Iconic UFC Fighter Sentenced for Firearm Offense

Diego Sanchez appeared in court again on Thursday, March 26, to receive his sentence following an arrest on multiple firearm-related charges. The UFC Hall of Famer was sentenced to five years of supervised probation by an Albuquerque judge, according to local media outlet KOB 4, which was present in the courtroom during the sentencing.

In February, Sanchez pleaded guilty to a charge of shooting from or at a motor vehicle without causing great bodily harm. The act is classified as a fourth-degree felony and stems from an arrest last July. Sanchez, who was a passenger in a car, allegedly leaned out the window and fired a shot into the air while passing the scene of an accident. Police followed the vehicle and arrested Sanchez. He denied firing the weapon but informed the officer that there was a gun in the car.

Initially, Sanchez also faced a second charge for negligent use of a deadly weapon, but this was dismissed as part of his plea agreement with the prosecution.

According to the report, prosecutors pushed for a two-year prison sentence due to Sanchez's "reckless actions in shooting from the car window." The fighter admitted he made a mistake and shared that he had undergone treatment and was taking new medication for bipolar disorder.

Following the court's decision, Sanchez commented on the situation outside the courthouse, with his statement captured by KOB 4.

"All I can do is take responsibility, own up to it, and spread positivity so the younger generation can change these habits," Sanchez told reporters. "Don't be shooting out of windows like cowboys."

Sanchez competed 32 times in the octagon, winning 19 bouts and fighting for a UFC title. His June 2009 fight with Clay Guida at the TUF 9 Finale was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2009.

After parting ways with the UFC in 2020, Sanchez recorded two losses – to Kevin Lee at Eagle FC in March 2022 and to Austin Trout at BKFC KnuckleMania 3 in February 2023.