jakkups
06-21-2009, 09:38 AM
Sanchez proves nightmare for Guida, Pearson and Wilks capture "TUF" crowns at TUF 9 Finale (http://mmajunkie.com/news/15271/sanchez-proves-nightmare-to-guida-pearson-and-wilks-capture-tuf-crowns.mma)
LAS VEGAS - UFC lightweight Diego Sanchez (21-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) has made some bold claims in recent weeks.
On Saturday night, in the main event of The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, "Nightmare" went out and backed up those claims.
In a hyper-paced, blood-soaked, 15-minute, instant-classic contest that had enough action to make Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar blush, Sanchez grinded out a split-decision win over a more-than-game Clay Guida (25-10 MMA, 5-4 UFC).
The bout had action written all over it from the beginning, and from the moment the two fighters were brought into the cage through the intense face-to-face staredown, the intensity was palpable.
While the bout was ultimately destined for a decision, it appeared to be headed for a quick finish early on. An impressive, aggressive attack of uppercuts, crosses and flying knees from Sanchez had Guida stunned early and seemingly on the way to the first knockout loss of his six-year career.
A clean high kick to the jaw reminiscent of Pete Williams' famous blow to Mark Coleman dropped Guida to the canvas, but "The Carpenter" somehow lasted the full five minutes, even as the first spurts of what would end up developing into a constant stream of blood started to trickle out of Guida's wounds.
A lesser man would have quit on the stool, but Guida came out in the second round like a man possessed. Guida powered through Sanchez's initial offense to land top position and unleash the ground-and-pound attack that has become his trademark. Sanchez didn't simply take the abuse, but instead unleashed several fierce elbows from the bottom position. The result was a primal mix of blood, sweat and tangled hair as it became difficult to determine who was getting the best of the attacks.
The third round unfathomably saw more of the same, and between a deep choke from Sanchez, and a wild, relentless top game from Guida, picking a winner became near impossible. All three judges turned in different scores as the two competitors were wiped clean of the blood that had soaked them both. In the end, Sanchez took the split-decision.
Following the bout, Sanchez had nothing but praise for Guida.
"The guy has a tremendous chin," Sanchez said. "There's a reason he hasn't ever been knocked out. I hit him with that kick right there, and I thought for sure he was done. He's a machine. He is an animal."
While Sanchez spent a great deal of time underneath a blood-squirting Guida, the former "TUF" champion said he wculdn't have asked for anything more.
"I love it when the guy is bleeding on top of me," Sanchez said. "Call me weird, but it means battle. It means war, and that's what the UFC is all about."
Meanwhile, a battered Guida refused to stop bouncing energetically even as he accepted the loss.
"You can't hurt this guy," Guida said. "I'm here for days. I come for days."
Sanchez is now 2-0 since dropping to lightweight. While "Nightmare's" recent claim of being the division's No. 1 contender may or may not be validated by the UFC, Sanchez certainly proved he's capable of banging with anyone in the lightweight division.
The loss snaps a three-fight winning streak in the division for Guida, but the performance did little to diminish the "anybody, any time, anywhere" reputation of the irrepressible 27-year-old.
LAS VEGAS - UFC lightweight Diego Sanchez (21-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) has made some bold claims in recent weeks.
On Saturday night, in the main event of The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, "Nightmare" went out and backed up those claims.
In a hyper-paced, blood-soaked, 15-minute, instant-classic contest that had enough action to make Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar blush, Sanchez grinded out a split-decision win over a more-than-game Clay Guida (25-10 MMA, 5-4 UFC).
The bout had action written all over it from the beginning, and from the moment the two fighters were brought into the cage through the intense face-to-face staredown, the intensity was palpable.
While the bout was ultimately destined for a decision, it appeared to be headed for a quick finish early on. An impressive, aggressive attack of uppercuts, crosses and flying knees from Sanchez had Guida stunned early and seemingly on the way to the first knockout loss of his six-year career.
A clean high kick to the jaw reminiscent of Pete Williams' famous blow to Mark Coleman dropped Guida to the canvas, but "The Carpenter" somehow lasted the full five minutes, even as the first spurts of what would end up developing into a constant stream of blood started to trickle out of Guida's wounds.
A lesser man would have quit on the stool, but Guida came out in the second round like a man possessed. Guida powered through Sanchez's initial offense to land top position and unleash the ground-and-pound attack that has become his trademark. Sanchez didn't simply take the abuse, but instead unleashed several fierce elbows from the bottom position. The result was a primal mix of blood, sweat and tangled hair as it became difficult to determine who was getting the best of the attacks.
The third round unfathomably saw more of the same, and between a deep choke from Sanchez, and a wild, relentless top game from Guida, picking a winner became near impossible. All three judges turned in different scores as the two competitors were wiped clean of the blood that had soaked them both. In the end, Sanchez took the split-decision.
Following the bout, Sanchez had nothing but praise for Guida.
"The guy has a tremendous chin," Sanchez said. "There's a reason he hasn't ever been knocked out. I hit him with that kick right there, and I thought for sure he was done. He's a machine. He is an animal."
While Sanchez spent a great deal of time underneath a blood-squirting Guida, the former "TUF" champion said he wculdn't have asked for anything more.
"I love it when the guy is bleeding on top of me," Sanchez said. "Call me weird, but it means battle. It means war, and that's what the UFC is all about."
Meanwhile, a battered Guida refused to stop bouncing energetically even as he accepted the loss.
"You can't hurt this guy," Guida said. "I'm here for days. I come for days."
Sanchez is now 2-0 since dropping to lightweight. While "Nightmare's" recent claim of being the division's No. 1 contender may or may not be validated by the UFC, Sanchez certainly proved he's capable of banging with anyone in the lightweight division.
The loss snaps a three-fight winning streak in the division for Guida, but the performance did little to diminish the "anybody, any time, anywhere" reputation of the irrepressible 27-year-old.