Sanchez takes aim at Penn’s UFC belt

Diego Sanchez has been preparing for this opportunity his entire career.

The 27-year-old mixed martial arts fighter has built a 21-2 professional record, including an 11-2 mark and four straight wins in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

He won the middleweight title on the first season of "The Ultimate Fighter," owns wins over Joe Stevenson, Clay Guida, Kenny Florian and Karo Parisyan and has been a fan favorite for several years.

But Sanchez never has had the chance to fight for a belt in the organization.

That will change Saturday night when he tries to take the lightweight crown from BJ Penn in the main event of UFC 107 in Memphis, Tenn.

"This is what I've been working towards for eight years, to get in this position," Sanchez said on a teleconference call. "It's been one tough road to climb to the top of this to put myself in this position. I'm just excited and just ready to go in there and give it everything that I have and fight with my heart."

Even with all that's at stake, Sanchez insists he won't feel added pressure.

"There's going to be pressure in every fight. There's been pressure. There was pressure on me when I won the state (wrestling) championship in high school," the Albuquerque, N.M., native said. "Pressure is just something about being an athlete. There's always going to be pressure. If you don't know how to deal with pressure, you're never going to be a champion."

Sanchez possesses a wealth of skills in the cage but has prided himself on the mental aspect of the sport.

He practices yoga and follows the principles of motivational speaker Tony Robbins. Sanchez said his positive mental approach has been a significant factor in his success.

"In my mind, I'm going to beat anybody that's in the cage with me whether it be (Georges St. Pierre), whether it be Anderson Silva, I don't care. That's the way I'm rigged in the mind," he said. "It's proven in all fights you've got to believe if you're going to win. You've got to believe in yourself.

"That's why I believe I'm going to beat BJ Penn. Because it's my time. Everything in my career has built me up to this moment. And I'm healthy. I'm strong. My mental and spiritual side has never been stronger. Everything feels right, so I'm confident, and I'm just excited to go in there and do what I love."

The mental preparation continues right up through his ring entrances. Sanchez is known to pump his fist and chant "Yes, yes" as he walks to the cage before his fights.

"It's like going to battle, going to war. You better be ready. You better snap out of it. You better get ready to go to war," he said of his ritual. "That's all that is. I'm putting myself in a mental state where I'm going to war."

Penn will make the third defense of his lightweight belt. He said he knows Sanchez will bring intensity to the fight, along with all of his other skills.

"I think Diego is good in all areas. You know he's got great takedowns. He's got great jiu-jitsu, and I'm sure he has heavy hands and has improved his striking a lot," Penn said. "With all of that said, I think his greatest strength is his tenacity. He tries to come hard, and he tries to push the pace and all of those things."

The card will air on pay per view beginning at 7.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509.