Diego Sanchez

By Timothy J. Gilbert

Former UFC lightweight contender Diego Sanchez will return to The Octagon at UFC 164 in August.

Coming off of a controversial split-decision victory over Takanori Gomi at UFC on Fuel TV 8, The Ultimate Fighter 1 winner spoke yesterday about his future fight possibilities.

“I talked to (UFC matchmaker) Joe Silva yesterday, and he penciled me in for Aug. 31,” Sanchez said in an interview with MMAJunkie.com.

No opponent has been announced as of yet, although Sanchez has no qualms fighting anyone.

“We’re looking at opponents. I did like I always do and said, ‘Look, you’re the man, Joe. You’re the one who makes all these big matchups. And I’m, in my opinion, in the most stacked division in the UFC, and there are plenty of great fights out there, and you’ll hook me up with a good scrap'” Sanchez said.

He went on to mention possible matchups against Pat Healy, Gilbert Melendez, Nate Diaz or Joe Lauzon.

Prior to his win over Gomi, Sanchez (24-5) was on a 2-3 skid spurred by a failed title attempt at the hands of B.J. Penn. He is set to appear at UFC 164, which takes place on August 31 at the Brady Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.