UFC
UFC QUOTABLES: Diego Sanchez sees holes in Paulo Thiago's game, wants to make another lightweight title run
Oct 21, 2010 - 4:15:42 PM UFC QUOTABLES: Diego Sanchez sees holes in Paulo Thiago's game, wants to make another lightweight title run

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

"I want to be the best and I want to continue to get better. I've made some mistakes in my career, I've made some bad decisions, and there's been multiple times where I was growing up and I got sucked into the limelight. But right now, I realized in my last fight that when it's all said and done, it just comes down to earning the W. So my mentality now is, I'm just gonna earn it. I'm gonna earn the victory, work hard, and when I go in that gym, I want to be the hardest worker in there. That's my whole new mindset on mixed martial arts and my career – be the hardest worker and earn the victory. John [Hathaway] came in there, he worked harder than me, he earned the victory, he was more disciplined, and that's the way it goes in MMA...

[Paulo Thiago is] a tough guy. I think his striking's good, but I don't think it's great. I think he kinda got lucky with the Koscheck knockout and I don't think he's some flashy standup guy. I see a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guy; that's his base, that's his foundation, and that's his strength. As far as his wrestling goes, he's been outwrestled in the past by several guys so I see holes in his game. I think he's very tough and I think he's the perfect opponent for me right now in my career... And just for the record, I do plan on dropping back to 155 after this fight. Me and Greg (Jackson) and the team are just gonna work together and see what (UFC matchmaker) Joe (Silva) can get lined up for me. And like I said, my whole mindset is to earn the victory and that's it."

-Diego Sanchez talks to UFC.com about taking John Hathaway lightly, his fight with Paulo Thiago this Saturday and wanting to make another title run at lightweight.

Penick's Analysis: A highly motivated Diego Sanchez can be a force against just about anyone, outside of perhaps B.J. Penn. It's good to hear him admit that he took the fight with John Hathaway earlier this year lightly, because it was a completely disappointing performance from him that he's owning up for. If he can make adjustments and come into Anaheim on Saturday completely prepared, he can absolutely defeat Paulo Thiago. We'll find out what Sanchez is ready, willing and able to accomplish once he steps back into the cage at UFC 121.