| Diego Sanchez | |
|---|---|
 Diego Sanchez in 2009 | |
| Born | (1981-12-31)December 31, 1981 (age 43) Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Nickname | The Nightmare |
| Residence | Alburquerque,New Mexico, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb) |
| Division |
|
| Reach | 72 in (183 cm)[1] |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Fighting out of | Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Team | Jackson Wink MMA Academy (2002–2007, 2010–2019)[2] |
| Rank | Black belt inGaidojutsu[3] Black belt inBrazilian Jiu-Jitsuunder Roberto Tussa[4][3] |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 44 |
| Wins | 30 |
| By knockout | 10 |
| By submission | 6 |
| By decision | 13 |
| By disqualification | 1 |
| Losses | 14 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| By decision | 10 |
| Other information | |
| University | [5] |
| Notable school | Del Norte High School |
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |
Diego Sanchez (born December 31, 1981) is an American professionalmixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 2002, Sanchez is most known for his time in theUltimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he won the Middleweight tournament ofThe Ultimate Fighter 1, and later challenged for theUFC Lightweight Championship in 2009. He has also formerly competed forKing of the Cage, where he was theWelterweight Champion.
Sanchez has been involved in more "Fight of the Year" bouts than any other fighter in mixed martial arts; his first was againstKaro Parisyan atUFC Fight Night 6, and then again againstClay Guida atThe Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale (which culminated into atitle shot against then-UFC Lightweight ChampionB.J. Penn, where the two headlinedUFC 107), and finally againstGilbert Melendez atUFC 166.
Sanchez is one of two fighters to have competed in four different weight classes in theUFC:Middleweight,Welterweight,Lightweight, andFeatherweight; the other beingKenny Florian.
Sanchez was born to aMexican American family on December 31, 1981. He was raised inAlbuquerque, New Mexico, where he still resides. Albuquerque is also the location of his training camp.[citation needed]
Sanchez was a high school state champion in wrestling as a senior before he started training mixed martial arts while working forUPS. Sanchez eventually joinedJackson's Submission Fighting, still while working for UPS, managing the time between work and training.[citation needed]
Sanchez made hisMMA debut in 2002 in the promotion Ring of Fire, despite having injured his heel the night before. Sanchez mostly went for takedowns, while his opponent, who was a more developed striker, bloodied the young Sanchez. However, Sanchez continued to use hiswrestling expertise, landed another takedown in the second round, taking his opponent's back, then sinking in arear-naked choke, causing his opponent to tap. This made Sanchez the winner bysubmission, who then earned $600 for the bout. He then went on to compile an undefeated 11-0 record before becoming a contestant onThe Ultimate Fighter.
Sanchez was chosen as a participant in the first season of the reality show,The Ultimate Fighter. Presented as a young, focused middleweight who only had one goal, to become aUFC champion. He won a contract with the UFC after defeating fellow finalistKenny Florian via TKO, becoming themiddleweight winner for the first season of the show. On the show, Sanchez was known for being the "odd-ball" of the group, practicingyoga at odd moments and trying to extract "energy" from a lightning storm, and was also a self-proclaimed "Zen master".
Sanchez made his post-TUF debut defeating journeymanBrian Gassaway by submission due to strikes atUFC 54 on August 20, 2005.[6]
Sanchez next defeatedNick Diaz via unanimous decision atThe Ultimate Fighter 2 Finale on November 5, 2005.
Sanchez won a unanimous decision overJohn Alessio on May 27, 2006, atUFC 60.[7]
Sanchez continued his undefeated streak with a unanimous decision victory overjudo specialistKaro Parisyan atUFC Fight Night 6 on August 17, 2006. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.
Sanchez facedJoe Riggs on December 13, 2006, in the main event ofUFC Fight Night 7. Sanchez landed a right hook that knocked Riggs down, followed by a running knee that knocked Riggs out at 1:45 of the first round. Sanchez subsequently tested positive for the agents found in marijuana and was sentenced to a three-month suspension.[8]
Sanchez was then cleared to fightJosh Koscheck atUFC 69.[9] At the weigh-ins for the event, Sanchez shoved Koscheck while they stared each other down. Sanchez ended up losing a unanimous decision to Koscheck, ending his undefeated run, in a fight that was virtually all stand up. Koscheck managed to keep Sanchez at bay with superior hand speed and footwork until the bout timed out, to take the win 30–27 on all three judges' cards.[10] Several weeks after the fight,Dana White announced that Sanchez was sick on the eve of the fight and almost had to retire when a test came back indicating he hadHepatitis C.[11] Doctors eventually concluded the test results were not correct, but could not diagnose his sickness, so the fight went ahead as planned. The day after the fight Sanchez had a hole in his thigh the "size of a coffee cup" and was diagnosed with astaph infection.[12]
In his next bout, Sanchez lost his second straight fight by split decision toJon Fitch atUFC 76 on September 22, 2007, before rebounding againstDavid Bielkheden atUFC 82 with a submission win in the first round due to strikes. Following the win, Sanchez stoppedLuigi Fioravanti via TKO due to strikes at 4:07 of the third round atThe Ultimate Fighter 7 Finale. After pulling out of a fight withThiago Alves due to an injury, Sanchez announced he would be moving to the lightweight division.[13]
He made his lightweight debut in his next fight on February 21, 2009, atUFC 95 againstJoe Stevenson.[14] Training for the bout Sanchez worked with professional boxersJoey Gilbert andLupe Aquino, Brazilian grappling expertsXande andSaulo Ribeiro and wrestling coach Bob Anderson.[15] Although Stevenson pressed the action throughout the bout, Sanchez landed the better strikes and won by unanimous decision.[16] Both fighters earned aFight of the Night bonus award.[17] Diego creditsTony Robbins for giving him mental preparation for this latest fight, and was seen entering the bout chanting "Yes!" repeatedly. This would go on to inspire the "Yes!" chant, popularized by professional wrestler,Daniel Bryan.
On June 20, 2009, Sanchez won a split-decision victory againstClay Guida at the finale ofThe Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom Finale.[18] Sanchez wonFight of the Night honors, his second such award in a row.[19] Opening up with a seemingly endless barrage of jabs and right uppercuts for the first minute he shook Guida, in the first round Sanchez also connected with a head kick that floored his opponent. Sanchez maintained a superior standup through the first round and the rest of the fight, though Guida rallied and made a contest of the next two rounds in a closely contested match. The fight went on to win "Fight of the Year" by several MMA magazines and the UFC.[20][21]
AtUFC 107 on December 12, 2009, Sanchez fought and lost toB.J. Penn for the UFC Lightweight Championship. Early in the first round, Penn landed a right hand that dropped Sanchez, followed by flurry of punches that almost prompted referee Herb Dean to stop the fight. Although Sanchez was able to recover enough to stay in the bout, he was outclassed in the following four rounds that saw Penn dominate with superior stand up, whilst all 27 takedown attempts made by Sanchez were negated by Penn's superior defense. Early in the fifth round, Penn landed a head kick that caused a large cut to be opened up on the forehead of Sanchez. Herb Dean called the action to a halt for doctor's advice and the fight ended at 2:37 by TKO, marking the first time Sanchez has been stopped in a fight.[22] This also marked only the second fight in UFC history to end in the fifth round. At the post-fight press conference, UFC PresidentDana White was quoted saying Sanchez was "about as busted up as I've ever seen a guy."[23] Sanchez had his bottom lip completely split open, with his left eye swollen shut and a large cut above his left eyebrow.[24]
Sanchez returned to the welterweight division and facedJohn Hathaway on May 29, 2010, atUFC 114.[25] In the first round of the fight, Hathaway caught Sanchez with a knee to the head as Sanchez attempted a takedown. Hathaway then dominated with ground and pound while all of Sanchez's takedown attempts were negated by Hathaway's strength. The rest of the fight saw Hathaway utilize his superior striking reach, giving him the unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–26), handing Sanchez his second consecutive loss.[26]
