Fighter with Down syndrome submits Diego Sanchez at ‘Fight Night 2’ in Albuquerque
Longtime Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight veteran Diego Sanchez returned to the cage last Friday night (Dec. 1, 2017) for an exhibition fight against Isaac Marquez inside Isleta Resort & Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
It was another rough outing for “The Nightmare.”
Despite his sizable height and reach advantage, Sanchez was no match for “The Shermanator,” getting submitted in the first-round at the Jackson-Wink “Fight Night 2” mixed martial arts (MMA) event, headlined by Damacio Page vs. Jesus Urbina.
Marquez was born with Down syndrome and was hoping to fulfill his dream of competing in MMA. As you might expect, getting a sanctioned bout against a combatant with his disability is a daunting task, which is why Sanchez felt the need to intervene.
“Most down syndrome adults don’t live past 45,” Sanchez said. ”Isaac is 32, and I just wanted to see this young man be healthy. Exercise and martial arts are one of the most healthy things you can do.”
Sanchez last competed at UFC Fight Night 120, losing to Matt Brown by way of knockout.