Sanchez cuts professional ties with controversial coach
Former UFC fighter Diego Sanchez is no longer being coached or managed by controversial trainer Joshua Fabia, he confirmed to MMA Fighting's Steven Marrocco Thursday.
Sanchez declined to speak further on the development and said he'll make a statement next week.
His attorney, Charles Lakins, told Marrocco that "any power of attorney that Fabia had has been rescinded/terminated."
Sanchez began working with Fabia in 2019 ahead of his fight against Mickey Gall. Fabia is a self-proclaimed healer and owns the School of Self-Awareness. He quickly became one of the most polarizing figures in mixed martial arts due to his unorthodox training methods and apparent control over Sanchez's career.
The UFC released Sanchez last month over a medical dispute. Fabia raised red flags with a promotion executive when he requested medical documents from Sanchez's entire 16-year UFC career. The promotion parted ways with Sanchez and canceled his May 8 bout against Donald Cerrone after the fighter and his team couldn't confirm that he wasn't suffering from short- or long-term medical issues.
Fabia lashed out at UFC broadcast team members during a fighter meeting ahead of Sanchez's most recent bout last September, arguing Sanchez was mistreated on past broadcasts. Sanchez posted a video of the confrontation on his Instagram account in April, just hours before news of his UFC release was made public.
Sanchez, 39, started competing for the UFC in 2005 after winning the inaugural season of "The Ultimate Fighter" and was considered a fan favorite. He left the promotion with a 19-13 record and one title challenge under his belt.
Sanchez hasn't publicly discussed his future plans in combat sports.