Sanchez rejoinedJackson's Submission Fighting for his next fight withPaulo Thiago on October 23, 2010, atUFC 121.[27] In this fight, Sanchez utilized his wrestling to control and punish Thiago in the second and third rounds. He also picked up Thiago and slammed him to the mat while screaming, Sanchez won the bout via unanimous decision.[28] This win earned him theFight of the Night award.[29]
Sanchez defeatedMartin Kampmann by a unanimous decision on March 3, 2011, atUFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann in a bout that earnedFight of the Night honors.[30] In the bout, Kampmann dropped Sanchez in the first round, and continued to get the better in the exchanges but Sanchez continuously pressured Kampmann into the cage to force wild exchanges in the second and third rounds. By the end of the fight, both men were bloodied up especially Sanchez, whose face was a bloody mess. Sanchez won the fight via unanimous decision.[31] The bout earned both fighters theFight of the Night award.[32]
Sanchez was expected to face former two-timeUFC Welterweight Champion and UFC Hall of FamerMatt Hughes on September 24, 2011, atUFC 135.[33] However, Sanchez had to withdraw from the bout due to a broken hand and was replaced byJosh Koscheck.[34][35]
A bout between Sanchez andJake Ellenberger was briefly linked toUFC 141.[36] However, a lingering hand injury kept Sanchez out of action until February 2012.[37]
The Ellenberger/Sanchez bout took place on February 15, 2012, atUFC on Fuel TV 1[38] Ellenberger defeated Sanchez via unanimous decision in a bout that earned both fightersFight of the Night honors.[39]
Sanchez then returned to lightweight and facedTakanori Gomi on March 2, 2013, atUFC on Fuel TV 8.[40] Sanchez failed to make the 156 lb weight limit at the weigh ins, weighing at 158 lbs. He was fined 20 percent of his earnings and the bout was contested at a catchweight of 158 lb.[41] Sanchez defeated Gomi via controversial split decision.[42] 12 of 12 media outlets scored the bout in favor of Gomi.[43]
Sanchez facedGilbert Melendez on October 19, 2013, atUFC 166.[44] He lost the fight via unanimous decision. The bout earned Sanchez his seventhFight of the Night bonus award.[45]
Sanchez facedMyles Jury on March 15, 2014, atUFC 171.[46] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[47]
Sanchez facedRoss Pearson on June 7, 2014, atUFC Fight Night 42.[48] Sanchez was outstruck in every round, even getting knocked down in the second, but was awarded the win via controversial split decision. 14 of 14 media outlets scored the bout in favor of Pearson, 13 with scores of 30-27.[49] UFC presidentDana White indicated that the organization will informally treat the bout as a win for Pearson and that he would be compensated with a $30,000 win bonus.[50]
Sanchez was expected to faceNorman Parke atUFC 180.[51] However, Parke pulled out of the bout in early October citing a knee injury and was replaced byJoe Lauzon.[52] However, on October 23, it was announced that injuries to both Sanchez and Lauzon led to the pairing being scrapped altogether.[53]
In January 2015, Sanchez had surgery to repair his collarbone that was broken in training.[54]
After a lengthy hiatus, Sanchez returned to make his debut in the Featherweight division. He facedRicardo Lamas on November 21, 2015, atThe Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale.[55] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[56]
After the one fight stint at featherweight, Sanchez returned to the lightweight division and facedJim Miller on March 5, 2016, atUFC 196.[57] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[58]
Sanchez faced longtime peerJoe Lauzon on July 9, 2016, atUFC 200.[59] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round, resulting in his first TKO loss. The only previous TKO loss Sanchez had is whenB.J. Penn stopped him with a head kick atUFC 107.[60]
Sanchez fought promotional newcomerMarcin Held on November 5, 2016, atThe Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale.[61] Sanchez won the fight via unanimous decision.[62]
Sanchez next facedAl Iaquinta on April 22, 2017 atUFC Fight Night 108.[63] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[64]
Sanchez facedMatt Brown in a welterweight bout on November 11, 2017 atUFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Pettis.[65] He lost the fight via knockout in round one.[66]
