Original TUF champ Diego Sanchez has been viewed as a fairly enigmatic individual since bursting onto the UFC scene six years ago with a raw intensity only matched by his at times curious behavior. Matured by both the battles he’s faced in his personal and professional life, the 29-year old now seems to have found some clarity in his life after returning home to train with Greg Jackson in preparation for his UFC 121 bout with Paulo Thiago.

Sanchez spoke about his journey back to Albuquerque earlier today in a conference call with media where he discussed his newfound love of training, the reason he’s shedding his long-time nickname, and how far down he’d actually sunk after losing in such a clear-cut fashion to B.J. Penn at UFC 107.

“I went through a really rough situation in San Diego that brought me into a lot of emotional depression and that weighed hard on me, and the Penn fight was really hard for me the way I lost – getting cut up, getting hands put on me the way I did,” Sanchez explained of his motivation in moving back to New Mexico. “That never happened to me in my career. So, I had to deal with that and when I came home I moved out of the city and I moved into the mountains and that was the best thing I ever did.”

“I hit rock bottom after the Penn fight, I really did. I blew through all my money. I made bad decisions. Scam artists scammed me real bad. I was in debt over $175,000. I had to come back home. I needed my family’s love. I was humbled 100% back down to zero. I have no ego.”

In reference to his loss to John Hathaway, Sanchez replied he was still in a funk even drinking beer after training and didn’t take the Brit seriously at all. Crediting the isolation with restoring his focus on the sport rather than its trappings, Sanchez also made it clear he’s done cutting down to compete as a lightweight.

“The options are closed for me to ever go down to 155 again,” the 22-4 fighter began on the topic. “I brought in an Olympic wrestler and he’s a big 185 pounder and about an inch taller than me. He’s real big on lifting weights and so we go and we lift weights every day after practice. And we hit it hard…I’m doing power lifts, I’m doing squats, I’m doing kettle lifts…and that’s on top our (regular) training.

“It’s really motivated me to be strong,” Sanchez continued. “In my last fight I was really prepared, I worked hard, but I wasn’t physically strong and that’s something you’ve got to have being a welterweight. That’s something I’ve really worked on and I think fans are going to be surprised when they see the way I look, the way I feel…and the way I’m able to (assert) my will with my physical strength.”

Due to his newfound approach to life and interest in putting the past behind him Sanchez also explained his decision to drop “Nightmare” as his nickname, saying in retrospect he was his own “nightmare”.

“I don’t want to represent that. I want to represent positivity and good…the nightmare was myself. All of the times I fell off track and got into drinking and into smoking weed…the things that brought me down, the partying. That was my nightmare, I was my own nightmare, so you know I said, ‘I’m growing up. I’m gonna let that name go and I just want to be Diego Sanchez. I’m me and that’s it.”

On top of the popular Ultimate Fighter winner’s clash with well-rounded XTreme Couture competitor Kampmann, fans can also catch decorated amateur wrestlers C.B. Dollaway and Mark Munoz mix it up in main card action at “UFC on Versus: Sanchez vs. Kampmann”. The show will go live on Versus at 8:00 PM EST.Similar Posts:

• Diego Sanchez expected to mix it up with Martin Kampmann on Versus in March
• Report: Sanchez vs. Penn at UFC 74
• Analyzing A One Sided Beatdown: B.J. Penn vs. Diego Sanchez
• Diego Sanchez expresses interest in divisional double-dipping
• Diego Sanchez already focused on B.J. Penn rematch

UFC comes to Kentucky

The UFC announced today that the organization will be bringing its third “UFC on Versus” event to Louisville, Kentucky, on March 3, 2011. The event will be held in the brand new KFC Yum! Center in downtown Louisville. This also marks the first time that the promotion has ever held an event in the “Bluegrass State.” This is by far the biggest event in Kentucky MMA history and it should do wonders for the local community in terms of bringing publicity to the state’s burgeoning local MMA scene. CageCraze.com has been in talks with Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling (KBWA) representatives about the early rumors surrounding this event but it brings us great joy to see that the event is now official.

