That was absolutely brutal! In a fight that may well be the last for both men, Matt Brown sent Diego Sanchez face first to the mat with a crushing elbow to the head…
The Ted Constant Convocation Center in Norfolk, Virginia played host to a great night of action last night. UFC Fight Night 120 featured former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis against Dustin Poirier in the main event.
Appearances from Andrei Arlovski, Sage Northcutt, Clay Guida and Joe Lauzon also highlighted the card. During the co-main event, two of the promotions most experienced sluggers went to war, but it wasn’t a three-round slugfest.
Sharing a combined 27 years and 77 fights in MMA, Matt Brown and Diego Sanchez are undoubtedly in the twilight of their respective careers. Both men have been in harrowing slugfests during their UFC tenure.
Matchmaking was on point, in theory, for Brown vs. Sanchez, but in reality, it was a one-sided beating.
The Immortal Ends His Career on High Note
Before facing Sanchez in Norfolk, Brown declared he would retire after the fight. Having lost three straight by finish and five of his last six, ‘The Immortal’ fought like he had nothing to lose.
During the opening round, Brown caught a kick attempt from Sanchez and launched a brutal elbow to the head. ‘The Nightmare’ crumpled to the canvas face first, out before he hit the mat.
Watch the finish courtesy of the UFC on FOX UFC Twitter channel:
WHAT AN ELBOW! Matt Brown KO's Diego Sanchez for the finish at #UFCNorfolk! https://t.co/i7MIUI1rXE
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) November 12, 2017
Although he is yet to officially retire, it’s expected Brown won’t compete again after this KO win. Before the fight, ‘The Immortal’ urged the equally wartorn Sanchez to call it a day too. After seeing how badly he was finished against Al Iaquinta and now Brown, it’s hard to argue against retirement.
Sanchez was one of the Ultimate Fighter 1 originals, winning the season lightweight tournament. He’s competed at the top level for many years, even getting an unsuccessful title fight with BJ Penn.
Time Waits For No Man
MMA is an unforgiving sport and when time catches up with you, it’s extremely hard to bounce back. Check out the list of UFC Fight Night 120 results below:
Dustin Poirier vs. Anthony Pettis — Poirier def. Pettis by submission (injury) at 2:08
Matt Brown vs. Diego Sanchez — Brown def. Sanchez by KO (elbow) at 3:44 of Round One
Junior Albini vs. Andrei Arlovski — Arlovski def. Albini by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27 x2)
Cezar Ferreira vs. Nate Marquardt — Ferreira def. Marquardt by split decision (28-29, 29-28 x2)
Raphael Assuncao vs. Matthew Lopez — Assuncao def. Lopez by KO (punch) at 1:50 of Round Three
Clay Guida vs. Joe Lauzon — Guida def. Lauzon by TKO (punches and elbows) at 1:07 of Round One
John Dodson vs. Marlon Moraes — Moraes def. Dodson by split decision (30-27, 27-30, 30-27)
Viviane Pereira vs. Tatiana Suarez — Suarez def. Pereira by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 30-26)
Sage Northcutt vs. Michel Quinones — Northcutt def. Quinones by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Nina Ansaroff vs. Angela Hill — Ansaroff def. Hill by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Court McGee vs. Sean Strickland — Strickland def. McGee by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
Jake Collier vs. Marcel Fortuna — Collier def. Fortuna by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
Karl Roberson vs. Darren Stewart — Roberson def. Stewart by submission (rear naked choke) at 3:41 of Round One
