Sanchez: I would beat champ Pettis 9 of 10 times
Although he is coming off a loss, Diego Sanchez still believes he has a title run left in him and that he has the tools to dethrone current champion Anthony Pettis:
Although he is coming off a loss, Diego Sanchez still believes he has a title run left in him and that he has the tools to dethrone current champion Anthony Pettis:
I feel I have everything to offer [Pettis], I just haven’t got to show it yet, he said. I’ve shown moments of my greatness, moments in my Paulo Thiago fight, in the Gilbert Melendez fight, in the third round of the Jake Ellenberger (fight), (and) with Martin Kampmann. There’s been a lot of moments, but have I yet to put it together? No. After the Melendez fight, I was able to realize I need to be a high-level kickboxer and a high-level striker before anything, because the fight starts on the feet.
Yeah, I have a great chin and great conditioning, but I need to be able to strike and be efficient and accurate. So that’s something I’ve finally realized, and I really went to work with my team. But I haven’t been able to show it yet. As far as wrestling and ground skills with Pettis, I think I’m on another level. He has some nice ground skills, too, but I feel like I’m on another level, and (with) size and strength, I feel that’s a fight I win nine out of 10 times.