Emmanuel Sanchez

For the member of the Connecticut House of Representatives, see Emmanuel Sanchez (politician).

Emmanuel Sanchez
Born	(1990-08-11) August 11, 1990 (age 33) Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Other names	El Matador
Nationality	Mexican American [1]
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight	145.2 lb (65.9 kg; 10.37 st)
Division	Welterweight Lightweight Featherweight
Reach	76 in (193 cm)
Fighting out of	Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Team	Roufusport (2013–present) [1]
Rank	Black belt in Karate under Duke Roufus [1] Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Daniel Wanderley [1]
Years active	2011–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total	29
Wins	20
By knockout	1
By submission	8
By decision	11
Losses	9
By submission	1
By decision	8
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Emmanuel Sanchez (born August 11, 1990) is an American mixed martial artist currently in the Lightweight division. A professional competitor since 2011, Sanchez has formerly competed for Bellator MMA, where he was a contender for the Featherweight World Championship, and Resurrection Fighting Alliance.

Background

Born and raised in a lower-middle-class family of Mexican immigrants, Sanchez wrestled as a kid but did not continue to the high school level in the sport. ^[1] He became interested in MMA and Brazilian jiu-jitsu while attending high school. After a successful amateur career, Sanchez began his professional career in 2011, starting his professional career at 4–0.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Sanchez began his professional MMA career in November 2011. He compiled a record of 8–1 before signing with Bellator MMA. During this time, Sanchez mainly competed in the lightweight division, before moving down to featherweight. He also competed once as a welterweight, in which he suffered his first professional loss against current UFC competitor Lewis Gonzalez.

Bellator MMA

Sanchez made his promotional debut against Stephen Banaszak at Bellator 128 on October 10, 2014. He won the fight via rear-naked choke submission at 2:18 in the first round. ^[2]

In his second fight for the promotion, Sanchez faced Alejandro Villalobos at Bellator 135 on March 27, 2015. He won the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision. ^[3]

Stepping in for an injured Goiti Yamauchi, Sanchez faced former Bellator featherweight champion Pat Curran at Bellator 139 on June 26, 2015. ^[4] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Sanchez next faced Henry Corrales at Bellator 143 on September 25, 2015. He won the fight via split decision.

In his highest profile fight to date, Sanchez faced UFC veteran Justin Lawrence on November 6, 2015 at Bellator 145. ^[5] He won the back-and-forth fight via split decision.

As the last fight of his prevailing contract, Sanchez next faced Daniel Pineda on the main card at Bellator 149 on February 19, 2016. ^[1] He won the fight by split decision.

As the first fight of his new, multi-year contract with Bellator, Sanchez faced Daniel Weichel at Bellator 159 on July 22, 2016. ^[6] He lost via split decision. ^[7]

Sanchez returned the following January and faced Georgi Karakhanyan at Bellator 170. He won the fight via majority decision. One point was taken from Sanchez in the second round due to two illegal knee strikes. ^[8]

Sanchez faced former Bellator bantamweight champion Marcos Galvao, who moved up to the featherweight division, at Bellator 175 on March 31, 2017. He won the fight via unanimous decision. ^[9]

Sanchez faced Daniel Straus at Bellator 184 on October 6, 2017. ^[10] He won the fight via triangle choke submission in the third round. ^[11]

Sanchez faced Sam Sicilia at Bellator 198 on April 28, 2018. He won the fight by submission due to an arm triangle from the back position in the 1st round.

Sanchez faced Bellator Featherweight Champion Patrício Freire at Bellator 209 on November 16, 2018. ^[12] He lost the fight by unanimous decision. ^[13]

Sanchez faced Georgi Karakhanyan at Bellator 218 on March 22, 2019. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix

Sanchez next faced prospect Tywan Claxton in the opening round of the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix on September 7, 2019 at Bellator 226. He won the fight via submission in the second round. ^[14]

In the quarterfinals, Sanchez was initially expected to face Daniel Weichel in a rematch in February 2020. ^[15] However, the date got pushed back and they were next expected to face at Bellator 241 on March 13, 2020. ^[16] Eventually the whole event was cancelled due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. The bout was rescheduled and took place at Bellator 252 on November 12. ^[17] Sanchez won the bout via unanimous decision.

In the semifinals, Sanchez faced Patrício Freire for the Bellator Featherweight World Championship at Bellator 255 on April 2. This was a rematch of their November 2018 bout which saw Freire win by unanimous decision. ^[18] He lost the fight via technical submission in round one. ^[19]

Post Grand Prix

Sanchez faced Mads Burnell at Bellator 263 on July 31, 2021. ^[20] He lost the very close bout via unanimous decision. ^[21]

Sanchez faced Jeremy Kennedy on December 3, 2021 at Bellator 272. ^[22] He lost the bout via unanimous decision. ^[23]

Moving up to Lightweight, Sanchez faced Yancy Medeiros on April 23, 2022 at Bellator 279. ^[24] Sanchez lost the bout via unanimous decision. ^[25]

Sanchez faced Archie Colgan on June 16, 2023 at Bellator 297. ^[26] He lost the bout via unanimous decision. ^[27]

Post Bellator

Sanchez is scheduled to face Daniel Salas on April 12, 2024 at XFC 50. ^[28]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown

29 matches	20 wins	9 losses
By knockout	1	0
By submission	8	1
By decision	11	8

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Loss	20–9	Archie Colgan	Decision (unanimous)	Bellator 297	June 16, 2023	3	5:00	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Loss	20–8	Yancy Medeiros	Decision (unanimous)	Bellator 279	April 23, 2022	3	5:00	Honolulu, Hawaii, United States	Return to Lightweight.
Loss	20–7	Jeremy Kennedy	Decision (unanimous)	Bellator 272	December 3, 2021	3	5:00	Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss	20–6	Mads Burnell	Decision (unanimous)	Bellator 263	July 31, 2021	3	5:00	Los Angeles, California, United States
Loss	20–5	Patrício Pitbull	Technical Submission (guillotine choke)	Bellator 255	April 2, 2021	1	3:35	Uncasville, Connecticut, United States	Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix Semifinal. For the Bellator Featherweight World Championship.
Win	20–4	Daniel Weichel	Decision (unanimous)	Bellator 252	November 12, 2020	5	5:00	Uncasville, Connecticut, United States	Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win	19–4	Tywan Claxton	Submission (triangle choke)	Bellator 226	September 7, 2019	2	4:11	San Jose, California, United States	Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix Opening Round.
Win	18–4	Georgi Karakhanyan	Decision (unanimous)	Bellator 218	March 22, 2019	3	5:00	Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Loss	17–4	Patrício Pitbull	Decision (unanimous)	Bellator 209	November 15, 2018	5	5:00	Tel Aviv, Israel	For the Bellator Featherweight World Championship.
Win	17–3	Sam Sicilia	Submission (arm-triangle choke)	Bellator 198	April 28, 2018	1	3:52	Rosemont, Illinois, United States
Win	16–3	Daniel Straus	Submission (triangle choke)	Bellator 184	October 6, 2017	3	1:56	Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win	15–3	Marcos Galvão	Decision (unanimous)	Bellator 175	March 31, 2017	3	5:00	Rosemont, Illinois, United States
Win	14–3	Georgi Karakhanyan	Decision (majority)	Bellator 170	January 21, 2017	3	5:00	Inglewood, California, United States
Loss	13–3	Daniel Weichel	Decision (split)	Bellator 159	July 22, 2016	3	5:00	Mulvane, Kansas, United States
Win	13–2	Daniel Pineda	Decision (split)	Bellator 149	February 19, 2016	3	5:00	Houston, Texas, United States	Catchweight (150 lbs) bout.
Win	12–2	Justin Lawrence	Decision (split)	Bellator 145	November 6, 2015	3	5:00	St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Win	11–2	Henry Corrales	Decision (split)	Bellator 143	September 25, 2015	3	5:00	Hidalgo, Texas, United States
Loss	10–2	Pat Curran	Decision (unanimous)	Bellator 139	June 26, 2015	3	5:00	Mulvane, Kansas, United States
Win	10–1	Alejandro Villalobos	Decision (unanimous)	Bellator 135	March 27, 2015	3	5:00	Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win	9–1	Stephen Banaszak	Submission (rear-naked choke)	Bellator 128	October 10, 2014	1	2:18	Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win	8–1	Brady Hovermale	Submission (armbar)	NAFC: Summer Slam	July 26, 2014	1	1:53	Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Win	7–1	Jose Pacheco	Submission (triangle choke)	NAFC: Mega Brawl	May 31, 2014	1	2:44	Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States	Featherweight debut.
Win	6–1	Gustavo Rodriguez	KO (punch)	NAFC: Super Brawl 2	January 31, 2014	1	3:53	Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Win	5–1	Michael McBride	Decision (unanimous)	RFA 10: Rhodes vs. Jouban	October 25, 2013	3	5:00	Des Moines, Iowa, United States	Return to Lightweight.
Loss	4–1	Lewis Gonzalez	Decision (unanimous)	WFC 5: Andrews vs. Griffin	May 3, 2013	3	5:00	Sacramento, California, United States	Welterweight debut.
Win	4–0	Brandon Dudley	Decision (split)	CageSport 21	September 29, 2012	3	5:00	Fife, Washington, United States
Win	3–0	Travis Johnson	Submission (rear-naked choke)	UCS: Caged Combat 6	July 14, 2012	2	2:51	Grand Ronde, Oregon, United States
Win	2–0	Juan Carlos Rodriguez	Submission (rear-naked choke)	Northwest Fighting: Young Guns 1	April 28, 2012	1	3:24	Usk, Washington, United States
Win	1–0	Matt Church	Decision (unanimous)	Fight Night: Round 17: Clash at the College	November 19, 2011	3	5:00	Mount Vernon, Washington, United States	Lightweight debut.

^[29]

See also

• List of male mixed martial artists

References

1. David Willford (February 13, 2016). "Bellator 149: In depth with Emmanuel Sanchez".
2. Mike Bohn (October 10, 2014). "Bellator 128 results: Warren grinds past Dantas to unify bantamweight titles". mmajunkie.com.
3. Staff (March 27, 2015). "Bellator 135 results: Marcos Galvao takes belt via kneebar when Joe Warren screams". mmajunkie.com.
4. Guilherme Cruz (June 8, 2015). "Pat Curran gets new opponent for Bellator 139". mmafighting.com.
5. "Bellator 145 Fight Card". bellator.com. 2015-11-06.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
6. Luke Thomas (March 28, 2016). "Emmanuel Sanchez signs multi-year extension with Bellator MMA". mmafighting.com.
7. John Morgan (July 22, 2016). "Bellator 159 results: Taimanglo scores upset, Guillard wins and moves to 170". mmajunkie.com.
8. Mike Sloan (January 21, 2017). "Tito Ortiz Ends MMA Career with First-Round Sub of Chael Sonnen at Bellator 170". sherdog.com.
9. Matt Erickson (March 31, 2017). "Bellator 175 results: 'King Mo' