The Ultimate Fighter Season 1 winner and former lightweight title challenger Diego Sanchez squared off with Jake Matthews at tonight’s UFC 253 event.
Sanchez (30-12 MMA) entered tonight’s welterweight battle with Matthews following a disqualification win over Michel Pereira this past February. ‘The Nightmare’ had gone 3-2 over his first five fights since returning to the promotions welterweight division in November of 2017.
With a definitive victory over Matthews this evening, Diego Sanchez was hoping to earn a fight with former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor next.
Meanwhile, Jake Matthews had entered tonight’s UFC 253 event on a two-fight win streak his latest being a unanimous decision victory over Emil Meek in February.
Tonight’s Sanchez vs Matthews contest proved to be a one sided affair. Jake Matthews was able to find a home for his right hand early and often throughout tonight’s contest on route to dominant decision victory.
Official UFC 253 Result: Jake Matthews def. Diego Sanchez by unanimous decision (30-26 x 3)
Check out how the pros reacted to Matthews defeating Sanchez below:
Wishing my brother @DiegoSanchezUFC success tonight! #UFC253
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) September 27, 2020
Time for some self-awareness, and I’d be a hypocrite if I didn’t talk about the defense he showed in the pereira fight.
advertisement – continue reading below— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) September 27, 2020
Matthews is a +500 underdog?!?! Are they high?? #UFC253
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) September 27, 2020
I know Matthews is favorite but you can never ever count Diego out. #UFC253
— ike vallie-flagg (@IKEVF) September 27, 2020
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Diego out of shape till now #UFC253
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) September 27, 2020
That soft body is asking to be kicked. #UFC253
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) September 27, 2020
Matthews about to make me some money #UFC253
— Marvin Vettori (@MarvinVettori) September 27, 2020
https://twitter.com/danhardymma/status/1310025835932418050
https://twitter.com/POSTERBOYJM/status/1310026831744073729
I just got this from one of my friends “Can Diego just go to BKB already’ he’s still in the fight. He won’t ever quit man
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) September 27, 2020
Blood bath #UFC253
— Niko Price (@Nikohybridprice) September 27, 2020
I’d pay to get a softball just once
— Kevin MTP Lee (@MoTownPhenom) September 27, 2020
https://twitter.com/NEWBREED04/status/1310029016607461379
Who would you like to see Jake Matthews fight next following his decision victory over Diego Sanches on Fight Island? Sound off in the comments section PENN Nation!
This article first appeared on BJPENN.com on September 26, 2020