Exclusive: “Preparing for the worst” – Diego Sanchez on possibly fighting for the last time against Jake Matthews

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Diego Sanchez faces Jake Matthews in his next UFC fight

UFC legend Diego Sanchez will be in action at UFC 253 against Jake Matthews.

The 38-year-old is one of the few fighters still active who had appeared on the first Ultimate Fighter. He has faced some of the biggest names in the MMA world but isn’t sure about his future in the sport.

Diego Sanchez won The Ultimate Fighter 1
Diego Sanchez poses on the scale during his weigh-in for UFC 200 at T-Mobile Arena on July 8, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sanchez will meet Joe Lauzon in a lightweight bout on July 9 at T-Mobile Arena. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Sanchez was speaking to the Schmo recently and was asked if this was his last fight. The 38-year-old couldn’t confirm that but hinted that things could be coming to an end due to the coronavirus pandemic too:

“The way the world is going now, I am taking it one opportunity at a time. Things just continue to get crazier and crazier, so I am looking at it like I am 38-years-old. I have this opportunity, September 26, I am going to take this opportunity and embrace it.

“Embrace it as if it is my last. I truly do not know what is going to happen as you do not know.

“I am praying that America and the rest of the world can come out of this pandemic. Get back to a normal and live normally again.

“I don’t know if it’s coming but I am preparing for the worst. Train for the best, prepare for the worst.”

Making a name for himself

The match sees two fighters at different ends of their careers facing off. Sanchez seems to be considering his retirement while Matthews is just 26 and has another decade or so in the fight business.

Diego Sanchez is one of the most experienced MMA stars in the UFC
Diego Sanchez in his Welterweight bout against Frank Camacho during UFC 228 at American Airlines Center on September 8, 2018 in Dallas, United States. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Sanchez was asked what he thought about his opponent and the UFC legend set the record straight:

“I look at Jake Matthews and I see a hungry kid looking to make a name for himself.

“I look at his record and there have been ups and downs at the time he spent within the organisation, I see a rugby player that learned Jiu jitsu and learned some striking.”

Sanchez added that while Matthews was athletic and young, the 26,-year-old was going to face a warrior with a ton of experience.

The UFC legend also claimed that he was excited to face a dangerous Matthews but he had faced more dangerous men in the past.

This was an exclusive interview from The Schmozone Podcast. For more exclusive interviews and content please follow the link

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