UFC On Fuel 1 Rapid Reaction Diego Sanchez Needs To Change Or Retire
by Cory Braiterman on Feb 15, 2012 11:21 PM EST
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There's a term that gets used in this sport a lot called "evolution". Earlier today in fact, Jack brought up the de-evolution or over-evolution of Rampage Jackson into a mostly one-dimensional fighter. Throughout the past few years, we've witnessed Diego Sanchez roar into the octagon 17 times, and 17 times it's been pretty much exactly the same Diego Sanchez. It got him some measure of success - he won TUF1, and got a title shot at lightweight, but ever since then, real success has eluded him. It's easy to say that B.J. Penn took his soul, but that's just a fun meme. What's really happened is that the top levels of the division are just better than Diego Sanchez.
Diego hasn't added anything to his arsenal since 2005 and it's gotten painfully clear that if he ever wants to find success in this sport in the small time that he has left, he needs to change, and fast. I don't mean finding Jesus and renouncing weed, because quite frankly in my opinion, it's just going all-in from one addiction to another. He can be a sucker for women, weed, booze, religion or whatever he wants, but unless he starts really incorporating some MT, BJJ and better technical boxing, he's going to fail to those that out-physical him. Personally, I think his best chance for success is to drop back down to lightweight where his size-disadvantage becomes an advantage. At 170, he sports a muffin-top and sports an 0-3 record since 2007 to Josh Koscheck, Jon Fitch and Jake Ellenberger - three people who are just better MMA wrestlers than he is.
To be quite honest, I don't think he will ever be a champion in the UFC, and if his dream is to truly have gold around his waist, he needs to swim in shallower waters. That said, I'm going to assume that he continues to fight in the UFC, he probably won't ever change up his style, regardless of the losses, and will never be more than a gatekeeper. Perhaps he goes and proves me wrong, but personally, I think that unless he wants to stop having broken parts in his face, he needs to seriously change his stubborn style, fight lesser competition, or just hang them up.
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Horrible article..
I read this article to agree that sanchez needs change, To say retire is def extreme did you see the fight?? Anyway yes his striking needs ALOT of work but his bjj?? are you shitting me? he’s a black belt under gracie, brown belt under Saulo Ribeiro and a black belt under whatever system greg jackson uses… Retire he hurt jake in that fight twice in the third before the onslaught after REVERSING the takedown jake would of been done for had ufc main events were 5 rounds like they have stated over and over… I do agree with you about his striking that def needs work as well as a better wrestling coach but you sir are a moron to think he needs to retire and work on bjj striking a def yes and retirement smfh…
Mind the profanity laced attacks please
You can disagree with his article without calling him names and you know, in my opinion, you’d get some worthwhile discussion going if you had said something like “you are going overboard when you suggest he retires”.
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Reach me here: LukeNelsonMMA@gmail.com
by Luke Nelson on Feb 16, 2012 12:16 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
What Luke said
and yes, work on his BJJ. When’s the last time you’ve seen him utilize his takedowns into anything other than ground and pound? How many submissions does he attempt per match? I’ll save you the trouble of looking it up, it ain’t many
The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com
by Cory Braiterman on Feb 16, 2012 12:31 AM EST up reply actions
Oh
you say he’s 0-3 since 07? you named the l’s he took (even tho the fitch l was highly contested) paulo thiago and kampmann guess you forgot about them huh and the big ass gap in between kos and fitch like David Bielkheden, Luigi Fioravanti, Joe Stevenson, & Guida gtfoh with this biased article… Now delete my account off this shit website
Wow
This is a terrible write-up, sir.
Your obvious bias, and not so thinly veiled shots at Diego’s religious fervor, are just tough to read through.
Some of the statements you make here are just ridiculous, and you come off as a hater, and pretty much, a keyboard warrior.
its a mental failing imo
he’s gotten suckered by women, suckered by drugs and now suckered into thinking that faith will change everything. He’s traded one habit for another.
The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com
by Cory Braiterman on Feb 16, 2012 12:39 AM EST up reply actions
Also
Diego has explcitly stated that “the options are closed” for him to go back down to LW. Basically stating that he wouldn’t be able to make that cut again.
If you look at his physique, he has really put on a lot of thick weight, which has some fat, but a lot of muscle. I’m not sure that he could ever get close to as lean as he was back in ’09…
He said tonight
That it’s hard for him to maintain 170 and 155 is open.
If he can’t get to 155 and doesn’t mind never sniffing gold again, he can be a new Chris Lytle. If he’s after the strap, he ain’t ever gonna find it at 170 in the UFC
The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com
by Cory Braiterman on Feb 16, 2012 12:33 AM EST up reply actions
Tough crowd Cory
I generally tend to look at things differently than you but I actually agree on this one.
The fact is guys, Cory is right when he says Diego really hasn’t evolved a ton since he burst on the scene. His pace and physical strength is good enough to keep him in and around the top 15 but he won’t be there forever, fighters do grow old.
