Andrew Sanchez
American mixed martial arts fighter
Andrew William Sanchez (born April 8, 1988)[ 2] is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Light heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2012, he has formerly competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Professional Fighters League (PFL), and Resurrection Fighting Alliance .[ 1]
Background
Sanchez started training in various forms of martial arts as a teenager. He was a two-time national championship wrestler at McKendree University and was named the 2011 NAIA Wrestler of the Year. He graduated in 2011 with a degree in sociology.[ 1]
Mixed martial arts career
Sanchez began fighting professionally in 2012 where he compiled a record of 7–2 on the regional circuit.
The Ultimate Fighter
He was added as one of the 16 Light Heavyweight fighters invited to the cast The Ultimate Fighter 23 .[ 3]
He won his entry fight against Phil Hawes via unanimous decision.[ 4] Next up, he defeated Myron Dennis via unanimous decision.[ 5]
In the semifinals, he defeated Eric Spicely by knockout in the first round.[ 6]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Sanchez made his promotional debut on July 8, 2016, at UFC The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale in the Light Heavyweight finals against Khalil Rountree .[ 7] He won the one-sided fight via unanimous decision with the score card of (30-25, 30–25, 30–26).[ 8] [ 9]
Sanchez next faced Trevor Smith in a middleweight bout on December 9, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 102 .[ 10] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[ 11]
Sanchez faced Anthony Smith on April 15, 2017, at UFC on Fox 24 .[ 12] He lost the fight via knockout due to a combination of knee and punches in the third round.[ 13]
Sanchez faced Ryan Janes on December 1, 2017, at The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale .[ 14] He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.[ 15]
Sanchez was expected to face Antonio Braga Neto on August 25, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 135 .[ 16] However, Neto was removed from the bout on August 2 for undisclosed personal issues and replaced by Markus Perez .[ 17] Sanchez won the fight via unanimous decision.[ 18]
Sanchez faced promotional newcomer Marc-André Barriault on May 4, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 151 .[ 19] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[ 20]
Sanchez was scheduled to face David Branch on September 14, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 16 .[ 21] However, it was reported that Branch was forced to pull from the event due to injury and he was replaced by Marvin Vettori .[ 22] However, it was reported that Sanchez was forced to pull from the event due to an eye infection, resulting in the cancellation of the bout.[ 23] In turn, the pairing was left intact and eventually took place a month later at UFC on ESPN+ 19 .[ 24] Sanchez lost the fight via unanimous decision.[ 25]
Sanchez was scheduled to face Zak Cummings on April 25, 2020 .[ 26] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , UFC president Dana White announced on April 9 that the event was indefinitely postponed.[ 27]
Sanchez faced Wellington Turman on August 8, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 174 .[ 28] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[ 29] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[ 30]
Sanchez was scheduled to face André Muniz on January 24, 2021 at UFC 257 .[ 31] In late December, Muniz withdrew due to an injury and he was replaced by Makhmud Muradov .[ 32] Sanchez lost the fight via technical knockout in round three.[ 33]
Sanchez faced Bruno Silva on October 16, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 195 .[ 34] Sanchez lost the fight via technical knockout in round three.[ 35]
On October 28, 2021, it was announced that Sanchez was no longer on the UFC roster.[ 36]
Post UFC
Sanchez faced Gabriel Checco on May 20, 2022, at Eagle FC 47 .[ 37] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[ 38]
Professional Fighters League
Stepping in for a suspended fighter, Sanchez entered the 2023 season against Taylor Johnson on June 8, 2023 at PFL 4 .[ 39] He won the fight via split decision.[ 40]
Sanchez was scheduled to face Karl Albrektsson , replacing Ibragim Chuzhigaev on June 21, 2024, at PFL 5 .[ 41] Subsequently, Sanchez stepped in to face 2022 PFL welterweight winner Sadibou Sy after Tom Breese withdrew at the last minute and the bout against Albrektsson was cancelled.[ 42] He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.[ 43]
Championships and accomplishments
Professional titles
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
22 matches
14 wins
8 losses
By knockout
6
6
By submission
2
0
By decision
6
2
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Loss
14–8
Sadibou Sy
TKO (punches)
PFL 5 (2024)
June 21, 2024
3
4:02
Salt Lake City, Utah , United States
Win
14–7
Taylor Johnson
Decision (split)
PFL 4 (2023)
June 8, 2023
3
5:00
Atlanta, Georgia , United States
Johnson was deducted one point in round 1 due to an illegal knee.
Win
13–7
Gabriel Checco
Decision (unanimous)
Eagle FC 47
May 20, 2022
3
5:00
Miami, Florida , United States
Return to Light Heavyweight.
Loss
12–7
Bruno Silva
TKO (punches)
UFC Fight Night: Ladd vs. Dumont
October 16, 2021
3
2:35
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Loss
12–6
Makhmud Muradov
TKO (flying knee and punches)
UFC 257
January 24, 2021
3
2:59
Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates
Win
12–5
Wellington Turman
KO (punch)
UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Oleinik
August 8, 2020
1
4:14
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Performance of the Night.
