Diego Sanchez was stiff in his performance tonight, and it almost cost him the fight. Whenever Ross Pearson would charge forward with a hook, Sanchez was not able to dodge it and never followed up with a takedown attempt. He seemed frustrated that he could not find a comfortable striking distance while Pearson had found his.

Pearson landed his hooks at will and even wobbled Sanchez a couple times throughout the fight. In the middle of the second round, Sanchez’s hands began to drop and Pearson established his jab. Sanchez started to pick up some momentum toward the end of the second round, but Pearson regained his composure and closed out the round strong.

Ross Pearson controlled the pace of the fight and dictated the distance which frustrated Diego Sanchez. Every time Sanchez was dropped, he would pop right back up and try to engage a knock-down drag-em-out war. Pearson refused to let emotion get the best of him and continued to fight at his own pace.

When the judges’ decision was read, though, Diego Sanchez was claimed the winner. One judge actually awarded him all three rounds. Despite being the home-town boy, there were some fans in attendance that booed his decision win. It was controversial to say the least.

Diego Sanchez def. Ross Pearson by way of Split Decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28)