Joshua Fabia is looking to tell his side of the story when it comes to Diego Sanchez - this is your Fightful Fix Roundup.
Joshua Fabia says Diego Sanchez used him
One of the most bizarre partnerships has ended as Diego Sanchez has cut all ties with coach Joshua Fabia. This comes off the heels of the UFC letting Sanchez go following a controversial video of Fabia harassing the commentary team of the UFC. Speaking on “Behind the Scenes” with Summer Helene, it was Fabia's turn to let off steam, and he directed his anger at Sanchez.
“Diego was definitely a celebrity,” Fabia said (h/t MMA Junkie). “He had some celebrity asshole tendencies. He didn’t like tipping, and he did some weird stuff in front of me that you know, threw up some red flags. But over time, just talking to him, it kind of just seemed, like I said, the celebrity stuff.”
Fabia would also talk about helping out Sanchez through a divorce but getting a one-bedroom condo with a kid. Sanchez, the first Ultimate Fighter winner, was with the UFC since 2005. In his last six fights, Sanchez is 3-3, his last fight a loss to Jake Matthews at UFC 253. Videos would later surface of Fabia's wild training techniques; hitting Sanchez while upside down.
Along with getting death threats, Fabia is ready to share all of the videos and photos that he has. Calling Sanchez an addict, Fabia believes he has the upper hand.
“As I get to more information, as I’m with the lawyer and the lawyer talks to Diego and asks Diego about his education, and he starts talking about he was in special education,” Fabia said. “Holy sh*t. Huge red flags, man. This is not, at all, what anyone who perceived, and Diego is not anywhere near what anybody knows, man."
ONE Atomweight Grand Prix postponed
One of the most celebrated events in MMA today won't be taking place as planned. ONE Championship recently announced (h/t MMA Fighting) that its eight-women grand prix event on May 28 is postponed. The ONE: Empower event at Singapore Indoor Stadium will be on hold due to the COVID-19 virus.
The winner of the grand prix is scheduled to face ONE FC atomweight champion Angela Lee. Another bout on the all-women's card would have been Jingnan Xiong defending the ONE FC flyweight title against Michelle Nicolini. ONE: Full Blast will now take place on the 28th.
Scott Coker on the next challenger for Cris Cyborg
At Bellator 259, Cris Cyborg successfully defended the Bellator featherweight title against Leslie Smith. Now on a four-fight win streak and 3-0 in Bellator, who is next for Cyborg?
There's Cat Zingano, who is on a two-fight win streak. Scott Coker stated after Bellator 259 that Zingano is an enticing option.
“That’s one of the reasons we brought her here,” Coker stated (h/t MMA Fighting). “She has a win over Amanda Nunes so I think it’s something where she came over here to fight Cyborg. She’s had a couple of fights and she feels pretty good about it.
“Will we do that fight next? I’m not sure but we’ll definitely have a conversation about it next week with everybody.”
Zingano made her MMA debut in 2008. The last fighter to beat Amanda Nunes, Zingano made her Bellator debut in 2020. She beat Olivia Parker back in April via submission.
Jack Hermansson ready to fight the top middleweights
Coming off of an impressive win against Edmen Shahbazyan this past month, Jack Hermansson is ready to step up his game. Ranked seventh in the UFC middleweight rankings, Hermansson wants to face the top contenders in the middleweight division.
“I want to be fighting guys like Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa, the winner of Brunson and Till could be a potential fight, so yeah, those guys,” Hermansson stated to reporters after his fight (h/t MMA Junkie). “It depends when I have a good opponent, but I want one more fight this year for sure. If any of the big guys are ready for me this year, I’m up for it.”
Making his MMA debut in 2010, Hermansson is a former CWFC middleweight champion. Joining the UFC in 2016, Hermansson has gone 9-4 with the promotion.
Paul Felder on his retirement: "I’d rather it be a touch early than a touch late"
The first time he retired following a loss against Dan Hooker in February 2020, many believed that Paul Felder still had the itch to fight. That turned out to be true, as Felder came back. He ended up losing to Rafael dos Anjos in November. On commentary this past weekend at UFC Vegas 27, Felder officially announced he was retired for good.
“I really waited until I knew,” Felder said after the event (h/t BJ Penn). “After the [Dan] Hooker fight, it was kind of emotional and I lost the fight and I’m far away from home and it was a struggle. But then I did find that fire again when I got the [Rafael dos Anjos] fight. I went back and did camps and I was helping Sean Brady get ready for fights and I was hitting pads, I was lifting again, I was doing all those things and just slowly over time I started drifting back towards doing my own things and really just loving doing this triathlon stuff on my own, having time, seeing my daughter everyday after school, dropping her off at school. Training in my own little pain cave at home in the garage and getting stuff done."
Felder made his MMA debut in 2011. He joined the UFC in 2014 and has a 9-6 record with the promotion. The 37-year-old has competed in lightweight and welterweight but never competed for a title in the UFC. Even though he may have more left in the tank, he doesn't want to end up like other elder fighters in the UFC who have recently struggled.
"I think this is the first time where I finally really think after those two losses in a row, watching guys like ‘Jacare’ [Souza] break their arm, watching guys like ‘Cowboy’ [Cerrone] fight five more fights than I think they should. I’m not going to be that guy," Felder went on to say. "I’ve said from the very beginning of this sport, I won’t be that guy that fights past his expiration date and I think it’s here. I think it’s a touch early but I’d rather it be a touch early than a touch late.”
Rob Font faces lengthy medical suspension
Coming out the victor at UFC Vegas 27, it may be a while before we see Rob Font back in action.
Via MMA Fighting, Font needs medical x-rays of his right tibia and fibula, ankle, and foot. There is a chance he won't be able to compete until at least November 19 unless he gets clearance from an orthopedic doctor.
Ranked third in the UFC bantamweight rankings, Font is now on a four-fight win streak. He beat former titleholder Cody Garbrandt via unanimous decision. Garbrandt is suspended until July 22, and June 22 is the shortest date Font's suspension would end.
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