The main event for “UFC on Versus 3: Sanchez vs. Kampmann” is a very intriguing matchup between Ultimate Fighter Season One winner, Diego Sanchez, and the “Hitman,” Martin Kampmann. Kampmann is coming off of a decision loss to Jake Shields at UFC 121 and Diego Sanchez comes into the fight after beating Paulo Thiago on the same card. Jake Shields stymied Kampmann by controlling him on the ground but Sanchez will be more willing to stand and trade with the Danish fighter.

Also announced today were five additional bouts for the event in Louisville. Mark Munoz was rumored to be fighting on this card and today we learned that his opponent will be C.B. Dolloway. Dolloway has been on a tear in the UFC lately, winning five of his last six fights. Mark Munoz has won four of his last five fights since losing to Matt Hamill at UFC 96. Dolloway and Munoz both love to push the pace and the winner will advance further up the ladder in the UFC’s middleweight division. The full (confirmed) card can be found below. Stay tuned to CageCraze.com for more information regarding “UFC on Versus 3: Sanchez vs. Kampmann”

UFC on Versus 3: Sanchez vs. Kampmann – Visit UFC.com for ticket information

March 3, 2011

KFC Yum! Center – Louisville, Kentucky

9:00PM Eastern on Versus

Fight Card

Diego Sanchez vs. Martin Kampmann

C.B. Dollaway vs. Mark Munoz

Alessio Sakara vs. Maiquel Jose Falcao Goncalves

Brian Bowles vs. Damacio Page

Takeya Mizugaki vs. Francisco Rivera

Shane Roller vs. Thiago Tavares

CageCraze.com is your MMA Social Network dedicated to connecting, promoting, covering and improving local MMA everywhere. Create your free profile today, and stay connected with local MMA Everywhere!

Fresh off a pair of Octagon appearances in October, welterweights Diego Sanchez and Martin Kampmann look to be squaring off on March 3 when the promotion returns to Versus for a third time. The show will also mark the organization’s first event on the network since absorbing its regular MMA staple, WEC.

News of the bout was reported by MMAJunkie who confirmed the potential pairing with a source close to the involved individuals.

The match-up should prove an interesting one if it does indeed come together. Neither Kampmann or Sanchez have been submitted in the ring while both also possess a respectable balance between tap-out/TKO victories on their respective records.

Sanchez is 22-4 overall with notable wins in the past over Paulo Thiago, Ken Florian, Nick Diaz, Clay Guida, and Joe Stevenson. He is 1-1 since returning to welterweight after a run at the UFC 155-pound championship, a title-bout loss against B.J. Penn also marking the only time “Nightmare” has been finished in his career.

His XTreme Couture-trained opponent will be looking to right the proverbial ship against Sanchez, as “The Hitman” is coming off a split decision loss to former Strikeforce middleweight champ Jake Shields at UFC 121. Prior to the outpointing, Kampmann had gone 13-2 over his previous fifteen fights including wins over Thiago, Thales Leites, Jorge Rivera, and Carlos Condit.
Similar Posts:

• Kenny Florian vs. Clay Guida set for UFC 107
• Diego Sanchez expresses interest in divisional double-dipping
• Martin Kampmann signs new four-fight contract with the UFC
• Report: Diego Sanchez vs. Clay Guida to headline TUF 9 finale
• Mike Swick vs. Martin Kampmann at UFC 103

Welcome back to another edition of “MMA Link Club”, Five Ounces of Pain‘s weekly smorgasbord of work from our brothers and sisters in the MMA community. Enjoy…

Dana White Discusses his Initial Meeting with Fedor Emelianenko (Versus.com)

UFC and THQ Extend Partnership for “Undisputed” Title (MMAConvert.com)

