Released UFC fighter Diego Sanchez and his manager/coach, Joshua Fabia have called it quits. The 39-year old Ultimate Fighter Season 1 winner announced the split from his longtime business associate confirmed by MMAFighting.com.
*Diego Sanchez and Joshua Fabia broke up*
Joshua Fabia waiting outside the UFC PI for the next most gullible fighter: pic.twitter.com/Kcj3BAe8Z9
— MacMally🍀 (@MacMallyMMA) May 20, 2021
No further explanation will be made until next week with a need to gather his thoughts before he finally addresses the media. According to Sanchez’s attorney, Charles Lakins, the decision was made on Thursday adding that Sanchez has withdrawn his business ties to his longtime coach.
Sanchez began working professionally with Fabia back in 2019 before his fight with Mickey Gall for UFC 235. The controversy came about when the self-described healer and owner of the School of Self Awareness began taking control over Sanchez’s career. MMA fans and fighters all around expressed their concern over the degree of control of Sanchez’s career.
Fabia has had a history of butting heads with UFC management during his tenure at numerous events in which Sanchez competed in. Before Sanchez’s release from the company, the UFC Vegas 26 bout with Donald Cerrone was billed a retirement bout. Fabia stepped in and requested all of Sanchez’s medical paperwork from his entire UFC career.
In a secretly recorded call with UFC executives Sean Shelby and Hunter Campbell, Campbell expressed concern over Sanchez’s well-being and required the fighter to certify that he has no long or short-term medical issues. When Sanchez refused to release any medical history, he was removed from the fight and was replaced by Alex Morono.
Sanchez and Fabia both lashed out at UFC management over the fight cancellation. Sanchez later agreed to participate in the Professional Athletes Brain Health study. He also remained loyal to Joshua Fabia, as he has had positive results in their business relationship.
