he will ever be a champion in the UFC, and if his dream is to truly have gold around his waist, he needs to swim in shallower waters. That said, I'm going to assume that he continues to fight in the UFC, he probably won't ever change up his style, regardless of the losses, and will never be more than a gatekeeper. Perhaps he goes and proves me wrong, but personally, I think that unless he wants to stop having broken parts in his face, he needs to seriously change his stubborn style, fight lesser competition, or just hang them up.
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And as a fan, I’m ok if he goes out and Lytle’s it up a bit
by Afrotikiman on Feb 15, 2012 11:49 PM EST via mobile reply actions 2 recs
That was my thought
he’s the next Lytle, going for FOTNs and leaving it all in there.
I thought Lay N Pray was a stupid insult until I watched Tyron Woodley fight.
He also lost to John Hathaway @ 170
but he beat Kampmann
Learn JiuJitsu.
Semper Fi'
Winter is coming.
Gifted that last fight imo
I mean, if he doesn’t mind being some mid-carder like Lytle as Afro just suggested and just beating his head against the wall in hopes of winning bonuses, more power to him. If he actually wants to win a title, he needs to alter something, and soon before his time in the sport expires completely.
The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com
by Cory Braiterman on Feb 16, 2012 1:20 AM EST up reply actions
He didn't actually beat Kampmann
But he did beat Paulo Thiago.
"To me in this sport, it’s fighting, it’s mixed martial arts, and I feel there’s too many athletes and not enough fighters…I think these people going in taking these sports enhancement drugs, they’re not real fighters, they’re athletes. I’m a fighter. I’m a real fighter. That’s all I did my whole life." - BJ Penn
I'm happy with his performance tonight.
If he gets better and changes things up so be it. If he stays the same and still gives us awesome fights, I’m cool with that.
Guy puts on a fight of year type fight and you want him to retire. We know he isn’t going to win any belts. Does that mean everyone should retire if they can’t get back to the top?
like I said to Rollo
If he wants to Lytle it up, that’s great and all, but he’s also been getting torn up in some of these FOTN performances. He looked like he was stabbed in the Kampmann fight, and he was getting hammered in this one. That’s not good for one’s health. It’s becoming abundantly clear (to me anyway), that he will never ascend past gatekeepever if he doesn’t evolve (he might not anyway), so if he ever wants to climb the mountain, this will never get him there – the sport has passed him by.
The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com
by Cory Braiterman on Feb 16, 2012 1:54 AM EST up reply actions
I'm a big fan of his work rate and tenacity, but I agree.
His stand up hasn’t progressed and he doesn’t do anything great skill wise but man, I love watching him fight. He sure is one of the toughest fighters on the roster and makes every fight FOTN worthy.
I agree LW is better suited for him. He should’ve stayed there where his takedowns and GnP would be more effective. A matchup with Maynard would be interesting.
just cause
he is’nt gonna become champ or challenge for it does’nt make someone a gate keeper
i completely disagree
sanchez is a tough motherfucker who just gave one of the best talents at ww a solid beating. he lost the fight but was pretty damn close to pulling it out
the guy hasnt added any new skills or evolved as a fighter in years but who gives a shit, his motor and heart will keep winning him fights. the guys never gonna be a champ but hes a solid headliner for fuel cards and a solid addition to any ufc card.
also if your not a top 10 fighter in either ww or lw sanchez will beat the shit outta you
"I have smoked weed with alot of UFC champions" - Joe Rogan
"Você ta fudido. Se vai levar muita porrada, ta ligado?" - Anderson Silva
He got lit up on the feet every time he walked in.
30 seconds of offence doesn’t take away from the 2 and a half rounds of getting beaten up on the feet the exact same way he did against Penn, Hathaway and Kampmann.
I think he was great in his last fight
I just watch it and now tell me have you ever seen another fighter brutalising on Jake Ellenberger to such measures? because i havent. It was a great moment and had he been not tired he could have choked him out. If Ellenberger doesnt get out in the last 5 seconds or so i think they would have made either an extra round or Diego wins the fight. He was very close. He got knocked down but stood up and hasnt lost it never once. The only thing he must be more clever at is the accuracy of his blows and thats it. I think UFC didnt have a champ who has won more fight of the nights than Diego and still many are writing him off. He even nearly finished the “best in the world” Nick Diaz :) He said post-fight that he had some serious troubles with his ankle but he couldnt afford to give this fight back and i could see him more careful with his feet and stance overall during this fight. Look at Ellenberger’s face, have you seen him this way after any fights of his???
Diego is a great champ and although he s changed addictions as Cory has so brilliantly put and with which I totally agree, he has still a good potential to be a top contender, he is in a fairly good shape. And yes, before critizising that Jake could knock him down, please see the other guys which Jake in fact Knocked out cold in the first round :) thats it
Follow me on Twitter: @szanpan
BE Civil War 2 Team: krcambell
"Maybe I m high.. maybe I'm not... maybe fuck you? Nick Diaz"
additionally
Ellenberger is 27-5 , Diego Sanchez is also 27-5. thats really not dramatic as many of you put it and clearly not a reason for a retiring :D especially for a fighter that he is, really fights till the last moment which is clearly great.
Follow me on Twitter: @szanpan
BE Civil War 2 Team: krcambell
"Maybe I m high.. maybe I'm not... maybe fuck you? Nick Diaz"
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