UFC 95 exclusive: ?I want BJ Penn after Joe Stevenson,? says Diego Sanchez

[Determ1ned]

For Diego Sanchez, The Ultimate Fighter series 1 welterweight winner, headlining UFC 95 in London on the 21st February is a dream come true.

The Albuquerque, New Mexico native is making his debut appearance in the lightweight division against Joe Stevenson ? truly, a baptism of fire.

Nonetheless, Sanchez is not intimidated. Carrying a 19-2 record at 170lbs, Diego ?Nightmare? Sanchez spoke exclusively to Mirror.co.uk about his reasons for dropping down a weight class.

?I have always walked around at 170lbs and fought at 170lbs. Most lightweights cut from 170lbs so it?s a natural move for me. Now I will have the advantage. I will be bigger and stronger than these guys.?

With two impressive wins in his last two outings ? a first round destruction of David Bielkheden at UFC 82 and a TKO win over Luigi Fioravanti at The Ultimate Fighter 7 final ? Sanchez has performed well in the welterweight mix.

But Sanchez?s decision to move to the lightweight division is informed more than a desire to operate at a more comfortable weight ? the 27-year-old is on the gold trail.

?I?ve been hunting for a title shot for a long time and it?s a big part of my decision,? he told Mirror.co.uk.

?I have already beat Kenny Florian and I think a decisive win against Joe will put me in line for a shot at the lightweight belt.?



http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/more-s...5875-21117513/

[CR123]

Florian is already up for the title shot....he will have to fight Kenny again if he wants the belt after Ken wins it.

[Clark_Kent]

[Determ1ned]

Originally Posted by Clark_Kent

lol, reps

[Determ1ned]

Originally Posted by CR123

Florian is already up for the title shot....he will have to fight Kenny again if he wants the belt after Ken wins it.

I dont see Florian beating BJ, just my opinion.

[Kane Fan]

I don't think anyone should have BJ Penn as thier second fight at a given weightclass
then again I also didn't think Penn should have fought GSP the second time when he didn't have a win at 170 for over a year I believe

so obviously what I think dosn't really impact Joe Silva
I do want to see Penn vs Sanchez but I just dont' think it should be the second fight at 155, no mater how well the first performance goes

[Croaker]

I want to see Sherk eat him alive.

After he loses to Joe Daddy.

[injured44]

diego easily beats ken flo

his only big challanges at 155 are bj, and sherk

[Maine]

I'd rather see Sanchez vs Sherk and BJ Penn vs Ken Flo on the same card.

[White_Goodman]

ken flo would beat sanchez now

Bj
Sherk
Ken Flo
Griffin
Sanchez

thats the order

[Big Arm Big Pay]

How is anyone putting Diego on how good he is at 155 when he hasn't even fought?

[gainmusclefast]

if diego wins id like to see him fight sherk if he wins too

[CR123]

Originally Posted by White_Goodman

ken flo would beat sanchez now

Bj/Kenflo
Sherk
Griffin
Sanchez

thats the order

fixed




Also I would like to see Sanchez fight Sherk, Griffin, Huerta, Franca...in any order before he gets a shot....if he beats Joe Daddy

[HardGainer82]

Originally Posted by CR123

fixed




Also I would like to see Sanchez fight Sherk, Griffin, Huerta, Franca...in any order before he gets a shot....if he beats Joe Daddy

While I think Florian could beat Sanchez now, I can't rank him above Sherk unless they rematch. I really think Sherk is Florian's kryptonite and Kenny has NEVER EVER mentioned rematching him. I think he knows it too.

[Normot]

How will he be bigger and stronger by cutting from 170 if a lot of guys cut from 170?

[iamgenus]

Originally Posted by injured44

diego easily beats ken flo

his only big challanges at 155 are bj, and sherk

Easily ha? I'd love to see that fight. Only to see you eat those words. Florian isn't the same guy who fought Sherk or Sanchez and both rematches would be very different.

[injured44]

Originally Posted by HardGainer82

While I think Florian could beat Sanchez now, I can't rank him above Sherk unless they rematch. I really think Sherk is Florian's kryptonite and Kenny has NEVER EVER mentioned rematching him. I think he knows it too.

sherks willingness to stand and trade is his biggest weakness his standup is pretty ****ty with no power and he doesnt seem to use his whole body.
if ken flo could keep it standing he ,might be able to jab sherk to a decision.

[HardGainer82]

Originally Posted by injured44

sherks willingness to stand and trade is his biggest weakness his standup is pretty ****ty with no power and he doesnt seem to use his whole body.
if ken flo could keep it standing he ,might be able to jab sherk to a decision.

