Why did GSP never fight Diego Sanchez?

A lot of people were not watching back then and it shows.

1) They trained at the same gym (off and on for GSP). They didn't often train directly together but it was definitely a conflict and GSP joining the gym full time basically pushed Diego out and this could have EASILY been a grudge fight if Diego had remained a contender at 170 pounds but the timing did not work out. There was definitely heat between the two; Diego was Jackson's Golden Boy for a good while.

2) Diego was absolutely a legitimate contender at 170 but the Kos loss prevented a likely title shot. Note that this fight was the co-main event of UFC 69 where GSP lost to Matt Serra. The above mentioned grudge fight could have easily been next for GSP but he lost as did Diego preventing it from happening.

Diego had already beaten Kos on TUF, he was one of the biggest names at the time, and he was undefeated... criticize him in modern day all you like but he was absolutely expected to win this fight and go on to be a title contender at 170.

3) The Fitch fight was made to get Diego a big win and it backfired. UFC 76 was a DISASTER for the company as their big 3 squash fights all ended in upsets. Jardine beat Chuck, Forrest beat the incredibly hyped Shogun, and Jon Fitch beat Diego. The card also produced no knockouts and was extremely lackluster.

Dana White has ALWAYS hated Fitch's fighting style (and later personally hated him) so it's no surprise that this fighter deemed so lackluster that it took him 6 straight wins to get any form of publicity is suddenly hyped to the moon after being matched up with a popular fan favorite coming off of a loss. The UFC expected Diego to smash Fitch but in typical Fitch style, the fight ended up being a lackluster/controversial decision which handed Diego a 2nd straight loss.

Fitch, who finally got a title shot after 8 straight wins, never got a title fight again despite going 5-0 post GSP and being 21-1-1 over an 8 YEAR stretch. Talk about salty.

4) Diego never looked the same post Kos loss... but that didn't stop the UFC from gifting him a title shot at 155. Neither Stevenson or Guida were ranked at the time of Diego's fights with them (and he put on pretty shabby performances against them besides the famous 1st round of the Guida fight) but Diego still got his long awaited title shot... except at 155.

Penn had been a difficult person for the UFC in the past (and was still fresh off of the crybaby Grease-Gate bs) so I definitely think the UFC hoped Diego could take him to the deep waters and gas him out. This was one of the rare fights where Penn actually displayed any level of cardio and he ended up throttling Diego effectively ending his run as a "contender" and reducing him to "fan favorite gatekeeper" status for the rest of his career. I do wish Diego had stopped Ellenberger in the 3rd round of their fight and somehow got an unlikely shot at GSP in 2012.... but it was not meant to be.

TL/DR: They trained together and then when they stopped, GSP was pre-occupied dropping/regaining the belt while Diego ended up losing his way down a weight class. Timing was the main issue.
Great analysis. Totally agree with regard to the Guida and Stevenson fights. I was pumped to see what Diego could do down ant lightweight, really thought he was finding his groove again after stopping Fioravanti. While not a contender by any means Diego had issues taking him down but managed to put together a stoppage anyhow so I was optimistic about his ability to mix his striking with his grappling. Then he dropped down and I was underwhelmed. Despite Rogan basically giving Diego a blowjob on commentary the fight was far from a domination, and in fact towards the end it started to look like Joe probably could have won if he had used his wrestling the whole 3 rounds. And the Guida fight, while spectacular really highlighted Sanchez’s weakness against stronger grapplers while highlighting the fact that his power (while not substantial at welterweight) hadn’t followed him down a class. What’s more, his ability to weaponize pace and pressure actually seemed to be more limited at 155 through a combination of him tiring more easily and his opponents having a bigger gas tank than he was used to. Glad to see someone else look past those names and on a page and the highlight reel first round he had against Clay and see that for what it was. Only area where I disagree is the part with Penn, basically just because I don’t see how their matchmaking staff could plausibly think Sánchez was likely to beat BJ. I remember seeing a couple threads on here at the time about how Diego would be able to outwork Penn and thinking that he’d need to smuggle a gun into the cage to come out on top because he didn’t have a snowballs chance in hell lol
 
Great analysis. Totally agree with regard to the Guida and Stevenson fights. I was pumped to see what Diego could do down ant lightweight, really thought he was finding his groove again after stopping Fioravanti. While not a contender by any means Diego had issues taking him down but managed to put together a stoppage anyhow so I was optimistic about his ability to mix his striking with his grappling. Then he dropped down and I was underwhelmed. Despite Rogan basically giving Diego a blowjob on commentary the fight was far from a domination, and in fact towards the end it started to look like Joe probably could have won if he had used his wrestling the whole 3 rounds. And the Guida fight, while spectacular really highlighted Sanchez’s weakness against stronger grapplers while highlighting the fact that his power (while not substantial at welterweight) hadn’t followed him down a class. What’s more, his ability to weaponize pace and pressure actually seemed to be more limited at 155 through a combination of him tiring more easily and his opponents having a bigger gas tank than he was used to. Glad to see someone else look past those names and on a page and the highlight reel first round he had against Clay and see that for what it was. Only area where I disagree is the part with Penn, basically just because I don’t see how their matchmaking staff could plausibly think Sánchez was likely to beat BJ. I remember seeing a couple threads on here at the time about how Diego would be able to outwork Penn and thinking that he’d need to smuggle a gun into the cage to come out on top because he didn’t have a snowballs chance in hell lol
Yeah I definitely think Diego was not cutting weight properly at 155. He easily had the frame to do it but he seemed completely flat and lacking power. Maybe he should have hired that fraud Mike Dolce, remember him? <lmao>

Yes the Guida fight (like the later Melendez fight) gets wildly overrated by people who only remember about 30 seconds of it. Both are actually fairly lackluster for the most part and a far cry from what Diego used to be.

I actually think that Diego would have remained a contender at 170 for a while if he had stayed at Jackson's but I think the quality of his coaching went WAY downhill after which led to him becoming a wild brawler compared to the more well rounded fighter he once was.

Like many of the Jackson fighters, his offensive BJJ was wildly overrated and I do agree with everyone that his striking was nowhere near as good as it was hyped to be but with that being said, I do give him a slight chance at 170 against Penn in that hypothetical fight.

Penn had the striking advantage and the BJJ advantage but I can't act like the BJ who fought Diego/Sherk/Florian was the version we most often saw. BJ was known to have wildly inconsistent performances and often faded after a strong first round so I absolutely think a non-depleted Diego could make things interesting in the late rounds if Penn didn't show up on his A game.

I highly doubt he would stop BJ but a grinding comeback decision was absolutely possible IMHO. I also think Sherk probably would have beaten BJ if he didn't have a mental breakdown and decide to become a striker in his last few fights.

GSP would beat Diego 100 times out of 100 though IMO
 
A lot of people were not watching back then and it shows.

1) They trained at the same gym (off and on for GSP). They didn't often train directly together but it was definitely a conflict and GSP joining the gym full time basically pushed Diego out and this could have EASILY been a grudge fight if Diego had remained a contender at 170 pounds but the timing did not work out. There was definitely heat between the two; Diego was Jackson's Golden Boy for a good while.

2) Diego was absolutely a legitimate contender at 170 but the Kos loss prevented a likely title shot. Note that this fight was the co-main event of UFC 69 where GSP lost to Matt Serra. The above mentioned grudge fight could have easily been next for GSP but he lost as did Diego preventing it from happening.

Diego had already beaten Kos on TUF, he was one of the biggest names at the time, and he was undefeated... criticize him in modern day all you like but he was absolutely expected to win this fight and go on to be a title contender at 170.

3) The Fitch fight was made to get Diego a big win and it backfired. UFC 76 was a DISASTER for the company as their big 3 squash fights all ended in upsets. Jardine beat Chuck, Forrest beat the incredibly hyped Shogun, and Jon Fitch beat Diego. The card also produced no knockouts and was extremely lackluster.

Dana White has ALWAYS hated Fitch's fighting style (and later personally hated him) so it's no surprise that this fighter deemed so lackluster that it took him 6 straight wins to get any form of publicity is suddenly hyped to the moon after being matched up with a popular fan favorite coming off of a loss. The UFC expected Diego to smash Fitch but in typical Fitch style, the fight ended up being a lackluster/controversial decision which handed Diego a 2nd straight loss.

Fitch, who finally got a title shot after 8 straight wins, never got a title fight again despite going 5-0 post GSP and being 21-1-1 over an 8 YEAR stretch. Talk about salty.

4) Diego never looked the same post Kos loss... but that didn't stop the UFC from gifting him a title shot at 155. Neither Stevenson or Guida were ranked at the time of Diego's fights with them (and he put on pretty shabby performances against them besides the famous 1st round of the Guida fight) but Diego still got his long awaited title shot... except at 155.

Penn had been a difficult person for the UFC in the past (and was still fresh off of the crybaby Grease-Gate bs) so I definitely think the UFC hoped Diego could take him to the deep waters and gas him out. This was one of the rare fights where Penn actually displayed any level of cardio and he ended up throttling Diego effectively ending his run as a "contender" and reducing him to "fan favorite gatekeeper" status for the rest of his career. I do wish Diego had stopped Ellenberger in the 3rd round of their fight and somehow got an unlikely shot at GSP in 2012.... but it was not meant to be.

TL/DR: They trained together and then when they stopped, GSP was pre-occupied dropping/regaining the belt while Diego ended up losing his way down a weight class. Timing was the main issue.
I was a big fan of Diego after TUF (overall WW prospects were exciting at this time with GSP, Karo, Diego, Nick Diaz fighting each other)
I think the storytelling around him leaving for California was to be closer to a kid who wasn't really his kid (but yes he looked on a collision course with GSP at Jackson's gym)
The right moment to fight GSP would have been when they did TUF vets to challenge the WW and MW belts. Diego Sanchez could have been fighting GSP instead of Serra if this season of TUF wasn't this new concept
 
He topped out at top 7 at his peak at WW his best win at the weight class was Martin kampman and that was well after he was a top contender.


Diego’s striking has always been mediocre. People point to the Joe Riggs ko or the first round vs Guida as examples he was decent. But he was very mid.

Wild over hands no jab sloppy kicks. He got away with pressure.

His wrestling was no where near GSP’s at that time.

The fight would have looked like GSP vs Dan hardy. Possibly the second fight with Kos fight where GSP jabs Diego to death.

There’s levels and Diego was never anywhere near GSP.

and he took a beating in that kampman fight.
 
"When specifically would that have happened?"

Yeah, that's an unwritten part of my original question....trying to figure that out. The stars never aligned, I know. For example, if he had beat B.J. Penn he would've fought GSP instead of Dan Hardy. If Carlos Condit hadn't gone on that winning streak, Sanchez may have fought GSP instead of Condit. And then there's dipstickjimmy's answer above.

I guess the answer to my question would have been fairly obvious if I'd done a bit of research, but I wanted to read other people's takes.
I think the most reasonable time would be early 2007, had TUF not been the issue.

Unfortunately, it was already long decided that the TUF winner was getting a title shot and Serra won that even before GSP won the title off Hughes late 2006, so that first defense was already pre-set in motion. Had that decision not been made, I think Sanchez probably would have been the pick for UFC 69, maybe giving us Serra-Koscheck as the comain.
 
Sanchez lost to people GSP embarrassed...

Sanchez is absolutly a legend, but GSP arguably the most talented fighter that ever lived, period

GSP would have whooped that ass, easy
 
The only chance was when GSP lost his belt really and he fought Kos the first time. Diego was a good WW, but Fitch and Kos were just too big for him and he dropped down to LW.
 
Diego was one of the best at one point, but you still think it would've been one-sided?
Look at what BJ did to Diego. GSP would have beat the absolute brakes off of him. I liked Diego, but that would have been a nightmare matchup for him.
 
he wasn't worthy. went to LW, got one title shot and sent into a living death, then declined. their paths never really crossed.
 
Huh....GSP was a welterweight...diego was a top ranked LW for abit...



