American mixed martial arts fighter
Emmanuel Sanchez (born August 11, 1990) is an American mixed martial artist currently in the Lightweight division. A professional competitor since 2011, Sanchez has formerly competed for Bellator MMA , where he was a contender for the Featherweight World Championship , and Resurrection Fighting Alliance .
Background
Born and raised in a lower-middle-class family of Mexican immigrants, Sanchez wrestled as a kid but did not continue to the high school level in the sport.[ 1] He became interested in MMA and Brazilian jiu-jitsu while attending high school. After a successful amateur career, Sanchez began his professional career in 2011, starting his professional career at 4–0.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Sanchez began his professional MMA career in November 2011. He compiled a record of 8–1 before signing with Bellator MMA .
During this time, Sanchez mainly competed in the lightweight division, before moving down to featherweight. He also competed once as a welterweight, in which he suffered his first professional loss against current UFC competitor Lewis Gonzalez.
Bellator MMA
Sanchez made his promotional debut against Stephen Banaszak at Bellator 128 on October 10, 2014. He won the fight via rear-naked choke submission at 2:18 in the first round.[ 2]
In his second fight for the promotion, Sanchez faced Alejandro Villalobos at Bellator 135 on March 27, 2015. He won the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision.[ 3]
Stepping in for an injured Goiti Yamauchi , Sanchez faced former Bellator featherweight champion Pat Curran at Bellator 139 on June 26, 2015.[ 4] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Sanchez next faced Henry Corrales at Bellator 143 on September 25, 2015. He won the fight via split decision.
In his highest profile fight to date, Sanchez faced UFC veteran Justin Lawrence on November 6, 2015 at Bellator 145 .[ 5] He won the back-and-forth fight via split decision.
As the last fight of his prevailing contract, Sanchez next faced Daniel Pineda on the main card at Bellator 149 on February 19, 2016.[ 1] He won the fight by split decision.
As the first fight of his new, multi-year contract with Bellator, Sanchez faced Daniel Weichel at Bellator 159 on July 22, 2016.[ 6] He lost via split decision.[ 7]
Sanchez returned the following January and faced Georgi Karakhanyan at Bellator 170 . He won the fight via majority decision. One point was taken from Sanchez in the second round due to two illegal knee strikes.[ 8]
Sanchez faced former Bellator bantamweight champion Marcos Galvao , who moved up to the featherweight division, at Bellator 175 on March 31, 2017. He won the fight via unanimous decision.[ 9]
Sanchez faced Daniel Straus at Bellator 184 on October 6, 2017.[ 10] He won the fight via triangle choke submission in the third round.[ 11]
Sanchez faced Sam Sicilia at Bellator 198 on April 28, 2018. He won the fight by submission due to an arm triangle from the back position in the 1st round.
Sanchez faced Bellator Featherweight Champion Patrício Freire at Bellator 209 on November 16, 2018.[ 12] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[ 13]
Sanchez faced Georgi Karakhanyan at Bellator 218 on March 22, 2019. He won the bout via unanimous decision.
Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix
Sanchez next faced prospect Tywan Claxton in the opening round of the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix on September 7, 2019 at Bellator 226 . He won the fight via submission in the second round.[ 14]
In the quarterfinals, Sanchez was initially expected to face Daniel Weichel in a rematch in February 2020.[ 15] However, the date got pushed back and they were next expected to face at Bellator 241 on March 13, 2020.[ 16] Eventually the whole event was cancelled due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic . The bout was rescheduled and took place at Bellator 252 on November 12.[ 17] Sanchez won the bout via unanimous decision.