Sherk has a short reach, but his standup is excellent.

Why is it that you suddenly think that Kenny could beat Sherk when you've been saying for months that any wrestler in the LW division would own him?

[CR123]

Originally Posted by HardGainer82

While I think Florian could beat Sanchez now, I can't rank him above Sherk unless they rematch. I really think Sherk is Florian's kryptonite and Kenny has NEVER EVER mentioned rematching him. I think he knows it too.

I'm thinking Sherk vs. Ken 2 is in the works win or lose.

I think the rematch will be different, Sherk looks like a different fighter in a bad way...see his BJ loss..he looked passive and I can't remember him looking for a take down and trying to tire BJ out.

Kenny looks like a beast now...crisp striking, improved power, and great BJJ.

Not to mention the last fight went to Decision and Sherk is free of his "little boost" he had before.

[iamgenus]

Sherk is Florian's kryptonite? The fight went to a 5 round decision and Sherk was bleeding all over the place(which in hingsight probably gave him an advantage over KFlo)

Maybe Sherk is Florian's hang nail or something...hardlly kryptonite. Not at this stage in their games.

There are guys in MMA who you can see the progression based on their training. GSP is one of those guys, Florian is one of those guys. Sherk is not at least not at this age.

[injured44]

Originally Posted by HardGainer82

Sherk has a short reach, but his standup is excellent.

Why is it that you suddenly think that Kenny could beat Sherk when you've been saying for months that any wrestler in the LW division would own him?

i didnt say i think ken will beat sherk

i just think those are the circumstances where ken has the best chance is standing.

most likely though any of the top wrestlers + BJ penn will beat kenny fairly easily

sherks even quoted as saying himself gray maynard, and diego would easily beat kenny

[HardGainer82]

Originally Posted by iamgenus

Sherk is Florian's kryptonite? The fight went to a 5 round decision and Sherk was bleeding all over the place(which in hingsight probably gave him an advantage over KFlo)

Maybe Sherk is Florian's hang nail or something...hardlly kryptonite. Not at this stage in their games.

There are guys in MMA who you can see the progression based on their training. GSP is one of those guys, Florian is one of those guys. Sherk is not at least not at this age.

Dude, Sherk pwned Kenny for five rounds with one arm, and Kenny cut him once. At one point, Kenny literally turned and ran away from Sherk's takedown. Let's not make that out to be a close fight.

Sherk has incredible boxing skills that everyone was blind to until like two fights ago, but he's not improving? Kenny will get on his bike and try to fight him like he did Huerta, but Sherk is a different animal, not as sloppy. Florian does not have BJ's power and coconut head, it would not look like their fight did.

[gainmusclefast]

Originally Posted by HardGainer82

Dude, Sherk pwned Kenny for five rounds with one arm, and Kenny cut him once. At one point, Kenny literally turned and ran away from Sherk's takedown. Let's not make that out to be a close fight.

Sherk has incredible boxing skills that everyone was blind to until like two fights ago, but he's not improving? Kenny will get on his bike and try to fight him like he did Huerta, but Sherk is a different animal, not as sloppy. Florian does not have BJ's power and coconut head, it would not look like their fight did.

lol

[iamgenus]

Originally Posted by HardGainer82

Dude, Sherk pwned Kenny for five rounds with one arm, and Kenny cut him once. At one point, Kenny literally turned and ran away from Sherk's takedown. Let's not make that out to be a close fight.

Sherk has incredible boxing skills that everyone was blind to until like two fights ago, but he's not improving? Kenny will get on his bike and try to fight him like he did Huerta, but Sherk is a different animal, not as sloppy. Florian does not have BJ's power and coconut head, it would not look like their fight did.

It was a lot more like a close fight than it was to a romp so my point is still valid.

Kenny was a very one dimensional guy at that point and still Sherk couldn't finish him. I guess I'm just not a huge fan of the wrestling guys who mainly lay on the guy and try to GnP the whole fight but I respect it and a win is a win...I just don't see how people are so quick to throw Florian under the bus just because he's no wrestling stud?

BJ Penn is a big threat to Florian. Sherk and the other wrestlers win only by a decision. Florian's striking is on another level these days compared to his old Sherk fight days. It's not even close. almost 3 years for a guy who trains like Florian is a very long time.

if you expect to see the same type of fight you're out of your mind.

[ftwrestler]

Originally Posted by CR123

I'm thinking Sherk vs. Ken 2 is in the works win or lose.