Loss
11–5
Marvin Vettori
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Joanna vs. Waterson
October 12, 2019
3
5:00
Tampa, Florida , United States
Win
11–4
Marc-André Barriault
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Iaquinta vs. Cowboy
May 4, 2019
3
5:00
Ottawa, Ontario , Canada
Win
10–4
Markus Perez
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick
August 25, 2018
3
5:00
Lincoln, Nebraska , United States
Loss
9–4
Ryan Janes
TKO (punches)
The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion Finale
December 1, 2017
3
0:59
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Loss
9–3
Anthony Smith
KO (head kick and punches)
UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Reis
April 9, 2017
3
3:52
Kansas City, Missouri , United States
Win
9–2
Trevor Smith
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Abdurakhimov
December 9, 2016
3
5:00
Albany, New York , United States
Return to Middleweight.
Win
8–2
Khalil Rountree
Decision (unanimous)
The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia Finale
July 8, 2016
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Won The Ultimate Fighter 23 Light Heavyweight Tournament.
Win
7–2
John Poppie
TKO (spinning back fist and punches)
RFA 28
August 7, 2015
3
1:53
St. Louis, Missouri , United States
Won the vacant RFA Middleweight Championship.
Win
6–2
Clinton Williams
TKO (punches)
RFA 26
June 5, 2015
2
1:17
Broomfield, Colorado , United States
Loss
5–2
Kevin Casey
KO (punches)
RFA 15
June 6, 2014
1
2:30
Los Angeles, California , United States
For the vacant RFA Middleweight Championship.
Win
5–1
Miles Marshall
TKO (punches)
RFA 13
March 7, 2014
2
1:25
Lincoln, Nebraska , United States
Win
4–1
Todd Meredith
TKO (punches)
RFA 11
November 22, 2013
1
1:51
Broomfield, Colorado , United States
Loss
3–1
Dustin Jacoby
Decision (split)
Capital City Cage Wars: The Uprising
March 2, 2013
3
5:00
Springfield, Illinois , United States
Win
3–0
Thomas Jones
TKO (punches)
TTP: Tommy Tran Promotions
November 17, 2012
1
2:57
Branson, Missouri , United States
Win
2–0
Darryl Cobb
Submission (rear-naked choke)
FHMMA: Fight Hard MMA
August 18, 2012
1
4:33
St. Charles, Missouri , United States
Win
1–0
Edward Smith
Submission (rear-naked choke)
CC 38: Cage Championships 38
June 23, 2012
1
1:42
Sullivan, Missouri , United States
[ 44]
Exhibition record breakdown
3 matches
3 wins
0 losses
By knockout
1
0
By decision
2
0
See also
References
^ a b c "Andrew Sanchez" . ufc.com . Retrieved May 31, 2017 .
^ Mixed martial arts show results Date: August 8, 2020
^ Damon Martin (April 6, 2016). "Cast revealed for 'The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Claudia' " . foxsports.com . Retrieved April 6, 2016 .
^ Mike Bohn (April 20, 2016). "Episode No. 1 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 23: Team Joanna vs. Team Claudia' " . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved April 20, 2016 .
^ Sherdog.com. " 'TUF 23' Recap: Episode 4" . Sherdog . Retrieved May 5, 2021 .
^ "Episode No. 10 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 23: Team Joanna vs. Team Claudia' " . MMA Junkie . June 23, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2021 .
^ Staff (July 6, 2016). "Friday's TUF 23 Finale lineup set with Rountree-Sanchez, Cooper-Suarez tourney finals" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved July 6, 2016 .
^ " 'El Dirte' Dominates Rountree, Win TUF 23 Final" . MMAmania.com . Retrieved July 1, 2017 .
^ "Andrew Sanchez suffocates Khalil Rountree in shutout victory | FOX Sports" . FOX Sports . July 9, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2017 .
^ Staff (October 20, 2016). " 'El Dirte' vs. 'Hot Sauce': Andrew Sanchez vs. Trevor Smith set for UFC Fight Night 102" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved October 20, 2016 .
^ Ben Fowlkes (December 9, 2016). "UFC Fight Night 102 results: Andrew Sanchez tags Trevor Smith early, earns clean sweep on cards" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved December 9, 2016 .
^ Staff (February 11, 2017). "UFC heads to Kansas City for first time for UFC on FOX 24" . mmajunkie.com . Retrieved February 11, 2017 .
^ Steven Marrocco (April 15, 2017). "UFC on FOX 24 results: Anthony Smith turns tables on Andrew Sanchez late, wins by KO" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved April 15, 2017 .
^ Tristen Critchfield (August 30, 2017). "Andrew Sanchez vs. Ryan Janes booked for 'TUF 26' Finale on Dec. 1" . sherdog.com. Retrieved August 30, 2017 .
^ "TUF 26 Finale results: Ryan Janes survives near finish, TKOs Andrew Sanchez in third" . MMAjunkie . December 2, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017 .
^ DNA, MMA. "TUF 23 winnaar Andrew Sanchez treft Antonio Braga Neto tijdens UFC Lincoln" . mmadna.nl . Retrieved May 4, 2018 .