Martin Kampmann is Ready to Expose Jake Shields in the Ring (Heavy.com)

Claude Patrick Not Happy with UFC 120 Win (FIGHT! Magazine)

Joe Rogan Does His Best Mauro Renallo Impersonation (MMAScraps.com)

Mike Pyle Talks About Handing John Hatahway his First Career Loss (WatchKalibRun.com)

Chris Horodecki Could Be Fighting Donald Cerrone at WEC 53 (CagePotato.com)

Josh Barnett has a Message for Fabricio Werdum (MiddleEasy.com)

Tito Ortiz Talks Health, No Longer Drinking (MMAFighting.com)

Similar Posts:

• 5 Oz. MMA Link Club
• 5 Oz. MMA Link Club
• 5 Oz. MMA Link Club
• 5 Oz. MMA Link Club
• 5 Oz. MMA Link Club

Welcome back to another edition of “MMA Link Club”, Five Ounces of Pain‘s weekly smorgasbord of work from our brothers and sisters in the MMA community. Enjoy…

Dana White Discusses his Initial Meeting with Fedor Emelianenko (Versus.com)

UFC and THQ Extend Partnership for “Undisputed” Title (MMAConvert.com)

Martin Kampmann is Ready to Expose Jake Shields in the Ring (Heavy.com)

Claude Patrick Not Happy with UFC 120 Win (FIGHT! Magazine)

Joe Rogan Does His Best Mauro Renallo Impersonation (MMAScraps.com)

Mike Pyle Talks About Handing John Hatahway his First Career Loss (WatchKalibRun.com)

Chris Horodecki Could Be Fighting Donald Cerrone at WEC 53 (CagePotato.com)

Josh Barnett has a Message for Fabricio Werdum (MiddleEasy.com)

Tito Ortiz Talks Health, No Longer Drinking (MMAFighting.com)

Similar Posts:

• 5 Oz. MMA Link Club
• 5 Oz. MMA Link Club
• 5 Oz. MMA Link Club
• 5 Oz. MMA Link Club
• 5 Oz. MMA Link Club

PRESE RELEASE / NEW YORK (Sept. 15, 2010) – Top-10 world-ranked welterweight, Paul Daley, has signed a multi-fight deal with Strikeforce

The 5-foot-9, 27-year-old native of London who fights out of Nottingham, England, has won two straight and six of his last seven. Overall, the cocky, brash seven-year pro is 25-9-2.

Nicknamed “Semtex” after an explosive that British armed forces use to demolish large structures, Daley is coming off a unanimous three-round decision over recent Strikeforce signee, Jorge Masvidal, last Saturday, September 11th. It was the first time since July 1, 2006, that Daley had won a fight on points.

Daley is a freelance mixed martial artist whose style is an aggressive mix of striking, striking and more striking.

“I am a striker – there is no secret about that,’’ the exciting British bomber said. “I like to knock people out aggressively and quickly. That’s my game and no opponent’s going to change that. Almost all my fights are exciting and memorable with non-stop action.’’

Daley specializes in Muay Thai (Dutch style). He utilizes lead leg kicks often and possesses devastating knees and quick, heavy hands.

“I’m looking forward to fighting for Strikeforce and would really love to fight (current Strikeforce welterweight champ) Nick Diaz,’’ Daley said. “He’s a big name and a great fighter. Diaz would bring out the best in me and would be a great test.’’

Daley, who has compiled a highlight reel of impressive knockout victories, has competed against some of the best since turning professional in June 2003. Three of his most significant victories came against Masvidal, a 2:24, first-round KO (punches) over Dustin Hazelett on January 2nd, 2010, and a 2:31, first-round TKO (punches) over Martin Kampmann on September 19th, 2009.

A former Cage Rage champion, Daley appeared on a Strikeforce co-promoted card on June 22, 2007. On the undercard of Frank Shamrock vs. Phil Baroni in San Jose, California, he registered a second-round TKO (punches) over Duane “Bang’’ Ludwig.

