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[Sakara=Excitement]

After title loss, Diego Sanchez returning to UFC's welterweight division | MMAjunkie.com

After winning the first season of "The Ultimate Fighter" as a middleweight, emerging as a top contender at welterweight, dropping to lightweight and losing a title shot to champion B.J. Penn in December, Diego Sanchez is apparently ready for a change.

On Monday the fighter said he plans to return to the welterweight division.

In a series of Twitter messages, "Nightmare" welcomed fights with everyone from Josh Koscheck to Jon Fitch to fellow weight-class jumper Nate Diaz.

But as MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) first reported on Monday, Diaz instead is expected to make the jump from lightweight to welterweight to fight Rory Markham at UFC 111 in New Jersey.

Still, Sanchez (21-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC), who went 7-2 in the UFC's welterweight division and 2-1 as a lightweight, stated, "Any top guy will do."

While ratting off opponents' names, Sanchez also stated Carlos Condit, Martin Kampmann and Mike Swick would be "great fights," as well.

"I'm loving my new diet," said Sanchez, citing a reason for the move back to 170 pounds.

Sanchez made his 155-pound debut in February 2009 and emerged as the No. 1 contender after a unanimous-decision win over Joe Stevenson and a split-decision win over Clay Guida (in a bout that won the 2009 World MMA Awards "Fight of the Year" category). However, Sanchez then suffered a beatdown and dropped a fifth-round TKO to Penn last month.

Unlikely to earn another lightweight title shot anytime soon, Sanchez now looks to put together a title run at 170 pounds.

[macewen]

So, i wonder if he thinks he can handle George? I say George eats him too. Either way, id like to see a kos rematch and fitch rematch. Also alves would be a fun fight.

[KevoOnTheRadio]

.....with his tail between his legs.

[rivethead]

That title doesn't make much sense. I know you've reprinted it exactly, but it implies that he held a title, and lost it.

It should read "After title-shot loss..."

or maybe

"After severe and utter beating by Penn..."

or maybe even

"After GSP discusses intentions of vacating WW division..."

rh

[Repenter]

well now this is just getting silly. the thing is, at WW, assuming GSP vacates the title... does anyone think that diego will be about to outclass fitch? koscheck? alves? or... the guy everyone knows will move right in... bj penn? at best he'll be a perpetual 'contender'. more likely he starts his decline.

[GL Jeff]

I feel bad for everyone at LW,WW, and MW right now. Most of those guys must be sitting at home hoping either a car accident happens or someone retires.

[Duskseyr]

lawlz. Sanchez got beat so bad he's runnin back to WW just in the hopes that GSP vacates the title so he MIGHT have a chance? Too fuckin funny!

[pa99ortiz]

155 is perfect for Diego, I would like to see him stay there.

[LefthookStcrook]

makes no sense to me, he must of had trouble making the weight. IMO you should be fighting in the lightest weight class you can healthily make.

Diego is a good fighter to throw in the mix, Im sure he will do well against Swick/Kampmann/Davis/Condit etc etc. GSP would finish Diego in under 3, Diego wont get past Alves either so whats the point?

I say he stays at LW and beats up Sherk, then Maynard and then the loser of Edgar/Penn(edgar), then he takes another crack at it. IMO anyways

[willpunisher]

i rather him stay at 155. but i'm still hoping and praying for a Sanchez vs Alves fight.