Eduardo Arturo Sanchez (born November 4, 1982) is an American retired professional mixed martial artist who last competed in the Heavyweight division. A professional from 2004 to 2014, he competed for the UFC, Bellator, Titan FC, Final Fight Championship, and King of the Cage.

Eddie Sanchez
Eddie Sanchez in a post fight interview
Born (1982-11-04) November 4, 1982 (age 42)
La Jolla, California, United States
Other namesThe Manic Hispanic
ResidenceHuntington Beach, California
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight214 lb (97 kg; 15 st 4 lb)
DivisionHeavyweight
Reach79 in (201 cm)
Fighting out ofSan Diego, California, United States
TeamKings MMA
Years active2004–2014
Mixed martial arts record
Total23
Wins15
By knockout10
By submission3
By decision2
Losses8
By knockout5
By submission1
By decision2
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

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Sanchez played baseball at San Marcos High School, excelling as a pitcher, and then continued at his career at Palomar College. However, his career was cut short when he was injured after a near fatal drunk driving incident.[1] Sanchez was 20 years old and driving with a friend while intoxicated. Sanchez flew through the windshield and almost had one of his legs amputated because of the injuries.

Mixed martial arts career

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Ultimate Fighting Championship

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On February 3, 2007, with a 1–0 promotional record, Sanchez faced Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 67. Sanchez lost via TKO due to punches at 4:33 of the first round, in Cro Cop's debut fight in the UFC. Average betting for this fight was around -1200 for Cro Cop and +800 for Eddie Sanchez, the biggest gap for underdog/favorite in UFC history.[2]

Sanchez defeated Irish heavyweight Colin Robinson by TKO at UFC 72.[3]

At UFC 79, held on December 29, 2007, Sanchez defeated Soa Palalei via TKO (strikes). Sanchez went on to lose to Antoni Hardonk at UFC 85 in London on June 7, 2008. Sanchez took the Hardonk fight on short notice, as a late replacement for Neil Wain. Sanchez was noticeably out of shape at the weigh in, but despite this, he knocked Hardonk down twice, once in the first round and once in the second, before succumbing to strikes at 4:15 in the second round. Sanchez next faced Justin McCully at UFC: Fight for the Troops on December 10,2008, he lost the via unanimous decision and was released from the promotion.

Bellator Fighting Championships

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Sanchez debuted for Bellator at Bellator 7, recording a ten-second knock out.

His next Bellator bout was scheduled against Ralph Kelly at Bellator 20. Kelly pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Wayne Cole. Cole then pulled out of the fight and was replaced by Marcus Sursa. Sanchez won via TKO in the third round. With this win, Eddie will take a spot in the third season heavyweight tournament.

Titan Fighting Championships

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Sanchez was scheduled to fight Bobby Lashley at Titan Fighting Championships 19.[4] But on July 22, it was announced that Lashley withdrew from the fight for personal reasons.[5]

Sanchez fought Strikeforce veteran Brett Rogers at Titan Fighting Championships 20. Sanchez won by split decision.[6]

Independent promotions

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Sanchez then faced Damian Grabowski at MMA Attack 2 on April 27, 2012. Sanchez was submitted via kimura at 2:02 in the second round.

The following June, Sanchez faced future Bellator Heavyweight champion Vitaly Minakov at The Battle of Moscow 7. Sanchez was defeated in the first round via KO.

After a long layoff, Sanchez eventually returned and faced Stjepan Bekavac at FFC11: Jurković vs. Kaluđerović on April 4, 2014. Sanchez was knocked out in the first round, marking his third loss in a row.

