Pneumonia Covid never give up pic.twitter.com/QshVGYiUvW
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC)
November 26, 2021
Beloved fan-favorite fighter Diego
Sanchez is suffering from serious complications due to
COVID-19.
A week ago, Sanchez posted on social
media stating that he was undergoing a REGEN-COV monoclonal
antibody therapy for COVID-19, also known as a Regeneron antibody
infusion. Sanchez went on to explain
that his condition had briefly improved, thanking fellow fighter
Luis
Palomino for recommending this treatment. The former Ultimate Fighting Championship mainstay
lamented that the treatment was depriving him of sleep, and that he
was “cleaning out all the poison.”
On Thursday night, Sanchez posted
an unfortunate update that he had been hospitalized due to the
virus. Showing a photograph of him being hooked up to machines, he
stated that he had come down with pneumonia as well with low oxygen numbers.
A few hours later, Sanchez said that he had also developed blood
clots in both of his legs
as a result of COVID-19, saying that, “Covid is no motha f—–
joke.”
A fan asked Sanchez why he had not gotten the vaccine, and implored
Sanchez to push others skeptical about the vaccine to take it lest
they fall victim to its effects. “The Nightmare” replied that while
he was going through the symptoms of COVID-19, he still could not
express support for the vaccine. Per Sanchez, he tested positive on
Nov.
9, and has been battling it ever since.
“I’m going thru it but I can’t say I’m sold on the vax at the
current moment in time,” Sanchez responded.
An outpouring of support has come for the longtime UFC fighter,
with well-wishes from fellow fighters, friends, training partners,
celebrities, and even former opponents. Those including champ
Rose
Namajunas, Michael
Chiesa, Deiveson
Figueiredo, Jeremy
Stephens, Derek
Brunson as well as Clay Guida and
B.J.
Penn. Famed actor Mickey Rourke also chimed in giving his love
to the New Mexico-based fighter.
From 2005 to 2020, “The Nightmare” – and briefly “The Dream” –
fought among the UFC ranks after his victory on the original season
of “The Ultimate Fighter.” With a storied career that ranged from
middleweight down to featherweight, Sanchez faced many of the best
foes in those divisions across his 32-bout UFC tenure. Sanchez
moved on from the promotion after asking for his release, and
intended on signing with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
According to an interview BKFC head David Feldman did with
MMA Junkie, Sanchez’ deal with BKFC was contingent on passing
medical tests. Those will have to wait, as Sanchez currently is
embroiled in a far more pressing medical issue.