In the semifinals, Sanchez faced Patrício Freire for the Bellator Featherweight World Championship at Bellator 255 on April 2. This was a rematch of their November 2018 bout which saw Freire win by unanimous decision.[ 18] He lost the fight via technical submission in round one.[ 19]
Post Grand Prix
Sanchez faced Mads Burnell at Bellator 263 on July 31, 2021.[ 20] He lost the very close bout via unanimous decision.[ 21]
Sanchez faced Jeremy Kennedy on December 3, 2021 at Bellator 272 .[ 22] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[ 23]
Moving up to Lightweight, Sanchez faced Yancy Medeiros on April 23, 2022 at Bellator 279 .[ 24] Sanchez lost the bout via unanimous decision.[ 25]
Sanchez faced Archie Colgan on June 16, 2023 at Bellator 297 .[ 26] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[ 27]
Post Bellator
Sanchez faced Daniel Salas on April 12, 2024 at XFC 50.[ 28] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[ 29]
Sanchez faced Peter Petties on May 25, 2024 in the main event of Anthony Pettis 11.[ 30] He won the fight via second round submission.[ 31]
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
33 matches
22 wins
11 losses
By knockout
1
1
By submission
9
1
By decision
12
9
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Loss
22–11
Kenneth Cross
Decision (unanimous)
XFC 51
September 27, 2024
3
5:00
Milwaukee, Wisconsin , United States
Loss
22–10
Yuji Yannick Ephoeviga
KO (punches)
TTF Challenge 10
August 16, 2024
1
3:40
Tokyo , Japan
Win
22–9
Peter Petties
Technical Submission (guillotine choke)
Anthony Pettis FC 11
May 25, 2024
2
1:02
Milwaukee, Wisconsin , United States
Catchweight (160 lb) bout.
Win
21–9
Daniel Salas
Decision (unanimous)
XFC 50
April 12, 2024
3
5:00
Lakeland, Florida , United States
Loss
20–9
Archie Colgan
Decision (unanimous)
Bellator 297
June 16, 2023
3
5:00
Chicago, Illinois , United States
Loss
20–8
Yancy Medeiros
Decision (unanimous)
Bellator 279
April 23, 2022
3
5:00
Honolulu, Hawaii , United States
Return to Lightweight.
Loss
20–7
Jeremy Kennedy
Decision (unanimous)
Bellator 272
December 3, 2021
3
5:00
Uncasville, Connecticut , United States
Loss
20–6
Mads Burnell
Decision (unanimous)
Bellator 263
July 31, 2021
3
5:00
Los Angeles, California , United States
Loss
20–5
Patrício Pitbull
Technical Submission (guillotine choke)
Bellator 255
April 2, 2021
1
3:35
Uncasville, Connecticut , United States
Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix Semifinal. For the Bellator Featherweight World Championship .
Win
20–4
Daniel Weichel
Decision (unanimous)
Bellator 252
November 12, 2020
5
5:00
Uncasville, Connecticut , United States
Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win
19–4
Tywan Claxton
Submission (triangle choke)
Bellator 226
September 7, 2019
2
4:11
San Jose, California , United States
Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix Opening Round.
Win
18–4
Georgi Karakhanyan
Decision (unanimous)
Bellator 218
March 22, 2019
3
5:00
Thackerville, Oklahoma , United States
Loss
17–4
Patrício Pitbull
Decision (unanimous)
Bellator 209
November 15, 2018
5
5:00
Tel Aviv, Israel
For the Bellator Featherweight World Championship .
Win
17–3
Sam Sicilia
Submission (arm-triangle choke)
Bellator 198
April 28, 2018
1
3:52
Rosemont, Illinois , United States
Win
16–3
Daniel Straus
Submission (triangle choke)
Bellator 184
October 6, 2017
3
1:56
Thackerville, Oklahoma , United States
Win
15–3
Marcos Galvão
Decision (unanimous)
Bellator 175
March 31, 2017
3
5:00
Rosemont, Illinois , United States
Win
14–3
Georgi Karakhanyan
Decision (majority)
Bellator 170
January 21, 2017
3
5:00
Inglewood, California , United States
Loss
13–3
Daniel Weichel
Decision (split)
Bellator 159
July 22, 2016
3
5:00
Mulvane, Kansas , United States
Win
13–2
Daniel Pineda
Decision (split)
Bellator 149
February 19, 2016
3
5:00
Houston, Texas , United States
Catchweight (150 lbs) bout.
