For as long as it lasted, Diego Sanchez vs. Joe Lauzon was everything we thought it would be at UFC 200 on Saturday.
Sanchez came right out to the center of the Octagon as always. He pressured Lauzon and landed a strong inside leg kick. Lauzon then cracked Sanchez in what would start off the end of the fight. The right hand stunned Sanchez; Lauzon smelled blood and started throwing bombs.
Watching Diego Sanchez get mauled like that by Joe Lauzon in 86 seconds on a larger mid-era Cage Rage canvas feels like malarial dream.
— Jordan Breen (@jordanbreen) July 9, 2016
Sanchez tried to recover, but Lauzon continued to put him on skates with a barrage of punches. Lauzon pummeled the former title contender until the referee stopped the fight at 1:36 of the first round.
Joe Lauzon is the first fighter to defeat Diego Sanchez by strikes in Sanchez's 35-fight MMA career. #UFC200
— Michael Carroll (@MJCflipdascript) July 9, 2016
Most Finishes, UFC History
— Michael Carroll (@MJCflipdascript) July 9, 2016
Vitor Belfort, 14
Anderson Silva, 14
Matt Hughes, 13
Frank Mir, 13
JOE LAUZON, 12#UFC200
Lauzon became the first man to stop Sanchez with strikes in his 35-fight career.
The finish was violent, and no one expected anything else from these two longtime UFC vets. Now Sanchez has to go back to the drawing board, as it is clear he is well past his prime.
The victory will do a lot for Lauzon as he attempts to climb back into contention at 155 pounds. His value as a known commodity who always brings excitement will move him up the ladder faster than most, and his performance at UFC 200 will only elevate him more.
The Gods of Violence taken over from their buddy the Lord of Chaos. Destruction tonight at #UFC200
— Duane Finley (@DuaneFinleyMMA) July 9, 2016
Lauzon vs. Sanchez was the featured preliminary bout on UFC Fight Pass in order to ignite a spark on the biggest card in company history. And that is exactly what the two warriors did. Lauzon put his name out there as one of the top performers on the UFC’s biggest stage.
