Diego Sanchez, known as “The Nightmare,” is a renowned mixed martial artist from Albuquerque, New Mexico.
With a career spanning over 2 decades, he has made significant contributions to the sport and continues to be a prominent figure in MMA.
In this article, you will learn about Diego Sanchez’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Diego Sanchez’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Diego Sanchez |
| Nickname(s) | The Nightmare, El Corazón de León |
| Date of Birth | December 31, 1981 |
| Place of Birth | Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb) |
| Reach | 72 in (183 cm) |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Residence | Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA |
| Marital Status | Married to Theresa Tapia (2024) |
| Previous Spouse | Bernadette Sanchez |
| Children | One daughter |
| Education | Del Norte High School |
Early Career
Diego Sanchez began his MMA journey in 2002. Before stepping into the professional arena, he was a state champion wrestler during his high school years.
His passion for martial arts led him to train at Jackson’s Submission Fighting while balancing a job at UPS.
Sanchez made his debut in the Ring of Fire promotion, where he showcased his wrestling skills and secured a victory by submission.
This win marked the beginning of an impressive undefeated streak of 11-0 before joining The Ultimate Fighter reality show.
Professional Career
Sanchez’s professional career took off when he won the Middleweight tournament on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter.
He became known for his aggressive fighting style and resilience in the octagon.
Throughout his career, Sanchez has competed in multiple weight classes, including Middleweight, Welterweight, Lightweight, and Featherweight.
He is celebrated for participating in several “Fight of the Year” bouts against notable fighters like Karo Parisyan, Clay Guida, and Gilbert Melendez.
Wife
In January 2024, Diego Sanchez married Theresa Tapia. Previously, he was married to Bernadette Sanchez, with whom he has a daughter.
Sanchez is known for his charitable work and once participated in an exhibition fight to support Isaac Marquez, a man with Down syndrome.
Diego Sanchez’s Net Worth Details
Diego Sanchez’s net worth is estimated to be $2 million as of 2025.
Fight Purses
| Event | Date | Opponent | Purse ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale | April 9, 2005 | Kenny Florian | 100,000 |
| UFC Fight Night 6 | August 17, 2006 | Karo Parisyan | 30,000 |
| UFC 107 | December 12, 2009 | B.J. Penn | 150,000 |
| UFC on Fuel TV: Silva vs. Stann | March 3, 2013 | Takanori Gomi | 100,000 |
| UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov | June 7, 2014 | Ross Pearson | 90,000 |
| UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Pettis | November 11, 2017 | Matt Brown | 73,000 |
| UFC 235 | March 2, 2019 | Mickey Gall | 195,000 |
| UFC 239 | July 6, 2019 | Michael Chiesa | 103,000 |
Fight Records
| Opponent | Event | Result | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenny Florian | The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale | Win (TKO) | April 9, 2005 |
| Nick Diaz | The Ultimate Fighter 2 Finale | Win (Decision) | November 5, 2005 |
| Karo Parisyan | UFC Fight Night 6 | Win (Decision) | August 17, 2006 |
| Josh Koscheck | UFC 69 | Loss (Decision) | April 7, 2007 |
| Jon Fitch | UFC 76 | Loss (Decision) | September 22, 2007 |
| Joe Stevenson | UFC 95 | Win (Decision) | February 21, 2009 |
| Clay Guida | The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale | Win (Decision) | June 20, 2009 |
| B.J. Penn | UFC 107 | Loss (TKO) | December 12, 2009 |
| Martin Kampmann | UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann | Win (Decision) | March 3, 2011 |
| Jake Ellenberger | UFC on Fuel TV: Sanchez vs. Ellenberger | Loss (Decision) | February 15, 2012 |
| Gilbert Melendez | UFC 166 | Loss (Decision) | October 19, 2013 |
| Ross Pearson | UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov | Win (Decision) | June 7, 2014 |
| Jim Miller | UFC 196 | Win (Decision) | March 5, 2016 |
| Mickey Gall | UFC 235 | Win (TKO) | March 2, 2019 |
FAQs
1. Who is Diego Sanchez?
Diego Sanchez is an American mixed martial artist born on December 31, 1981, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He gained fame as the winner of The Ultimate Fighter 1 and has competed in multiple MMA promotions, including the UFC and Eagle Fighting Championship.
2. What is Diego Sanchez’s MMA record?
Diego Sanchez has a professional MMA record of 44 fights, with 30 wins (10 by knockout, 6 by submission, and 13 by decision) and 14 losses. He is known for his resilience and thrilling performances.
3. What are Diego Sanchez’s major achievements in MMA?
Sanchez won The Ultimate Fighter 1 Middleweight tournament, earned multiple Fight of the Night awards, and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame for his iconic fight against Clay Guida in 2009.
4. What weight classes has Diego Sanchez competed in?
Diego Sanchez is one of two UFC fighters to compete in four weight classes: Middleweight, Welterweight, Lightweight, and Featherweight. This versatility highlights his adaptability as a fighter.
5. Why did Diego Sanchez leave the UFC?
Sanchez left the UFC in 2021 after controversies surrounding his coach Joshua Fabia and concerns about his long-term health. The UFC terminated his contract following disputes over medical evaluations.
6. Who was Diego Sanchez’s controversial coach?
Joshua Fabia was Diego Sanchez’s coach known for unorthodox training methods and controversies. Their partnership ended in 2021 after allegations of psychological abuse and financial disputes.
7. What is Diego Sanchez’s legacy in MMA?
Diego Sanchez is celebrated for his fearless fighting style, participation in legendary bouts like those against Clay Guida and Gilbert Melendez, and being a pioneer of The Ultimate Fighter series.
8. Is Diego Sanchez still active in combat sports?
Yes, Diego Sanchez remains active as of 2025. He signed with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and is scheduled to make his boxing debut on April 12, 2025.
9. What is Diego Sanchez’s personal life like?
Diego Sanchez has been married to Bernadette Sanchez since 2011 and resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He comes from a Mexican-American family and started training while working for UPS.
10. What are Diego Sanchez’s notable training credentials?
Sanchez holds black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Roberto Tussa and Gaidojutsu. He trained extensively at Jackson Wink MMA Academy during his career’s peak years.
