41-Year-Old Diego Sanchez Says He Didn’t Go Out of the UFC on “Stretcher” Unlike Chuck Liddell and Frankie Edgar

UFC legend Diego Sanchez will turn a new page in his combat sports career as he makes his Bare Knuckle Fighting debut next month. As he will set course on the new journey on 17th February, the American will square off against the Austin Trout at Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque. While ‘The Nightmare’ is focused on his bout, he also wants to exchange punches with the free agent, Nate Diaz, in the near future. But, unlike the greats of his contemporary in UFC, the New Mexico resident is proud of how bowed out of the promotion. Similarly, recalling his long time in UFC, the fighter, in an interview, took a dig at the UFC great Chuck Liddell and Frankie Edgar who ‘went out on a stretcher’.

Talking to an interview with MMA Fighting, the 41-year-old fighter reiterated his desire to fight the ‘Stockton Slapper’. In addition, he talked about his transition to bare-knuckle fighting and his chances of competing again in MMA.

Diego Sanchez draws a parallel between him and the legends of UFC

The Jackson Wink MMA Academy representative declared he was one of the rare fighters who ended their career, not on an unpleasant end. Thus, Sanchez told, “And that’s why I was one of the rare few fighters that went out on my shield, you know what I mean. I went out on my shield on UFC, you know.”

“You see, a lot of these guys, you know legends of the sport. Like Chuck and Frankie Edgar and most of these guys are getting, um, they’re getting, they’re going out on stretchers,” he added later on.

Following this, the 30-14 record holder pointed out that the fighters didn’t go out on crutches; went with brain damage and knockout losses. As a result, they were at a loss of confidence as they stepped out of the UFC limelight.

Therefore, the multiple-division fighter admitted he didn’t want to do that. After fighting with Eagle FC, the former King of the Cage champion also conceded that he planned his exit strategy in 2019.

Sanchez recalls his UFC career

Reminiscing his 17-year of UFC relationship, the Albuquerque-born declares how BKFC only added a layer to his legacy. But the UFC legend mentioned how he was criticized for his striking. However, the Ultimate Fighter 1 champion admitted he slugged hands with the best of the fighters.

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Therefore, it has left the fighter perplexed why people still referred to him as not being a technical fighter. Spelling out his initial days, Sanchez called himself a bull. Notwithstanding his not being able to counter fight, measure distance or use his vision to see shots coming to him, he had a learning curve.

Thus, along the learning curve of taking knees and some bunches to the base, he learned in the end.

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