Diego Sanchez: "I wasn’t bowing down to GSP. I ain’t riding nobody’s coattails."

GeorgeXVX · 02-09-2008, 02:55 PM

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After going undefeated in the octagon for seventeen fights, Diego Sanchez has lost his past two; dropping decisions to Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch. Diego looks to get back on track against David Bielkheden at UFC 82 and recently sat down with Jesse Holland of MMAMania to discuss a variety of issues. Below are some of the highlights from their conversation.

Sanchez On How His Losing Streak Has Affected How He's Perceived In The Sport:

I don’t know, I think it depends on the way that you lose. Look at some of these other guys getting their jaw knocked into the fifth row. You have this guy who is supposed to be unbeatable, an MMA God and Matt Serra went in there and knocked him around.

Diego Sanchez On Georges St. Pierre:

You know what? I respect him, he’s a great warrior who is very strong, but I don’t fear him like some of the other guys at 170. He’s just a man. I could have went down to 155 to avoid him but my dream started at 170 and I’m gonna see it through. He’s out at my old camp now.

Diego Sanchez On Why He Left The World Famous Greg Jackson Camp:

I have so much respect for the Jackson camp. Keith Jardine, Nate Marquardt, all those guys, they’re still my boys. My loyalty was very strong. But GSP could have gone to any camp he wanted. He knew that place was my home, my dream. That took a little something out of my heart. He’s training in the cage that I bled in, that I sweat in and cried in. Put yourself there for a minute. You’re an undefeated fighter coming off two of the biggest wins of your career (Parisyan/Riggs). Now they’re bringing in the champion of your weight class to train with your guys? For three months I was telling Greg that my heart wasn’t feeling it. Greg kept telling me “Trust me, trust me, you guys are going to make each other the best” but I kept feeling like their true intentions were to make me go down to 155. I mean most of the Jackson fighters cut a lot of weight and that’s not me. I wasn’t going to do it. I wasn’t bowing down to Georges St. Pierre. I ain’t riding nobody’s coattails. I’m Diego Sanchez and just because I had two decision losses - one while I was sick and one controversial to a top five welterweight - does not mean that I’m gonna give up on my dream, my dream to be welterweight champion. Maybe me and GSP will throw down in Albuquerque somewhere in the future. Dana told me there is going to be a show in Albuquerque. I don’t want to fight him unless it’s for the title. I want him for five rounds.

Sanchez On How He Would Train To Beat St. Pierre:

The way GSP destroyed Matt Hughes I said to myself the only way I’m gonna beat this guy is to outwork him. I have something in my heart that he doesn’t have. Maybe he has something that I don’t, but you know what? That’s what we’re gonna put against each other in the ring. I just pray that it’s a five round fight. I don’t want it to be about points. I want him to be the champion at the time and have to fight me for five rounds. Believe me if Koscheck and Fitch had to go five rounds things would have been different. I’ll never get tired. It’s genetic with me, all in my DNA. I’m here to fight.

To read the rest of this great interview with much more from Diego Sanchez, click here.

Diego Sanchez: "I wasn’t bowing down to GSP. I ain’t riding nobody’s coattails." - MMAFightLine.com

T-Bone · 02-09-2008, 03:05 PM

This dude needs a win...bad.

I wonder how long it will take for him to fight GSP. If he wasn't asking for GSP or Hughes when he was undefeated...

FightFan76 · 02-09-2008, 03:43 PM

I do like Diego but if he fought GSP I would pick GSP via anyway he wants it. No disrespect to Diego but I just feel that GSP is better than him at every aspect of MMA.....

HaVoK · 02-09-2008, 03:45 PM

I'd like to see Sanchez fight Koscheck again or Mike Swick if he wins his next fight. I know Sanchez will start racking up wins again, but I don't know if he could beat GSP.

bayouboy · 02-09-2008, 03:46 PM

Funny

FightFan76 · 02-09-2008, 04:04 PM

I dont really have anything against Diego for making these statements b/c it is obvious he is just upset b/c he feels like his camp sold him out to acquire GSP. I dont know if Jackson was right or not but GSP and Diego could have really helped each other under the right circumstances. I dont blame Jackson for allowing GSP to come to his camp either b/c he is almost destined to be successful and that only helps a camp to have a guy like that.....

Ztous · 02-09-2008, 04:22 PM

Diego should have stayed with Jackson. GSP would of been a huge help in training for Fitch. I think GSP could do exactly what Fitch did to him but me more dangerous from every position.

compcast · 02-09-2008, 04:34 PM

i dont know,from diego interview i would be upset.both guys ranked high and in the same division,if and a big if these guys ever meet at 170i will pick diego i think he set a high pace and his stand up is desent which i think gsp had problems with anyone with good standup. against bj gsp had problems but i like diego if that fight happens.

SmashingMachine · 02-09-2008, 04:46 PM

I think he should've swallowed his Pride and stayed put with Greg Jackson's Camp. I think GSP/fighting for the title should be the last thing on his mind right now. He needs to get his screwed back on, get to work, and prove to the UFC he can still beat decent competition.

NateRupe · 02-09-2008, 05:45 PM

I actually agree with him, if the champion of my division started training at my camp while I was so close to a title shot I'd be gone too, just makes you think he's going to know how you train and everything. And yeah the fight with Koscheck was definitely not the best Diego Sanchez, also it was pretty close against Fitch but not close enough to be controversial.

jmag · 02-09-2008, 07:14 PM

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I don’t want it to be about points. I want him to be the champion at the time and have to fight me for five rounds. Believe me if Koscheck and Fitch had to go five rounds things would have been different.

I tend to believe him.

T-Bone · 02-09-2008, 07:31 PM

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Originally Posted by HaVoK

I'd like to see Sanchez fight Koscheck again

please don't root for that

GeorgeXVX · 02-09-2008, 07:39 PM

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Originally Posted by T-Bone

please don't root for that

HAHAHAHAHA

KRONOS · 02-09-2008, 07:55 PM

Sanchez will never be champ as long as GSP is a round. I give Sanchez respect for his heart, but the truth is GSP would beat that @ss down! GSP wins via sub.

Kos beat Sanchez...GSP beat Kos...what in the world is Sanchez thinking? You can't beat GSP Sanchez!

Jenkins83 · 02-09-2008, 08:47 PM

I think Diego is a great fighter, but I don't think he would be able to beat GSP if they fought. Would be a good fight though.

takenover · 02-10-2008, 05:48 AM

This dude would fit nicely in a straightjacket. I do feel him though on GSP coming to his camp. That wasn't giving him much respect with bringing him in.
Has any one told him that GOD brought GSP there, maybe that would have helped.

Hemdoz · 02-10-2008, 06:29 AM

I would have to say the same thing diego simply cant beat GSP and yes he does need a win bad im rooting for him in this next fight

GSPALLTHEWAY · 02-10-2008, 10:47 AM

LOL omg, why is diego talking about GSP? he just lost 2 fights to other guys one of which who GSP just ran right through... he has a long long way to go before he would even get a fight against him

KRONOS · 02-10-2008, 11:01 AM

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Originally Posted by GSPALLTHEWAY

LOL omg, why is diego talking about GSP? he just lost 2 fights to other guys one of which who GSP just ran right through... he has a long long way to go before he would even get a fight against him

That's what I'm saying!

takenover · 02-10-2008, 11:36 AM

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Originally Posted by GSPALLTHEWAY

LOL omg, why is diego talking about GSP? he just lost 2 fights to other guys one of which who GSP just ran right through... he has a long long way to go before he would even get a fight against him

Read the begining, it usually helps with knowing what others are talking about.