At the "JacksonWink MMA Fight Night 2" exhibition event on December 1, 2017, Sanchez faced Isaac "The Shermanator" Marquez, a man who was born withDown syndrome who dreamed of one day competing in a real mixed martial arts bout. Sanchez helped train Marquez who dedicated the fight to his late mother who died from dementia. "Most Down syndrome adults don't live past 45." Sanchez said ahead of the bout. "Isaac is 32, and I just wanted to see this young man be healthy. Exercise and martial arts are one of the most healthy things you can do." In a friendly spirited match, Marquez defeated Sanchez with a first-round submission armbar win and received a huge ovation when Sanchez tapped out.[67]
Sanchez faced Craig White on September 8, 2018 atUFC 228.[68] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[69]
Six months later, Sanchez facedMickey Gall on March 2, 2019 atUFC 235.[70]Sanchez won the fight via second round TKO.[71] This marked Sanchez's first stoppage victory since 2008, while also earning him his firstPerformance of the Night bonus award.[72]
As the final fight of his prevailing contract with the UFC, Sanchez facedMichael Chiesa on July 6, 2019 atUFC 239.[73] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[74][75]
On May 28, 2019, it was announced that the fight between Sanchez andClay Guida atThe Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale, where Sanchez defeat Guida by split decision, on June 20, 2009, will be honored to enter the UFC Hall of Fame during the international fight July 2019.[76]
Sanchez was suspended for three months byUSADA after testing positive forOstarine and S-23, the family ofselective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), where the prohibited substance was found from a tainted supplement. The suspension retroactive from October 26, 2019, and he was eligible to fight again on January 26, 2020.[77]
As the first bout of his new five-fight contract, Sanchez returned to the octagon when he facedMichel Pereira atUFC Fight Night 167 on February 15, 2020 inRio Rancho, New Mexico.[78][79] After being dominated through the bout, he eventually won the fight via disqualification after Pereira landed an illegal knee on the ground in the third round, which rendered Sanchez unable to continue.[80][81]
Sanchez facedJake Matthews on September 27, 2020 atUFC 253.[82] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[83]
Sanchez was scheduled to faceDonald Cerrone on May 8, 2021 atUFC on ESPN 24.[84] However, Sanchez was removed from the fight on April 28 for undisclosed reasons[85] and he was replaced byAlex Morono.[86] Despite not fighting, Sanchez claims the organization paid him his guaranteed purse, win money and sponsorship money.[87]
Sanchez posted a few videos on his Instagram account showing disagreements that his trainer, Joshua Fabia had with the commentary team, where Fabia believed that the organization was attempting to slight Sanchez with its coverage. Among his claims were that the UFC was aiming cameras at him to catch him and Sanchez in bad situations, or otherwise expose Fabia's unorthodox coaching style. Fabia's infamous training sessions have been widely covered since Sanchez started working with him, including Fabia chasing his fighters around with a knife. After the release of these videos, Sanchez was released from the UFC.[88][89]
On May 20, 2021, Sanchez announced that he had parted ways with Fabia.[90][91]
As the first bout of his three-fight contract, Sanchez made his debut againstKevin Lee in a 165 lbs bout on March 11, 2022 atEagle FC 46.[92][93][94] Sanchez hurt Lee's lead leg early in the fight with leg kicks, but would be overwhelmed by Lee's wrestling for a majority of the fight, losing by unanimous decision.[95]
Sanchez was scheduled to participate in a four-man grappling tournament organized byGrapplers Quest at the UFC Fan Expo in Toronto, between April 29 and 30 of 2011.[96] In the first round, he defeated Andrew McInnes by submission via kneebar.[97] Sanchez lost to Ryan Hall by points in the final round.[98]
Sanchez was scheduled to faceJake Ellenberger at Submission Underground 8.[99] Ellenberger won via fastest escape time.[100]
Sanchez was booked to compete against fellow MMA veteranJake Shields in a grappling match at High Rollerz 4.[101] Sanchez lost the superfight.[102]
Sanchez signed withBare Knuckle Fighting Championship in November 2022. After being medically cleared to compete by the New Mexico Athletic Commission, he faced formerWBA super welterweight championAustin Trout atBKFC: KnuckleMania 3 on February 17, 2023. Sanchez lost the bout via TKO in the 4th round due to doctor stoppage.[103][104][105]
Sanchez was scheduled to faceJohn Makdessi in his boxing debut on April 12, 2025 atICS Mania 1.[106] However the entire card was canceled due to contractual obligations.[107]
Sanchez was previously married to Bernadette, with whom he has a daughter.[108] He has been married to Theresa, the widow ofJohnny Tapia, since 2024.