Win
12–2
Justin Lawrence
Decision (split)
Bellator 145
November 6, 2015
3
5:00
St. Louis, Missouri , United States
Win
11–2
Henry Corrales
Decision (split)
Bellator 143
September 25, 2015
3
5:00
Hidalgo, Texas , United States
Loss
10–2
Pat Curran
Decision (unanimous)
Bellator 139
June 26, 2015
3
5:00
Mulvane, Kansas , United States
Win
10–1
Alejandro Villalobos
Decision (unanimous)
Bellator 135
March 27, 2015
3
5:00
Thackerville, Oklahoma , United States
Win
9–1
Stephen Banaszak
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Bellator 128
October 10, 2014
1
2:18
Thackerville, Oklahoma , United States
Win
8–1
Brady Hovermale
Submission (armbar)
NAFC: Summer Slam
July 26, 2014
1
1:53
Milwaukee, Wisconsin , United States
Win
7–1
Jose Pacheco
Submission (triangle choke)
NAFC: Mega Brawl
May 31, 2014
1
2:44
Milwaukee, Wisconsin , United States
Featherweight debut.
Win
6–1
Gustavo Rodriguez
KO (punch)
NAFC: Super Brawl 2
January 31, 2014
1
3:53
Milwaukee, Wisconsin , United States
Win
5–1
Michael McBride
Decision (unanimous)
RFA 10: Rhodes vs. Jouban
October 25, 2013
3
5:00
Des Moines, Iowa , United States
Return to Lightweight .
Loss
4–1
Lewis Gonzalez
Decision (unanimous)
WFC 5: Andrews vs. Griffin
May 3, 2013
3
5:00
Sacramento, California , United States
Welterweight debut.
Win
4–0
Brandon Dudley
Decision (split)
CageSport 21
September 29, 2012
3
5:00
Fife, Washington , United States
Win
3–0
Travis Johnson
Submission (rear-naked choke)
UCS: Caged Combat 6
July 14, 2012
2
2:51
Grand Ronde, Oregon , United States
Win
2–0
Juan Carlos Rodriguez
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Northwest Fighting: Young Guns 1
April 28, 2012
1
3:24
Usk, Washington , United States
Win
1–0
Matt Church
Decision (unanimous)
Fight Night: Round 17: Clash at the College
November 19, 2011
3
5:00
Mount Vernon, Washington , United States
Lightweight debut.
[ 32]
See also
References
^ a b c d e f David Willford (February 13, 2016). "Bellator 149: In depth with Emmanuel Sanchez" .
^ Mike Bohn (October 10, 2014). "Bellator 128 results: Warren grinds past Dantas to unify bantamweight titles" . mmajunkie.com.
^ Staff (March 27, 2015). "Bellator 135 results: Marcos Galvao takes belt via kneebar when Joe Warren screams" . mmajunkie.com.
^ Guilherme Cruz (June 8, 2015). "Pat Curran gets new opponent for Bellator 139" . mmafighting.com.
^ "Bellator 145 Fight Card" . bellator.com . 2015-11-06.[permanent dead link ]
^ Luke Thomas (March 28, 2016). "Emmanuel Sanchez signs multi-year extension with Bellator MMA" . mmafighting.com.
^ John Morgan (July 22, 2016). "Bellator 159 results: Taimanglo scores upset, Guillard wins and moves to 170" . mmajunkie.com.
^ Mike Sloan (January 21, 2017). "Tito Ortiz Ends MMA Career with First-Round Sub of Chael Sonnen at Bellator 170" . sherdog.com.
^ Matt Erickson (March 31, 2017). "Bellator 175 results: 'King Mo' Lawal evens score with decision over 'Rampage' Jackson" . mmajunkie.com.