Another TUF 1 guy, Stephan Bonnard, has evolved his game to keep himself relevant. Nothing wrong with suggesting Diego do the same.
New author at Head Kick Legend
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by Luke Nelson on Feb 16, 2012 12:35 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I've been posting this on IRC
there’s tons of trolls there
The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com
by Cory Braiterman on Feb 16, 2012 12:38 AM EST up reply actions
So people who disagree with you are automatically trolls?
I’m sorry sir, I’m unimpressed with your article, and I’m becoming unimpressed by you.
I’ve only recently stumbled upon the site, and I’ve seen some good content here, and it’s a shame that there isn’t more activity on this site… But this article, and your dismissive responses are offputting.
And where did you hear him say that it’s tough for him to maintain 170? The only thing I heard him say about LW is “155 is never out of the question” and then “More than likely I’ll probably be staying at Welterweight.” And Like I said, prior to tonight, he has explicitly stated that “the options are closed” for him to go back down.
by RemyLebeaux on Feb 16, 2012 12:55 AM EST up reply actions
like I say
And no, I’m referring to people like the first commenter who can’t make a sentence without a personal attack, rather than the story. You’re welcome to disagree with my opinion, I used words like “personally” and “opinion” multiple times in the article to try and make that very clear. Random nonsense like his and that you included such as “keyboard warrior” don’t actually address the article and as such, are dismissed (by me) as trolling.
Try actually addressing the article instead of addressing me and I’ll have a great chat with you. Personal attacks are just dumb.
The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com
by Cory Braiterman on Feb 16, 2012 1:17 AM EST up reply actions
irc?
Pat Barry made a wrestle - some schmuk in texas
I don't know more about MMA than you, I just act like it at HeadKickLegend
Follow me on Twitter @chris81203
chat program
conference call style
The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com
by Cory Braiterman on Feb 16, 2012 2:08 AM EST up reply actions
ok cool
never heard of it
Pat Barry made a wrestle - some schmuk in texas
I don't know more about MMA than you, I just act like it at HeadKickLegend
Follow me on Twitter @chris81203
you'd think that a nerd that went to valpo
would know this stuff :P
The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com
by Cory Braiterman on Feb 16, 2012 2:10 AM EST up reply actions
I notice that nobody here has a real disagreement to the main point of the post which is that
Diego Sanchez has failed to evolve and the sport has passed him by. He will always have a chance to win fights against mid-lower tier guys but he has remained stagnant while his competition has lapped him. His heart and toughness will only take him so far.
and my little extra point: When his chin goes. It is going to be a horrific ending to his career.
Writing things on occasion @ Head Kick Legend.
Team Captain for Ruining Your Special Night. That's what we do.
"Just call me the gals guide gal." - RolloTomasi
Liddell-like
will the ending be, Joe
The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com
by Cory Braiterman on Feb 16, 2012 1:29 AM EST up reply actions
Your Right Sorry...
Didn’t mean to attack you won’t happen again. I hope you can accept my apology…
not a problem
I’d love good conversation taking the other side if someone can get some good reasons. Feel free to tell me my premise is wrong and here are the reasons why. Criticism is good, especially if I can learn something I didn’t know before.
The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com
by Cory Braiterman on Feb 16, 2012 1:39 AM EST up reply actions
I disagree with you Cory
Not that he’s lacked the ability to change his game. That’s just a fact. But he’s still competitive at the top of the division. No reason to retire now
Pat Barry made a wrestle - some schmuk in texas
I don't know more about MMA than you, I just act like it at HeadKickLegend
Follow me on Twitter @chris81203
I don't think he should retire
as the man’s got to make a living. But he has no shot at sniffing the title.
And you are DEAD on about this weird “obsessive” thing he has going on. I swear, before every couple fights he is obsessed with something else. Didn’t he go through a Stevia stage as well?
www.themindofshadow.blogspot.com/
yes
The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com
by Cory Braiterman on Feb 16, 2012 7:26 PM EST up reply actions
I think you went too far here Cory
the rest i have already commented for your article on BE site so i will not go deep into details here , just 2 things i would mention to you : Fight of the night winner and UFC on Fuel topped the PPV stats with this event thats it. He s one of the best, and got nothing to be ashamed of. Name me fighters that brutalised Ellenberger to this measure. Diego had some serious ankle problems before this fight and this seemed but he again proved he is still a top contender and there needs absolutely no reason to handle him as if he was a 11-15 fighter.
Follow me on Twitter: @szanpan
BE Civil War 2 Team: krcambell
"Maybe I m high.. maybe I'm not... maybe fuck you? Nick Diaz"
If you want to write about a fighter who is falsely a top prospect
whose fight was seriously pathetic and whose career is really in danger than its Mayhem Miller who should REALLY consider retiring
Follow me on Twitter: @szanpan
BE Civil War 2 Team: krcambell
"Maybe I m high.. maybe I'm not... maybe fuck you? Nick Diaz"
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