On July 18, 2025, Sanchez was arrested on gun charges inAlbuquerque, New Mexico after allegedly firing a round from a moving vehicle as his friend drove past a traffic collision. Police officers who responded to the accident scene heard the shot and pursued the vehicle, conducted a traffic stop, and placed Sanchez under arrest. He was booked into theBernalillo County jail on charges of shooting at or from a motor vehicle, a fourth-degreefelony, and negligent use of a deadly weapon, amisdemeanor.[109]
| Submission grappling[edit]Amateur wrestling[edit]
|
| 44 matches | 30 wins | 14 losses |
| By knockout | 10 | 4 |
| By submission | 6 | 0 |
| By decision | 13 | 10 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 30–14 | Kevin Lee | Decision (unanimous) | Eagle FC 46 | March 11, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Miami, Florida, United States | Super Lightweight (165 lb) debut. |
| Loss | 30–13 | Jake Matthews | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 253 | September 27, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 30–12 | Michel Pereira | DQ (illegal knee) | UFC Fight Night: Anderson vs. Błachowicz 2 | February 15, 2020 | 3 | 3:09 | Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States | |
| Loss | 29–12 | Michael Chiesa | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 239 | July 6, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 29–11 | Mickey Gall | TKO (punches) | UFC 235 | March 2, 2019 | 2 | 4:13 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 28–11 | Craig White | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 228 | September 8, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Dallas, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 27–11 | Matt Brown | KO (elbow) | UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Pettis | November 11, 2017 | 1 | 3:44 | Norfolk, Virginia, United States | Return to Welterweight. |
| Loss | 27–10 | Al Iaquinta | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Lobov | April 22, 2017 | 1 | 1:38 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | |
| Win | 27–9 | Marcin Held | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale: dos Anjos vs. Ferguson | November 5, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Loss | 26–9 | Joe Lauzon | TKO (punches) | UFC 200 | July 9, 2016 | 1 | 1:26 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 26–8 | Jim Miller | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 196 | March 5, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Return to Lightweight. |
| Loss | 25–8 | Ricardo Lamas | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale: Magny vs. Gastelum | November 21, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Monterrey, Mexico | Featherweight debut. |
| Win | 25–7 | Ross Pearson | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov | June 7, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | |
| Loss | 24–7 | Myles Jury | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 171 | March 14, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Dallas, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 24–6 | Gilbert Melendez | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 166 | October 19, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 24–5 | Takanori Gomi | Decision (split) | UFC on Fuel TV: Silva vs. Stann | March 3, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | Return to Lightweight; Sanchez missed weight (158 lb). |
| Loss | 23–5 | Jake Ellenberger | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fuel TV: Sanchez vs. Ellenberger | February 15, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Omaha, Nebraska, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 23–4 | Martin Kampmann | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann | March 3, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Louisville, Kentucky, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 22–4 | Paulo Thiago | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 121 | October 23, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Anaheim, California, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Loss | 21–4 | John Hathaway | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 114 | May 29, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Return to Welterweight. |
| Loss | 21–3 | B.J. Penn | TKO (doctor stoppage) | UFC 107 | December 12, 2009 | 5 | 2:37 | Memphis, Tennessee, United States | For theUFC Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 21–2 | Clay Guida | Decision (split) | The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom Finale | June 20, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Fight of the Night. Fight of the Year. |