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
23 matches 15 wins 8 losses
By knockout 10 5
By submission 3 1
By decision 2 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 15–8 Stjepan Bekavac KO (punch) FFC11: Jurkovic vs. Kaluderovic April 4, 2014 1 1:07 Osijek, Croatia
Loss 15–7 Vitaly Minakov KO (punch) Fight Nights Global 9 June 7, 2012 1 1:59 Moscow, Russia
Loss 15–6 Damian Grabowski Submission (kimura) MMA Attack 2 April 27, 2012 2 2:02 Katowice, Poland
Win 15–5 Brett Rogers Decision (split) Titan Fighting Championships 20 September 23, 2011 3 5:00 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Loss 14–5 Mike Whitehead Decision (split) Pure Fighting Championships 6 December 10, 2010 3 5:00 Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Loss 14–4 Neil Grove TKO (punches) Bellator 24 August 12, 2010 1 1:32 Hollywood, Florida, United States Bellator Season 3 Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win 14–3 Marcus Sursa TKO (punches) Bellator 20 May 27, 2010 3 0:23 San Antonio, Texas, United States
Win 13–3 Mark Honneger Decision (unanimous) Maximo Fighting Championship October 17, 2009 3 5:00 San Juan, Puerto Rico
Win 12–3 Vince Lucero Submission (guillotine choke) Total Combat 33 July 11, 2009 1 0:27 Mexico City, Mexico
Win 11–3 Jay White KO (punches) Bellator 7 May 15, 2009 1 0:10 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Loss 10–3 Justin McCully Decision (unanimous) UFC: Fight for the Troops December 10, 2008 3 5:00 Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States
Loss 10–2 Antoni Hardonk TKO (punches) UFC 85 June 7, 2008 2 4:15 London, England
Win 10–1 Soa Palelei TKO (punches) UFC 79 December 29, 2007 3 3:24 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Knockout of the Night.
Win 9–1 Colin Robinson TKO (punches) UFC 72 June 16, 2007 2 0:32 Belfast, Northern Ireland
Loss 8–1 Mirko Cro Cop TKO (punches) UFC 67 February 3, 2007 1 4:33 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 8–0 Mario Neto KO (punches) UFC 63: Hughes vs. Penn September 23, 2006 2 0:17 Anaheim, California, United States
Win 7–0 Wade Shipp TKO (punches) TC 13: Anarchy March 11, 2006 3 4:32 Del Mar, California, United States
Win 6–0 Josh Tamsen TKO (punches) Total Combat 11 December 17, 2005 1 N/A Tijuana, Mexico
Win 5–0 Julian Rush TKO (corner stoppage) Total Combat 10 October 15, 2005 1 5:00 San Diego, California, United States
Win 4–0 Adrian Perez TKO (submission to punches) KOTC 61: Flash Point September 23, 2005 1 0:11 San Jacinto, California, United States
Win 3–0 Anthony Ruiz Technical Submission (triangle choke) KOTC 54: Mucho Machismo June 12, 2005 1 2:49 San Jacinto, California, United States
Win 2–0 Tony Towers TKO (punches) Total Combat 7 January 29, 2005 1 1:55 Tijuana, Mexico
Win 1–0 Adan Arceo TKO (punches) Total Combat 5 April 21, 2004 2 0:20 Tijuana, Mexico

References

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  1. ^ Sherdog article
  2. ^ "Performify's Picks: UFC 67". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on February 9, 2008. Retrieved 2007-05-10.
  3. ^ "Upcoming Events; UFC 72: Victory". UFC.com. Archived from the original on 2007-05-07. Retrieved 2007-05-10.
  4. ^ "Bobby Lashley vs. Eddie Sanchez headlines HDNet-televised Titan FC 19". MMAjunkie.com. 2011-07-09. Archived from the original on 2012-05-17. Retrieved 2011-10-17.
  5. ^ "Lashley scratched from Titan FC 19; French vs. Krause, Evinger vs. McMann headline". MMAjunkie.com. 2011-07-22. Archived from the original on 2012-05-17. Retrieved 2011-10-17.
  6. ^ "Former Strikeforce heavyweight Brett Rogers makes MMA comeback at Titan Fighting Championships 20". MMAmania.com. September 3, 2011.
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