Daley was introduced to martial arts when he began taking karate at the age of 7. Besides England, he also trains in Holland. For a time several years ago, Daley was involved in a project with Mothers Against Guns in London.

Paul “Semtex” Daley (24-9-2) had to hear it from a fan that he’d be released from the UFC according to the fighter who spoke to MMAWeekly.com Radio in a recent interview.

Daley was cut after his UFC 113 bout for punching opponent Josh Koscheck well after the sound of the third round bell.

“Semtex” realizes his mistake and that life will go on, but is a little bitter that UFC president Dana White never even bothered to speak to him personally about the incident.

“Dana White’s character, I would have expected nothing less than getting kicked out of the UFC. He could have done it a little more gracefully and told me personally.

“But still to this day, I’ve had no phone call, no e-mail, no nothing, so that just goes to show the treatment I received having fought (Martin) Kampmann at late notice, and fought co-main event on my second fight in the UFC, and done a bunch of media work for them in the U.K. There’s some things I don’t agree with, but I’m happy to move on.”

Daley is set to face Jorge Masvidal this Saturday night on the Shark Fights 13 main card. The British striker is coming off a win over Daniel Acacio in Australia at the Impact FC The Uprsing: Sydney event earlier this summer.

Paul “Semtex” Daley (24-9-2) had to hear it from a fan that he’d be released from the UFC according to the fighter who spoke to MMAWeekly.com Radio in a recent interview.

Daley was cut after his UFC 113 bout for punching opponent Josh Koscheck well after the sound of the third round bell.

“Semtex” realizes his mistake and that life will go on, but is a little bitter that UFC president Dana White never even bothered to speak to him personally about the incident.

“Dana White’s character, I would have expected nothing less than getting kicked out of the UFC. He could have done it a little more gracefully and told me personally.

“But still to this day, I’ve had no phone call, no e-mail, no nothing, so that just goes to show the treatment I received having fought (Martin) Kampmann at late notice, and fought co-main event on my second fight in the UFC, and done a bunch of media work for them in the U.K. There’s some things I don’t agree with, but I’m happy to move on.”

Daley is set to face Jorge Masvidal this Saturday night on the Shark Fights 13 main card. The British striker is coming off a win over Daniel Acacio in Australia at the Impact FC The Uprsing: Sydney event earlier this summer.

October is synonymous with the giving of sweets so it’s only appropriate the UFC has decided to give Mixed Martial Arts fans a treat of their own. According to the promotion’s weekly Ultimate Insider show, heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar and undefeated top contender Cain Velasquez will allow the “UFC Primetime” cameras to follow their final march towards UFC 121’s headlining bout.

The series will debut on October 6th with additional episodes planned for October 13th and October 20th. It will mark the first time heavyweights have been highlighted on the popular feature, as the previous three monitored the training and daily lives of Georges St. Pierre and opponents Dan Hardy/BJ Penn, as well Rashad Evans and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson prior to their feud’s culmination at UFC 114.

UFC 121 is scheduled for October 23rd at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. In addition to Lesnar’s title defense against Velasquez, the show is also slated to involve former Strikeforce/EliteXC champion Jake Shields’ Octagon debut against Martin Kampmann, Tito Ortiz fighting former Ultimate Fighter pupil Matt Hamill, Diego Sanchez slugging it out with Paulo Thiago, and a heavyweight clash between Brendan Schaub and Gabriel Gonzaga.

As expected the Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to California and Anaheim's Honda Center for UFC 121.

The Oct. 23 event features a heavyweight title fight between champion Brock Lesnar and top contender Cain Velasquez.

Also announced and completing the pay-per-view main card are welterweights Martin Kampmann vs. Jake Shields, welterweights Diego Sanchez vs. Paulo Thiago, light heavyweights Matt Hamill vs. Tito Ortiz, and heavyweights Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Brendan Schaub.