Despite what seemed like an acrimonious split from the promotion, UFC boss Dana White wants to make it clear that he’s still there for Diego Sanchez.
When Diego Sanchez exited the UFC it felt like some pretty significant bridges had been burned behind him. Largely the work of his now former trainer and guru Joshua Fabia, Sanchez was involved in confrontations and bizarre situations with UFC staff, the Nevada State Athletic Commission, and even other athletes before his release in late April of this year.
Several weeks after the UFC terminated their contract with the Ultimate Fighter Season 1 winner, Sanchez and Fabia officially parted ways as well—with an attorney representing the fighter making it clear that the former Jackson-Wink talent and the ‘School of Self Awareness’ owner no longer had a business relationship.
It’s in the wake of that news that Dana White has extended an olive branch of sorts. Speaking to MMA Junkie in a recent interview White was adamant that while he has no interest in hearing from or speaking about Joshua Fabia, he’d absolutely welcome a call from Diego Sanchez.
“Diego Sanchez can pick up the phone and call me – any of those ‘TUF (1)’ kids. You know what I mean?” White said. “I had a falling out a few years ago with Josh Koscheck. If Josh Koscheck picked up the phone and called me, I would talk to Josh Koscheck. If any of those kids needed me, all they’ve got to do is pick up the phone and call me.”
“Diego Sanchez, this will always be his house,” he continued. “He will always be a part of the history of this company. As long as I’m here, he’ll always be respected for what he’s done for the UFC and ‘The Ultimate Fighter.’ I don’t really follow any of that sh*t. I don’t really follow any of that sh*t. I don’t really care what anybody says. When I tell you I don’t give a f*ck, I could not be more honest when I tell you I don’t give a f*ck. I love Diego Sanchez. I always will. If Diego needs me, all he needs to do is pick up the phone.”
That’s a very different story than the one the ‘Nightmare’ was telling back in early May, when he took to Instagram saying that Dana White wouldn’t answer his calls and that he had spent the last several weeks visiting the UFC PI in Vegas trying to get a meeting with the UFC boss. Maybe now that Fabia is no longer working as Sanchez’s intermediary, White and Sanchez can talk things over.