^ Marcel Dorff (August 2, 2018). "Markus Perez replaces Antonio Braga Neto against Andrew Sanchez at UFC Lincoln" (in Dutch). mmadna.nl. Retrieved August 2, 2018 .
^ "UFC Fight Night 135 results: Andrew Sanchez tops animated Markus Perez by decision" . MMAjunkie . August 26, 2018. Retrieved August 26, 2018 .
^ Jesse Holland (February 20, 2019). "UFC Ottawa official for May 4 on ESPN+" . mmamania.com. Retrieved February 20, 2019 .
^ Bitter, Shawn (May 4, 2019). "UFC Ottawa Results: Andrew Sanchez Earns Decision Win Over Marc-Andre Barriault" . Cageside Press . Retrieved May 5, 2019 .
^ "David Branch vs. Andrew Sanchez set for ESPN+ 16" . MMA Junkie . June 13, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019 .
^ DNA, MMA. "David Branch haakt geblesseerd af voor gevecht tegen Andrew Sanchez tijdens UFC Vancouver" . Retrieved August 2, 2019 .
^ "Andrew Sanchez vs. Marvin Vettori pulled from UFC on ESPN+ 16 due to illness" . MMA Junkie . September 11, 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2019 .
^ Farah Hannoun (September 12, 2019). "Andrew Sanchez: Eye infection forced me off UFC Vancouver; Marvin Vettori fight rebooked" . mmajunkie.com . Retrieved September 12, 2019 .
^ Shillan, Keith (October 12, 2019). "UFC Tampa Results: Marvin Vettori Wins Grudge Match Against Andrew Sanchez" . Cageside Press . Retrieved October 13, 2019 .
^ Alexander K. Lee (January 24, 2020). "Anthony Smith to fight Glover Teixeira in UFC Lincoln main event, four other fights added" . mmafighting. Retrieved January 25, 2020 .
^ Damon Martin (April 9, 2020). "UFC 249, upcoming events postponed due to coronavirus pandemic, Dana White promises 'Fight Island' will proceed" . mmafighting.com. Retrieved April 9, 2020 .
^ Marcelo Barone (June 18, 2020). "In search of his second UFC win, Wellington Turman faces Andrew Sanchez in August" . sportv.globo.com . Retrieved June 18, 2020 . (in Portuguese)
^ Evanoff, Josh (August 8, 2020). "UFC Vegas 6 Results: Andrew Sanchez Flatlines Wellington Turman" . Cageside Press . Retrieved August 9, 2020 .
^ a b Ryan Galloway (August 9, 2020). "UFC Fight Night: Lewis Vs. Oleinik Bonuses" . lowkickmma.com. Retrieved August 9, 2020 .
^ DNA, MMA (November 19, 2020). "Drie nieuwe gevechten toegevoegd aan verschillende UFC evenementen" . MMA DNA . Retrieved November 19, 2020 .
^ Richard Wagner (December 24, 2020). "Fight in the same event as McGregor! Who will the Czech/Uzbek oppose?" . sport.tn.nova.cz. Archived from the original on April 16, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2020 . (in Czech)
^ Anderson, Jay (January 23, 2021). "UFC 257 Results: Makhmud Muradov Shocks Andrew Sanchez for 14th Straight Win" . Cageside Press . Retrieved January 24, 2021 .
^ DNA, MMA (August 25, 2021). "The Ultimate Fighter winnaar Andrew Sanchez treft Bruno Silva op 16 oktober" . MMA DNA . Retrieved August 26, 2021 .
^ Evanoff, Josh (October 16, 2021). "UFC Vegas 40 Results: Bruno Silva Completes Comeback, Stops Andrew Sanchez" . Cageside Press . Retrieved October 17, 2021 .
^ Martin, Damon (October 28, 2021). "TUF 23 champion Andrew Sanchez released from the UFC" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved October 28, 2021 .
^ "Alexandre 'Capitão' encara ex-UFC em estreia no evento de Khabib Nurmagomedov" . ESPN.com (in Portuguese). March 28, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022 .
^ Al-Shatti, Shaun (May 20, 2022). "Eagle FC 47 results: Junior dos Santos injures shoulder, Hector Lombard vs. Thiago Silva ends in no contest" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved May 22, 2022 .
^ Lee, Alexander K. (May 12, 2023). "PFL announces second-half event lineups following 9 fighters receiving drug test suspensions" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved May 14, 2023 .
^ "PFL 4 results: Jesus Pinedo stuns Brendan Loughnane with first-round knockout" . MMAFighting. June 9, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2023 .
^ "Changes hit PFL's Utah debut: Salt Lake City gets 'El Dirte' Sanchez" . MMA Junkie . May 22, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2024 .
^ Staff (June 21, 2024). "2024 PFL 5: Collard vs. Burnell Full Results" . Cageside Press . Retrieved June 21, 2024 .
^ "Sadibou Sy's speed and kicks on display en route to a last-minute finish" . pflmma.com . Retrieved August 4, 2024 .
^ Sherdog.com. "Andrew" . Sherdog . Retrieved October 12, 2019 .
External links