Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight veterans Matt Brown and Diego Sanchez collided last night (Nov. 11, 2017) at UFC Fight Night 120 inside the Ted Constant Convocation Center in Norfolk, Virginia.
Brown entered this bout already having marked it as his retirement match. That led to some questioning his mental state, but Brown has always brought his unique brand of violence into the cage, win or lose.
The same can be said of the original Ultimate Fighter (TUF) winner. Sanchez may not be in his prime anymore — it’s been a few years, actually — but Sanchez always takes the fight to his opponent and is not one to back away from a brawl.
This one didn’t last long.
Sanchez immediately ran forward and attempted to hit a double leg takedown. Brown defended that shot and the following transitions, attacking with elbows all the while. Sanchez backed off before shooting again, but “The Immortal” soon forced him to give up on the takedown.
Once that happened, Brown began to stalk his foe. Sanchez attempted to throw him off with flurries and shots, but Brown continued to advance unbothered and began to score with low kicks. A body kick from “The Nightmare” briefly hurt Brown, but it would be the last significant piece of offense from Sanchez.
As Sanchez kicked again, Brown caught the strike. Advancing with his foe’s leg raised, Brown slammed an elbow into the side of his head. Sanchez face planted, and the bout was over soon.
It was classic Matt Brown-violence.
Brown is a nasty Muay Thai fighter with brutal knees and elbows in the clinch. It’s fitting that his final bout and final finish demonstrated those skills, even if it didn’t technically happen in the clinch. That step-in elbow from the caught kick was a thing of beautiful violence, making it a perfect end to Brown’s professional career.
There’s not much more to analyze: Brown walked his foe down and brutalized him, and here’s hoping Brown enjoys retirement.
As for Sanchez, his famous durability is gone. That was a heavy blow, but Sanchez made a career out of absorbing fight-ending shots only to come back stronger. Without that iron chin and his old athleticism, Sanchez doesn’t have much to offer. His jiu-jitsu is still strong, but Sanchez has trouble consistently scoring takedowns against any foe who knows what they’re doing.
Realistically, Sanchez should probably retire. If not, his best bet is a return to 155 lbs., where he did score a couple solid wins in the last year or two. It’s not a perfect fix, but it gives him a chance at least.
Last night, Matt Brown ended his career on a high-note by stopping Diego Sanchez. Should Sanchez follow suit?
For complete UFC Fight Night 120 “Pettis vs. Poirier” results and play-by-play, click HERE!