Diego Sanchez (30-14, 16) was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. on December 31, 1981. At the age of 20 years on June 21, 2002, he made his professional MMA debut against Michael Johnson, winning the fight via 1st-round submission.
On August 20, 2005, 23-year old Diego Sanchez made his UFC debut on his 13th professional MMA fight at UFC 54 against a 33-year old Brian Gassaway, winning the fight in the 2nd round via TKO.
Sanchez' last fight was a 3-round unanimous decision loss to Kevin Lee at age 40 on March 11, 2022. He retired on a 2-fight losing streak.
He has fought 26 times in the UFC, and has a record of 14 wins and 12 losses in the promotion.
Some of Diego Sanchez' best fights have been against Kenny Florian, Joe Riggs, David Bielkheden, Mickey Gall, Brian Gassaway, Jorge Santiago and Jim Miller.
Sanchez has 14 losses on his MMA record.
| # | Date | Opponent | Promotion | Weight | Round | Method | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
44  | Mar 11, 2022 40 years, 2 months 30-14 (16) | 29 years, 6 months 18-7 (9) | SLT | 3 | UD | LOSS | |
43  | Sep 27, 2020 38 years, 8 months 30-13 (16) | 26 years, 1 months 16-4 (9) | UFC | WL | 3 | UD | LOSS |
42  | Feb 15, 2020 38 years, 1 months 30-12 (16) | 26 years, 4 months 23-10 (16) | UFC | WL | 3 | DQ | WIN Illegal knee |
41  | Jul 6, 2019 37 years, 6 months 29-12 (16) | 31 years, 6 months 13-4 (9) | UFC | WL | 3 | UD | LOSS |
40  | Mar 2, 2019 37 years, 2 months 29-11 (16) | 27 years, 1 months 5-1 (5) | UFC | WL | 2 | TKO | WIN Punches |
39 | Sep 8, 2018 36 years, 8 months 28-11 (15) | Craig White | UFC | WL | 3 | UD | WIN |
38  | Nov 11, 2017 35 years, 10 months 27-11 (15) | 36 years, 10 months 20-16 (18) | UFC | WL | 1 | KO | LOSS Elbow |
37  | Apr 22, 2017 35 years, 3 months 27-10 (15) | 29 years, 11 months 12-3-1 (7) | UFC | LT | 1 | KO | LOSS Punches |
36  | Nov 5, 2016 34 years, 10 months 27-9 (15) | 24 years, 9 months 22-4 (16) | TUF | LT | 3 | UD | WIN |
35  | Jul 9, 2016 34 years, 6 months 26-9 (15) | 32 years, 1 months 25-11 (23) | UFC | LT | 1 | TKO | LOSS Punches |
34  | Mar 5, 2016 34 years, 2 months 26-8 (15) | 32 years, 6 months 25-7 (16) | UFC | LT | 3 | UD | WIN |
33  | Nov 21, 2015 33 years, 10 months 25-8 (15) | 33 years, 6 months 15-4 (8) | TUF | FT | 3 | UD | LOSS |
32  | Jun 7, 2014 32 years, 5 months 25-7 (15) | 29 years, 8 months 15-6 (10) | UFC | LT | 3 | SD | WIN |
31 | Mar 14, 2014 32 years, 2 months 24-7 (15) | Myles Jury | UFC | LT | 3 | UD | LOSS |
30  | Oct 19, 2013 31 years, 9 months 24-6 (15) | 31 years, 6 months 21-3 (12) | UFC | LT | 3 | UD | LOSS |
29  | Mar 3, 2013 31 years, 2 months 24-5 (15) | 34 years, 5 months 34-8 (18) | UFC | LT | 3 | SD | WIN |
28  | Feb 15, 2012 30 years, 1 months 23-5 (15) | 26 years, 10 months 26-5 (22) | UFC | WL | 3 | UD | LOSS |
27  | Mar 3, 2011 29 years, 2 months 23-4 (15) | 28 years, 10 months 17-4 (13) | UFC | WL | 3 | UD | WIN |
