Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) recently gave Diego Sanchez his unconditional release, which means “The Nightmare” will no longer be competing against Donald Cerrone at the UFC Vegas 26 event on May 8 in Las Vegas.
And it looks as though Joshua Fabia, head coach for Sanchez, may have contributed to the decision. Fabia has come under fire for his abusive behavior behind the scenes, as well as his unconventional training methods, like Octagon knife fighting.
“I have an incredible, amazing relationship with Diego and I like him very much and I hope he is okay,” UFC President Dana White told Yahoo Sports. “One of the sad things that happens, not just in fighting but in sports, and I want you to quote me on this, are these creepy weirdos who come from God knows where and leech onto fighters or athletes. They never do any good for them.”
Fabia has been called a “master manipulator” by fellow UFC fighters.
“Somehow, this creep got into Diego’s life and has been controlling him,” White continued. “You saw the video of him chasing guys in the Octagon with a knife. How [expletive] nuts is that? He goes to the commission and tells them that he’s taught Diego this death touch. It goes on and on with this guy. He goes into the production meeting and tells the commentators what they should be saying? The guy is batshit nuts. He worked his way into Diego’s life and has gotten control over him. I just want the best for Diego.”
Sanchez (30-13), who turns 40 in December, believes he is “free at last.”