11-Bout Lineup Finalized for UFC 121

Sanchez will carry a two-fight losing streak into the match. Based at Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts in Albuquerque, N.M., the 28-year-old last appeared at UFC 114 in May, when he dropped a unanimous decision to the unbeaten John Hathaway at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Winner of “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 1, Sanchez owns notable victories over reigning Sengoku middleweight champion Jorge Santiago, current Strikeforce welterweight kingpin Nick Diaz, former Strikeforce lightweight titleholder Clay Guida and two-time UFC lightweight title challenger Kenny Florian. He has been finished only once -- by former two-division UFC champion B.J. Penn -- in 25 professional appearances.

Spawned by the Constrictor Team, Thiago has not competed since June, when he lost a unanimous decision to Martin Kampmann at UFC 115. Wins over Minnesota Martial Arts Academy standout Jacob Volkmann and American Kickboxing Academy thoroughbreds Mike Swick and Josh Koscheck anchor the 29-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt’s resume. Thiago has secured more than half (eight) of his 13 career victories by submission. He has never lost consecutive fights.

A heavyweight title match between champion Brock Lesnar and undefeated challenger Cain Velasquez will headline UFC 121, along with a pivotal welterweight showdown between former Strikeforce titleholder Jake Shields and the world-ranked Kampmann. The event will also feature a light heavyweight tilt pairing Tito Ortiz with Matt Hamill and a heavyweight matchup pitting “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 10 finalist Brendan Schaub against Gabriel Gonzaga.

Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez

Jake Shields vs. Martin Kampmann
Paulo Thiago vs. Diego Sanchez
Tito Ortiz vs. Matt Hamill
Brendan Schaub vs. Gabriel Gonzaga
Court McGee vs. Ryan Jensen
Patrick Cote vs. Tom Lawlor
Michael Guymon vs. Daniel Roberts
Sam Stout vs. Paul Taylor
Dongi Yang vs. Chris Camozzi
Gilbert Yvel vs. Jon Madsen