26  | Oct 23, 2010 28 years, 9 months 22-4 (15) | 29 years, 8 months 13-2 (9) | UFC | WL | 3 | UD | WIN |
25  | May 29, 2010 28 years, 4 months 21-4 (15) | 22 years, 10 months 13-0 (9) | UFC | WL | 3 | UD | LOSS |
24  | Dec 12, 2009 27 years, 11 months 21-3 (15) | 30 years, 11 months 14-5-1 (11) | UFC | LT | 5 | TKO | LOSS Doctor stoppage For UFC lightweight title |
23  | Jun 20, 2009 27 years, 5 months 21-2 (15) | 27 years, 6 months 25-9 (16) | TUF | LT | 3 | SD | WIN |
22  | Feb 21, 2009 27 years, 1 months 20-2 (15) | 26 years, 8 months 29-9 (20) | UFC | LT | 3 | UD | WIN |
21  | Jun 21, 2008 26 years, 5 months 19-2 (15) | 27 years, 4 months 13-3 (9) | TUF | WL | 3 | TKO | WIN Knee and punches |
20  | Mar 1, 2008 26 years, 2 months 18-2 (14) | 28 years, 8 months 12-5 (9) | UFC | WL | 1 | TKO | WIN Submission to punches |
19  | Sep 22, 2007 25 years, 8 months 17-2 (13) | 29 years, 6 months 17-2 (11) | UFC | WL | 3 | SD | LOSS |
18  | Apr 7, 2007 25 years, 3 months 17-1 (13) | 29 years, 4 months 8-1 (5) | UFC | WL | 3 | UD | LOSS |
17  | Dec 13, 2006 24 years, 11 months 17-0 (13) | 24 years, 2 months 25-7 (23) | UFC | WL | 1 | KO | WIN Knee |
16  | Aug 17, 2006 24 years, 7 months 16-0 (12) | 23 years, 11 months 15-3 (9) | UFC | WL | 3 | UD | WIN |
15  | May 27, 2006 24 years, 4 months 15-0 (12) | 26 years, 10 months 17-7 (14) | UFC | WL | 3 | UD | WIN |
14  | Nov 5, 2005 23 years, 10 months 14-0 (12) | 22 years, 3 months 11-3 (10) | TUF | WL | 3 | UD | WIN |
13  | Aug 20, 2005 23 years, 7 months 13-0 (12) | 33 years 23-12-2 (14) | UFC | WL | 2 | TKO | WIN Submission to punches |
12  | Apr 9, 2005 23 years, 3 months 12-0 (11) | 28 years, 10 months 2-1 (2) | TUF | MD | 1 | TKO | WIN Punches |
11  | Jun 12, 2004 22 years, 5 months 11-0 (10) | 23 years, 8 months 7-2 (6) | KOTC | WL | 3 | UD | WIN Won KOTC welterweight title |
10 | May 15, 2004 22 years, 4 months 10-0 (10) | Ray Elbe | KOTC | WL | 1 | TKO | WIN Submission to punches |
9 | Apr 10, 2004 22 years, 3 months 9-0 (9) | Travis Beachler | Pride | WL | 1 | TKO | WIN Punches |
8 | Feb 28, 2004 22 years, 1 months 8-0 (8) | Cruz Chacon | KOTC | WL | 1 | SUB | WIN Rear-naked choke |
7 | Aug 3, 2003 21 years, 7 months 7-0 (7) | John Cronk | KOTC | WL | 2 | SUB | WIN Kimura |
6 | Jun 14, 2003 21 years, 5 months 6-0 (6) | Rene Kronvold | KOTC | WL | 1 | SUB | WIN Armbar |
5  | May 16, 2003 21 years, 4 months 5-0 (5) | 28 years, 7 months 2-0-1 (2) | KOTC | WL | 1 | SUB | WIN Armbar |
4 | Feb 21, 2003 21 years, 1 months 4-0 (4) | Jake Short | KOTC | WL | 1 | TKO | WIN Punches |
3 | Dec 15, 2002 20 years, 11 months 3-0 (3) | Shannon Ritch | KOTC | MD | 1 | SUB | WIN Rear-naked choke |
2 | Sep 6, 2002 20 years, 8 months 2-0 (2) | Jesus Sanchez | 2 | KO | WIN Punches | ||
1 | Jun 21, 2002 20 years, 5 months 1-0 (1) | Michael Johnson | 1 | SUB | WIN Rear-naked choke |
