UFC legend Diego Sanchez is renowned for his super-aggressive style and history of incredible wars in the octagon. Now, he’s helping a friend overcome hard times the way he knows best-FIGHTING!
Today’s story on Diego Sanchez and Isaac Marquez is truly inspiring. The popular UFC lightweight/featherweight is normally associated with blood-spattered wars in the octagon and has beaten stern competition during a near-13-year tenure.
Perhaps most recognizable for his wildly entertaining classic against Cly Guida, Sanchez has fought against some elite competition. His next opponent, though, could prove to be ‘The Nightmare’s’ toughest to date, as he also possesses the heart of a lion.
Isaac Marquez, also known as ‘The Shermanator,’ is a 32-year old UFC super-fan living with down syndrome. Earlier this year, Sanchez took Marquez through the doors of the legendary Jackson-Wink gym in Albuquerque, and he’s never looked back.
Grab some tissues, folks, this one is a tear-jerker.
“The Shermanator”
“He came to just come and check out the gym and I told him, ‘You like MMA?’ and he said, ‘I love fighting,’ and then I said, ‘Alright. Well are you here to just watch or do you want to train?’ and he said, ‘I want to train.’ So, I said alright let’s do this,” Diego Sanchez explained to KRQE.com.
“He believes (he can fight in the UFC) with all of his heart, so I am going to make it happen. You know, he will be facing me, so I will be his opponent and we are going to have a championship fight,” Sanchez said.
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“Isaac lost his mother to dementia and if you ever talk to Isaac he will show you his tattoo. He is doing it all for his mom, and he is going to win the championship for his mom. So, that’s the kind of heart that this kid has,” Diego Sanchez said.
Sanchez will, in fact, face Marquez in an exhibition MMA bout. Here’s a clip of Marquez training with his friend ‘The Nightmare’ in the famed Albuquerque gym:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVXymRAgyqy/?hl=en&taken-by=isaacmarquezabq
It’s certainly a heart-warming tale, and just goes to show that MMA provides endless possibilities to people from all walks of life.
isaacmarquezabq gets his big fight!he is dedicating it to his mom who died of dementia. This… https://t.co/drESaW2zDp
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) November 27, 2017
Taking place on December 1 at the Isleta Resort and Casino, Sanchez vs. Marquez is a must-see fight. Sanchez says he hopes to open the doors to more people living with down syndrome being able to interact with the MMA world.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcAmX8fH0-8/