Why would they fight...like ever
Diego was a WW and his WW bouts with Fitch (close decision) and Kos (who he had already beat in TUF were top contender fights, so was vs Nick Diaz

What are you doing with your life being the first reply in a thread you dont know shit about? Its sad, mate
 
I was a big fan of Diego after TUF (overall WW prospects were exciting at this time with GSP, Karo, Diego, Nick Diaz fighting each other)
I think the storytelling around him leaving for California was to be closer to a kid who wasn't really his kid (but yes he looked on a collision course with GSP at Jackson's gym)
The right moment to fight GSP would have been when they did TUF vets to challenge the WW and MW belts. Diego Sanchez could have been fighting GSP instead of Serra if this season of TUF wasn't this new concept
TUF 4 ended up having very biarre timing in hindsight. Hughes and Rich were poster boys who both end up losing their belts so GSP and Anderson end up making their first defenses against journeymen? lol Not exactly the best way to hype them up, was it?

The concept worked much better in that later TUF season when they were trying to give an underdog a chance to beat Mighty Mouse when he was on a huge streak and had no contenders left.

I do think Diego/GSP could have easily fought at UFC 74 but like I said about the Fitch match-up, I think the UFC was trying very hard to get Diego back in the win column so they gave him a very non-threatening contender they wanted to get rid of and then fed Kos to GSP.

Match-ups between someone coming off of a loss and someone riding a win streak were not very common back then so I do think it's telling that GSP/Diego lose on the same card and yet are kept away from each other. Remember that Serra and Hughes were coaching TUF so the belt was held up. Would we have seen GSP/Diego in a #1 contender fight in 2007 if the split decision with Fitch went Diego's way? Sadly, we never found out.
 
I don't know, why didn't Mighty Mouse fight Brock.
 
Yeah I definitely think Diego was not cutting weight properly at 155. He easily had the frame to do it but he seemed completely flat and lacking power. Maybe he should have hired that fraud Mike Dolce, remember him? <lmao>

Yes the Guida fight (like the later Melendez fight) gets wildly overrated by people who only remember about 30 seconds of it. Both are actually fairly lackluster for the most part and a far cry from what Diego used to be.

I actually think that Diego would have remained a contender at 170 for a while if he had stayed at Jackson's but I think the quality of his coaching went WAY downhill after which led to him becoming a wild brawler compared to the more well rounded fighter he once was.

Like many of the Jackson fighters, his offensive BJJ was wildly overrated and I do agree with everyone that his striking was nowhere near as good as it was hyped to be but with that being said, I do give him a slight chance at 170 against Penn in that hypothetical fight.

Penn had the striking advantage and the BJJ advantage but I can't act like the BJ who fought Diego/Sherk/Florian was the version we most often saw. BJ was known to have wildly inconsistent performances and often faded after a strong first round so I absolutely think a non-depleted Diego could make things interesting in the late rounds if Penn didn't show up on his A game.

I highly doubt he would stop BJ but a grinding comeback decision was absolutely possible IMHO. I also think Sherk probably would have beaten BJ if he didn't have a mental breakdown and decide to become a striker in his last few fights.

GSP would beat Diego 100 times out of 100 though IMO
That’s fair. On paper Diego seems to pose problems for Penn but I just dont see how anyone who was watching the two of them during that time would actually expect Sanchez to win. Honestly I don’t think they even expected Florian to win, just that they were trying to give some credibility to the division. Biggest issue they’ve had with every new weight class is that it’s difficult to drum up interest and the easiest way to lend it credibility is to get known names fighting in the division. If they win, great, you have a known name as champ. If they lose, great, your champ just got to fight on a ppv and beat a guy people know. All in all I think the UFC just wanted to make sure their title challengers for the new(ish) division were named people actually recognized.
 
Diego was a WW and his WW bouts with Fitch (close decision) and Kos (who he had already beat in TUF were top contender fights, so was vs Nick Diaz

What are you doing with your life being the first reply in a thread you dont know shit about? Its sad, mate


Diego was not a title contender at WW...the guys who beat him were....


Only at 155 he was ....is my point and the truth .

Everyone who beat him at WW ended up getting a title shot
 
Back
Top