I think the rematch will be different, Sherk looks like a different fighter in a bad way...see his BJ loss..he looked passive and I can't remember him looking for a take down and trying to tire BJ out.

Kenny looks like a beast now...crisp striking, improved power, and great BJJ.

Not to mention the last fight went to Decision and Sherk is free of his "little boost" he had before.

sherk's "little boost" pales in comparison to his work ethic. he didnt even know he was taking it and i believe he will be just fine in the LW division

[HardGainer82]

Originally Posted by iamgenus

It was a lot more like a close fight than it was to a romp so my point is still valid.

Kenny was a very one dimensional guy at that point and still Sherk couldn't finish him. I guess I'm just not a huge fan of the wrestling guys who mainly lay on the guy and try to GnP the whole fight but I respect it and a win is a win...I just don't see how people are so quick to throw Florian under the bus just because he's no wrestling stud?

BJ Penn is a big threat to Florian. Sherk and the other wrestlers win only by a decision. Florian's striking is on another level these days compared to his old Sherk fight days. It's not even close. almost 3 years for a guy who trains like Florian is a very long time.

if you expect to see the same type of fight you're out of your mind.

How was it a close fight? Because Florian landed one elbow in 25 minutes? I realize that now that you don't appreciate control and GNP, but just because a guy doesn't get finished doesn't mean the fight was even.

No, I expect Kenny to angle more and work more leg kicks, instead of running from the takedowns. I also expect Sherk to plant him again, and with the use of BOTH arms this time, to damage him badly or finish him.

I'm not throwing Kenny under any bus...I think he's improved tremendously and he's probably top three in the division. But Sherk is the worst possible matchup for him, and remains as such.

[iamgenus]

Originally Posted by HardGainer82

How was it a close fight? Because Florian landed one elbow in 25 minutes? I realize that now that you don't appreciate control and GNP, but just because a guy doesn't get finished doesn't mean the fight was even.

No, I expect Kenny to angle more and work more leg kicks, instead of running from the takedowns. I also expect Sherk to plant him again, and with the use of BOTH arms this time, to damage him badly or finish him.

I'm not throwing Kenny under any bus...I think he's improved tremendously and he's probably top three in the division. But Sherk is the worst possible matchup for him, and remains as such.

Don't get me wrong...just because I don't like seeing fights won this way doesn't mean I don't appreciate control and GNP...more so GNP as it actually gives damage to the other person.

I don't ever see decisions as owning someone unless it's similar to GSP vs Fitch. Winning all 5 rounds 10 to 9 imo isn't owning someone. And that was my main point. Kenny didn't get owned in the last fight when Sherk was clearly the much better fighter.

So I don't think it's far fetched to say that after 2/3 years of killer training Florian will not be a totally different fighter out there.

I know it's easier said than done(my takedown defense blows) but if Kenny stops Sherk's takedowns I don't see Sherk having a chance in this.

Either way I'd be thrilled to see the rematch.

[Kane Fan]

Originally Posted by iamgenus

Sherk is Florian's kryptonite? The fight went to a 5 round decision and Sherk was bleeding all over the place(which in hingsight probably gave him an advantage over KFlo)

Maybe Sherk is Florian's hang nail or something...hardlly kryptonite. Not at this stage in their games.

There are guys in MMA who you can see the progression based on their training. GSP is one of those guys, Florian is one of those guys. Sherk is not at least not at this age.

in Sherk's defence that is probubly because his starting point was sufficent to let him fight up 15 lbs and only lose to the absolute top level of world class fighter in that heavier division. On top of this his loss to Hughes was fairly close faught

[Kane Fan]

Originally Posted by iamgenus

Don't get me wrong...just because I don't like seeing fights won this way doesn't mean I don't appreciate control and GNP...more so GNP as it actually gives damage to the other person.

I don't ever see decisions as owning someone unless it's similar to GSP vs Fitch. Winning all 5 rounds 10 to 9 imo isn't owning someone. And that was my main point. Kenny didn't get owned in the last fight when Sherk was clearly the much better fighter.

So I don't think it's far fetched to say that after 2/3 years of killer training Florian will not be a totally different fighter out there.

I know it's easier said than done(my takedown defense blows) but if Kenny stops Sherk's takedowns I don't see Sherk having a chance in this.

Either way I'd be thrilled to see the rematch.

winning a fight 5 rounds to none CAN be a close fight, but it can also be a fairly dominant victory
I mean realistically that means the other person could have just not bothered to come to the fight

[LatsMakeTheMan]

Diego beat Florian in 2005. 4 frickin years ago.

That's like ranking Tito Ortiz over Wandy in 2007.