UFC Rio Rancho: Sanchez vs Pereira

Hopefully it should be a relief for the former winner of The Ultimate Fighter. Prior to this announcement the 37 year old Sanchez was sitting home as a free agent. Raised in New Mexico, this has to be a great way to open up his new deal to a friendly crowd.

The fight will be an interesting contrast of styles. We have one of the more unusual strikers doing battle with one of the toughest active fighters in the UFC. Sanchez comes in 31-12 with a decision loss back in July to Michael Chiesa. Michel Pereira is 23-10 is also coming off a tough loss. Pereira took a loss to Tristan Connelly in September in a short notice replacement situation. 

The Fighters

Diego Sanchez enters with a fresh contract that extends his 15 year relationship with the UFC. However he may really need to show that he deserved it with a big win or minimum great showing. Michel comes in needing to show he belongs in the big show. Pereira’s last fight, although entertaining, exposed a real lack of cardio that should be remedied with a full camp. Even with the loss he won over the crowd with his unorthodox, at times acrobatic, fighting style.

UFC Rio Rancho is headlined with a rematch featuring light heavyweight top contenders Corey Anderson and Jan Blachowicz.

Both these welterweights, Sanchez and Pereira, look to get back in the win column. If styles make fights, which we all know they do, this should be a perfect example of a style clash. 

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