UFC on ESPN 24 has taken another hit, as Diego
Sanchez is out of a proposed welterweight clash with Donald
Cerrone.
A reason for Sanchez’s withdraw is currently unknown. Carlos
Contreras Legaspi first brought word of Sanchez’s exit on Twitter.
It’s the second significant loss for the card in the span of a
couple days: A cut in training forced T.J.
Dillashaw to pull out of the main event against Cory
Sandhagen. That bout will be rescheduled, and a women’s
strawweight clash pitting Michelle
Waterson against Marina
Rodriguez has been targeted as the new headliner.
Sanchez and Cerrone previously trained at Jackson-Wink MMA in
Albuquerque, and tensions flared between the two when Sanchez took
coach Mike Winkeljohn’s side when “Cowboy” left the gym prior to a
bout against Mike Perry.
Sanchez is no longer at Jackson-Wink, either.
According to multiple reports, a replacement opponent for Cerrone
is being sought.
UFC on ESPN 24 takes place on May 8 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas
and in addition to the Waterson-Rodriguez headliner, features a
welterweight showdown between Geoff Neal
and Neil
Magny.