Diego Sanchez Continues to Switch Gears, It's Back to 155 After UFC 121

ufc 121: “Lesnar vs. Velasquez” will featured former title contender Diego Sanchez’s second fight at Welterweight after returning to the division earlier this year. Before that, the “Ultimate Fighter” alum had dropped down to Lightweight in February of 2009 and worked his way up to a title shot in the UFC’s 155 division. Of course, he would end up losing the fight, to then-champion BJ Penn, in dominating fashion. Many criticized Sanchez for “running” from the division when he announced he’d be moving back up to Welterweight, but now that the UFC’s Lightweight division is ruled by Frank Edgar, it appears that “Nightmare” is ready to settle a few scores back in the land of 155. Here are the highlights, straight from Sanchez himself, courtesy of an interview posted on UFC.com.

“And just for the record, I do plan on dropping back to 155 after this fight. Me and Greg (Jackson) and the team are just gonna work together and see what (UFC matchmaker) Joe (Silva) can get lined up for me… For now I think it’s basically gonna be permanent, but that all depends because I feel like I can fight in both weight classes… So now it’s 170, after this fight I’m gonna get down to 155 again, try to make a title run, and there will be time later down the road where I can make something happen at 170. For right now, I’ve got my mind set on beating Paulo Thiago.”

In all honesty, I never bought into all of the talk of Sanchez running away from Lightweight with his tail between his legs. I think a lot of people don’t like Sanchez because of how eccentric he is, and they were all-too-happy to get their shots in when the man was down. Now, I wouldn’t call myself a Diego Sanchez fan, but I can respect what the man has done in the Octagon and I think he’s a great competitor. You simply don’t go 10-4 in the world’s best and most prestigious MMA promotion without having some skill.

I think Diego Sanchez is simply an opportunist. He had to regroup after his five-round thrashing he received from BJ Penn, he simply chose to do it in the division where he got his start. Now that BJ Penn has been dethroned and the entire Lightweight division has been blown wide open by the ascension of Frank Edgar, Sanchez knows that the time is right and that he could get right back into title contention at Lightweight. He may even get another shot at Penn if Penn doesn’t make his own return to Welterweight a permanent one.

At the end of the day, I think Diego Sanchez has a bright future no matter what division he chooses to compete in. He’s a wild man, he’s pretty off-putting, the whole “YES!” thing is equal parts bizarre and hilarious…but Diego Sanchez is Diego Sanchez, and Diego Sanchez is a very gifted, very driven Mixed Martial Artist. With Frank Edgar now unquestionably the best Lightweight in the world, I think it’s time we expect the unexpected and realize that anything is possible. Right now, I think the only thing holding Diego Sanchez back from another title shot is Diego Sanchez. It will be very interesting to see where this second drop to 155 leaves him.

And what about you, fans and friends? What do you think of “Nightmare” returning to Lightweight after only two fights back at Welterweight?