Diego Sanchez is becoming one of the most talked about and entertaining figures in all of mixed martial arts (MMA).
"The Dream" is a fan favorite who always brings it, but he's currently on a two-fight losing streak -- only being able to get his hand raised once in his past three contests. The Albuquerque resident has been under contract with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) since winning The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) season 1, partaking in several wars against Karo Parisyan, Clay Guida and Gilbert Melendez, just to name a few.
However, those particular fights have pundits signalling towards Sanchez taking too much damage, something he often refutes. He believes that he's on the cusp of greatness -- and that UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis should be wary of his presence
From his conversation with MMA Junkie:
"I feel I have everything to offer [Pettis], I just haven't got to show it yet. I've shown moments of my greatness, moments in my Paulo Thiago fight, in the Gilbert Melendez fight, in the third round of the Jake Ellenberger (fight), (and) with Martin Kampmann. There's been a lot of moments, but have I yet to put it together? No. After the Melendez fight, I was able to realize I need to be a high-level kickboxer and a high-level striker before anything, because the fight starts on the feet."
The crazed "Yes" fanatic won two of those four fights he mentioned, and also failed to capture lightweight gold when he had the chance against B.J. Penn at UFC 107 -- in perhaps the most grueling loss of his career.
But, the past is the past and if the seven-time "Fight of The Night" winner gets the chance to showcase his skills against "Showtime," he would be victorious 90-percent of the time:
"I have a great chin and great conditioning, but I need to be able to strike and be efficient and accurate. So that's something I've finally realized, and I really want to work with my team. But I haven't been able to show it yet. As far as wrestling and ground skills with Pettis, I think I'm on another level. He has some nice ground skills, too, but I feel like I'm on another level, and (with) size and strength, I feel that's a fight I win nine out of 10 times."
Sanchez has enjoyed endless opportunities to show he belongs against the best, and although at times he does, nothing leads me to believe the man they used to call "The Nightmare" would be able to topple the current champion.
He has a chance of proving the naysayers wrong against Ross Pearson at UFC Fight Night 42 in Albuquerque, New Mexico in June.
Another case of hallucinogenic meats?