^ Staff (July 14, 2017). "Bellator 184 set for Oct. 6 with champ Eduardo Dantas vs. Darrion Caldwell, Emmanuel Sanchez vs. Daniel Straus" . mmajunkie.com.
^ "Bellator 198 results: Emmanuel Sanchez submits Sam Sicilia in first round" . MMAjunkie . 2018-04-29. Retrieved 2018-04-29 .
^ "Bellator's Emmanuel Sanchez on title fight vs. Patricio Freire: 'I just believe that I want it more' " . www.msn.com . Retrieved 2018-11-21 .
^ "Emmanuel Sanchez calls for Patricio 'Pitbull' title rematch after Bellator 209" . MMAjunkie . 2018-11-20. Retrieved 2018-11-21 .
^ "Bellator 226 Results: Bader vs. Kongo" . MMA Fighting . September 8, 2019.
^ Damon Martin (September 29, 2019). "Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix quarterfinal fights determined, dates revealed" . mmafighting.com.
^ Nolan King (January 9, 2020). "Patricio Freire vs. Pedro Carvalho, Emmanuel Sanchez vs. Daniel Weichel set for Bellator 241" . mmajunkie.com.
^ Steven Marrocco (October 15, 2020). "Bellator featherweight grand prix bouts set with Daniel Weichel vs. Emmanuel Sanchez, A.J. McKee vs. Darrion Caldwell" . MMAFighting.com .
^ Danny Segura (February 9, 2021). "Patricio 'Pitbull' vs. Emmanuel Sanchez grand prix semifinal headlines Bellator 255" . MMA Junkie . Retrieved February 9, 2021 .
^ Anderson, Jay (2 April 2021). "Bellator 255 Results: Patricio Pitbull Chokes Out Emmanuel Sanchez, Sets Up Showdown with McKee" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 3 April 2021 .
^ "Bellator 263 adds Mads Burnell vs. Emmanuel Sanchez" . MMA Junkie . 2021-06-15. Retrieved 2021-06-15 .
^ Anderson, Jay (2021-07-31). "Bellator 263 Results: Mads Burnell Wins Decision Over Emmanuel Sanchez in Thriller" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2021-08-01 .
^ "Bellator 272 adds Emmanuel Sanchez vs. Jeremy Kennedy, three other fights" . MMA Junkie . 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2021-10-29 .
^ Anderson, Jay (2021-12-03). "Bellator 272: Jeremy Kennedy Wrestles His Way Past Emmanuel Sanchez" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2021-12-04 .
^ "Yancy Medeiros gets wish, signs on for Hawaii homecoming against Emmanuel Sanchez at Bellator 279" . MMA Junkie . 2022-03-17. Retrieved 2022-03-17 .
^ Anderson, Jay (2022-04-23). "Yancy Medeiros and Emmanuel Sanchez Throw Down in Thriller to Kick Off Bellator 279 Main Card" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2022-04-24 .
^ FightBookMMA (2023-04-12). "BELLATOR 297: Nemkov vs. Romero adds 8 more fights" . FightBook MMA . Retrieved 2023-04-12 .
^ Sherdog.com. "Bellator 297 'Nemkov vs. Romero' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring" . Sherdog . Retrieved 2023-06-18 .
^ Entertainment, Xtreme One (2024-02-27). "Xtreme One Entertainment to Officially Relaunch XFC Mixed Martial Arts League with XFC 50 in Florida" . NEWS10 ABC . Retrieved 2024-02-29 .
^ Sherdog.com. "XFC 50 - Xtreme Fighting Championships" . Sherdog . Retrieved 2024-04-22 .
^ "Sanchez/Petties Tilt Caps Fight Fiesta Saturday in Milwaukee" . 22 May 2024.
^ "Anthony Pettis FC 11: Fight Fiesta Results" . 26 May 2024.
^ Sherdog.com. "Emmanuel" . Sherdog . Retrieved 2018-11-21 .
Professional MMA record for Emmanuel Sanchez from Sherdog