Sanchez Eyes Retirement Fight

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

What a long, strange trip it’s been.
UFC veteran Diego Sanchez, who helped the promotion launch The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) back in 2004, is ready to cross the MMA finish line after nearly 2…


UFC 253 Sanchez v Matthews
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

What a long, strange trip it’s been.

UFC veteran Diego Sanchez, who helped the promotion launch The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) back in 2004, is ready to cross the MMA finish line after nearly 20 years competing in combat sports. The means to that end is a retirement fight against the right opponent.

“I feel like I always knew fighting was what I wanted to do,” Sanchez wrote on Instagram. “The end of this fighting lifestyle approaches very soon. Retirement fight needs to be the proper opponent and I’m checking out of this game.”

Sanchez (30-13), who turns 39 in less than a month, is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Jake Matthews at the UFC 253 PPV last September. “The Nightmare” has competed across multiple weight classes but is expected to finish up his career where it started — at welterweight.

All he needs now is the right opponent … any suggestions?