TUF 1 icon Diego Sanchez arrested after gunshot; former UFC fighter faces criminal charges

Diego Sanchez was cut from the UFC after 16 years. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

MMA icon and winner of the first edition of 'The Ultimate Fighter', Diego Sanchez returned to the headlines this Friday (18), but for reasons far from the octagons. The 43-year-old veteran was arrested during the early hours of the morning in Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA), after firing a gun from inside a car, close to a traffic accident. The information was released by 'KRQE'.

The incident occurred around 2 a.m. and resulted in criminal charges that could worsen the former fighter's already unstable situation outside the sport. According to local police, Sanchez was in the passenger seat of a Jeep Gladiator when he pulled out a pistol and fired at least one shot through the window while passing an area where emergency responders were responding to a collision.

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Despite denying the shooting, Sanchez confirmed he was carrying a Glock 42, a weapon that was seized unloaded in the back seat along with three rounds of ammunition. The driver of the vehicle, whose name was not released, was released and cooperated with authorities, stating that the shot was indeed fired by Diego.

Now, the former UFC fighter is formally charged with two crimes: discharging a firearm from a vehicle (a 4th-degree crime, with a sentence of up to 18 months) and negligent use of a deadly weapon, considered a minor offense, but which can result in a fine and probation.

Diego Sanchez out of the UFC: addictions and relapses

In an interview with the website 'MMA Fighting', his representative Ricky Kottenstette stated that Diego still faces serious problems with 'substance abuse'.

"He's already been through rehabilitation, but he needs a constant support system. Our focus now is to ensure he receives the appropriate treatment," Kottenstette said.

Since his turbulent departure from the UFC in 2020, marked by disagreements with the medical team and inconsistent performances, Sanchez has spoken publicly about depression and drug addiction.

In 2023, he even ventured into Bare Knuckle FC, a bare-knuckle boxing event, where he was defeated by Austin Trout, in his last appearance as a professional.