| Win | 20–2 | Joe Stevenson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 95 | February 21, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | Lightweight debut. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 19–2 | Luigi Fioravanti | TKO (knee and punches) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rampage vs. Team Forrest Finale | June 21, 2008 | 3 | 4:07 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 18–2 | David Bielkheden | TKO (submission to punches) | UFC 82 | March 1, 2008 | 1 | 4:43 | Columbus, Ohio, United States | |
| Loss | 17–2 | Jon Fitch | Decision (split) | UFC 76 | September 22, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Anaheim, California, United States | |
| Loss | 17–1 | Josh Koscheck | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 69 | April 7, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 17–0 | Joe Riggs | KO (knee) | UFC Fight Night: Sanchez vs. Riggs | December 13, 2006 | 1 | 1:45 | San Diego, California, United States | Sanchez tested positive formarijuana. |
| Win | 16–0 | Karo Parisyan | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Sanchez vs. Parisyan | August 17, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Fight of the Night. Fight of the Year. |
| Win | 15–0 | John Alessio | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 60 | May 27, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| Win | 14–0 | Nick Diaz | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter 2 Finale | November 5, 2005 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 13–0 | Brian Gassaway | TKO (submission to punches) | UFC 54 | August 20, 2005 | 2 | 1:56 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Return to Welterweight. |
| Win | 12–0 | Kenny Florian | TKO (punches) | The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale | April 9, 2005 | 1 | 2:49 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | WonThe Ultimate Fighter 1 Middleweight Tournament. |
| Win | 11–0 | Jorge Santiago | Decision (unanimous) | KOTC 37: Unfinished Business | June 12, 2004 | 3 | 5:00 | San Jacinto, California, United States | Won the vacantKOTC Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 10–0 | Ray Elbe | TKO (submission to punches) | KOTC 36: Albuquerque | May 15, 2004 | 1 | 1:07 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | |
| Win | 9–0 | Travis Beachler | TKO (punches) | Pride of Albuquerque | April 10, 2004 | 1 | 0:35 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | |
| Win | 8–0 | Cruz Chacon | Submission (rear-naked choke) | KOTC 35: Acoma | February 28, 2004 | 1 | 0:41 | Acoma, New Mexico, United States | |
| Win | 7–0 | John Cronk | Submission (kimura) | KOTC 26: Gladiator Challenge | August 3, 2003 | 2 | 1:30 | Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States | |
| Win | 6–0 | Rene Kronvold | Submission (armbar) | KOTC 24: Mayhem | June 14, 2003 | 1 | 3:39 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Mike Guymon | Submission (armbar) | KOTC 23: Sin City | May 16, 2003 | 1 | 4:57 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Jake Short | TKO (punches) | KOTC 21: Invasion | February 21, 2003 | 1 | 2:34 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | Welterweight debut. |
| Win | 3–0 | Shannon Ritch | Submission (rear-naked choke) | KOTC 20: Crossroads | December 15, 2002 | 1 | 0:59 | Bernalillo, New Mexico, United States | Middleweight bout. |
| Win | 2–0 | Jesus Sanchez | KO (punches) | Aztec Challenge 1 | September 6, 2002 | 2 | 2:33 | Ciudad Juárez, Mexico | |
| Win | 1–0 | Michael Johnson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Ring of Fire 5 | June 21, 2002 | 1 | 3:45 | Denver, Colorado, United States |
| Exhibition record breakdown | ||
| 3 matches | 3 wins | 0 losses |
| By submission | 2 | 0 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 3–0 | Josh Koscheck | Split Decision | The Ultimate Fighter 1 | March 28, 2005 (airdate) | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada | The Ultimate Fighter 1 Semi-final round. |
| Win | 2–0 | Josh Rafferty | Submission (rear-naked choke) | March 7, 2005 (airdate) | 1 | 1:48 | The Ultimate Fighter 1 Quarterfinal round. | ||
| Win | 1–0 | Alex Karalexis | Submission (rear-naked choke) | February 7, 2005 (airdate) | 1 | 1:47 |
| 1 match | 0 wins | 1 loss |
| By knockout | 0 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 0–1 | Austin Trout | TKO (doctor stoppage) | BKFC KnuckleMania 3 | February 17, 2023 | 4 | 1:44 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States |
5 - Diego Sanchez W3 (unanimous) Nick Diaz – November 5 – The Ultimate Fighter Season Two Finale
