Diego Sanchez says he DM’d Kevin Lee when he was cut from the UFC

Diego Sanchez says he DM’d Kevin Lee when he was reduce from the UFC.

Former The Final Fighter Season 1 winner Diego Sanchez empathized with Kevin Lee when the 29-year-old former interim title challenger was let go from the UFC final 12 months.

Only a few months later, they’ll go to battle within the Eagle FC 46 important occasion on March 11.

Sanchez was purported to face Donald Cerrone in early 2021 earlier than the bout fell by. A tense relationship between his then-manager Joshua Fabia and the UFC brass led to the 2 sides parting methods.

After Sanchez’s reduce from the UFC, he opted to signal with EFC regardless of an alleged profitable supply to battle in Naked Knuckle FC. He’s intent on ending his MMA profession on his phrases.

Sanchez fought many high UFC fighters throughout his time with the promotion, and his journey in MMA is well-documented. He has been by the ups and downs that include competing on the skilled degree.

Throughout an unique interview with FanSided’s Amy Kaplan, Sanchez revealed that he reached out to Lee shortly after the UFC let him go.

“We’re all about honor,” Sanchez stated. “When Kevin Lee bought reduce from the UFC and was going by some exhausting instances, I despatched him a DM. I stated ‘hey bro, if you happen to want an older man that’s a giant brother that’s been by it, that wishes to speak to you, I’m right here for you if you happen to want me.’ We’re already on that [respect] degree. We didn’t know we have been gonna battle, however now we come into the battle and it’s all respect, and will the perfect man win.”

Diego Sanchez and Kevin Lee will sq. off within the Eagle FC 46 important occasion

Sanchez received three of his final 5 fights within the UFC over the likes of Mickey Gall and Craig White. Early on in his profession, he earned wins over the likes of Kenny Florian, Nick Diaz, and Clay Guida.

Lee is trying to get again on observe in his MMA profession after losses in 4 of his final 5. After combating for the UFC interim light-weight title towards Tony Ferguson, he hasn’t been capable of recapture the magic from earlier in his UFC tenure.

Sanchez and Lee appear cordial with each other forward of their matchup, but it surely’s arguably a must-win scenario for each fighters heading into EFC 46.