Diego Sanchez (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

Although Diego Sanchez came up short in his featherweight debut, and has returned to the lightweight division, the veteran doesn’t regret his cut down to 145.

Sanchez is booked to fight perennial lightweight contender Jim Miller at UFC 196 this Saturday, after facing featherweight contender Ricardo Lamas in November. Lamas won the bout via unanimous decision.

Recently the rugged vet spoke to UFC.com about his upcoming bout with Miller. While discussing his decision to return to 155, Sanchez stated:

“The cut down to 145 was a blessing in disguise,” Sanchez said. “It taught me a lot about mental toughness and human potential, but I did learn that I cannot truly be at my best mentally or physically while putting myself in that deep of a state of dehydration because the brain is affected by that. I will still have to work to make 155 but it will not be near as bad. Ten pounds is a big difference.”

Miller is also looking to get back on track, as he was submitted by Michael Chiesa in his last outing this past December.

UFC 196 will be hosted by the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.