*RUMOR* Sanchez vs Sakurai

Pitbull · 06-08-2007, 02:27 PM

Courtesy of Report: Diego Sanchez vs. Hayato Sakurai at UFC 74 at UFC blog for latest news, videos, results, betting odds, fighter interviews and MMA rumors - UFCmania.com

Quote:

KRQE News 13 — a local New Mexico-based television station — reported earlier this week that hometown product Diego Sanchez (17-1) will fight PRIDE FC standout Hayato “Mach” Sakurai (30-7-2) at UFC 74 on Saturday, August 25 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The piece was a voiceover, but I was able to track down the transcript today after a day or so of pestering the good folks at KRQE.

Here’s the full snip:

“Diego Sanchez is ready to return to the UFC stage after suffering his first defeat back in April. Sanchez will has a welterweight showdown on the UFC 74 card in Las Vegas, Nevada, August 25th. He will fight Hayato Sakuri of Japan. Sanchez says if he is victorious he could get a rematch with the only man ever to defeat him … Josh Koscheck.”

At this time, no official word from the UFC or either fighter has confirmed this bout. However, the television station has to be going off of an extremely reliable source (such as Sanchez) to be reporting this news.

I heart LNP · 06-08-2007, 03:33 PM

Sakurai by annihilation.

Its surprising to see them giving Diego such a hard fight after losing his last fight.

FightingIrish · 06-08-2007, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I heart LNP

Sakurai by annihilation.

Its surprising to see them giving Diego such a hard fight after losing his last fight.

i agree, sakurai by brutal ko in the first, lol diego is in trouble if this turns out true....i guess dana really is pissed about him going out with ali.lol.

GSPALLTHEWAY · 06-08-2007, 04:01 PM

ehh i dont see diego losing this... and if he does itll be a tough decision... either way he battles regardless of who hes fighting, and i always route against him

H@mmerM@n · 06-08-2007, 04:17 PM

Sakurai by TKO

I8URV8 · 06-08-2007, 05:53 PM

I see this going more like Hughes/Sakurai did...Diego by GNP decision.

HaVoK · 06-08-2007, 06:04 PM

I hope this happens, it should be a very exciting fight. As long as Diego doesn't pull what he did at 69.

AikaImmortal · 06-08-2007, 06:15 PM

As if we didnt need any more proof that PRIDE is never coming back.. Mach by anything.. even flying figure 4.

Gooner · 06-08-2007, 06:20 PM

Interesting fight. Sakurai is a big "lightweight" and Diego's not the biggest WW and is coming off that loss...
I'm hoping Mach takes it, but I really don't know.

Diego could get a decision.

Ninjabot · 06-08-2007, 06:21 PM

Man if this happens we are in for a treat. Diego by decision.

daveyxx · 06-08-2007, 06:59 PM

mach by ko in the first :]

war mach!

Corey · 06-09-2007, 09:45 AM

Good matchup. I see diego being dominant over sakurai though and getting a decision.

FightingIrish · 06-09-2007, 03:49 PM

i thought mach would fight at 155 since he fights at 160 in pride, why did he go to 170?

Gooner · 06-09-2007, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FightingIrish17

i thought mach would fight at 155 since he fights at 160 in pride, why did he go to 170?

He's over 160 usually (164 in his last fight).

I'm sure he cut to even make it there, making 155 would be tough for him.

FightingIrish · 06-09-2007, 04:01 PM

wasn't he 161 against mac danzig?

subgenius · 06-09-2007, 04:01 PM

For some reason, I feel a RNC submission win for Diego Sanchez. It's just a gut feeling. Still, I expect it to be a great fight. Diego is a rather big WW. Sakurai is not really that big for a WW. Diego could be a MW, if he wanted, but he would be average sized. I think Diego has the edge in power, wrestling, and GnP skills. So, I think that after a two round war, then Diego will pull off a submission in the third round.

PS: It might be a submission to strikes, but I keep getting that RNC feeling in the end of this match. No matter who wins, I bet it will be a great fight. I like Sakurai, but I like Sanchez more.

FightingIrish · 06-09-2007, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subgenius

For some reason, I feel a RNC submission win for Diego Sanchez. It's just a gut feeling. Still, I expect it to be a great fight. Diego is a rather big WW. Sakurai is not really that big for a WW. Diego could be a MW, if he wanted, but he would be average sized. I think Diego has the edge in power, wrestling, and GnP skills. So, I think that after a two round war, then Diego will pull off a submission in the third round.

PS: It might be a submission to strikes, but I keep getting that RNC feeling in the end of this match. No matter who wins, I bet it will be a great fight. I like Sakurai, but I like Sanchez more.

diego isn't really that big of a WW doesn't walk around at 170 something?

Gooner · 06-09-2007, 04:31 PM

He was 164 against Danzig. And the LW weight limit was 163 in PRIDE.
Diego is not "rather big for a WW".

Only way Diego is winning this, is via decision.
He ain't finishing Mach.
I hope it will be a great fight. And not one of those snooze fests they always seem to be when Diego doesn't get the takedown he wants.

WAR MACH.

FightingIrish · 06-09-2007, 04:34 PM

oh true, thanks for clearing that up gooner, i thought the division was 160

subgenius · 06-09-2007, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FightingIrish17

diego isn't really that big of a WW doesn't walk around at 170 something?

He competed as a MW on season one of TUF. He was average sized for a MW. He did win that season. But, he beat a LW fighter that was also up to MW in Kenny Florian. Diego seemed to look huge next to Ken-Flo. I think that Kenny was a natural 155, right? But, Diego is not Matt Hughes big in the WW class. Diego is just bigger than average for WW. Most WW fighters are bigger since they tend to be natural MW fighters (like Mike Swick is now doing).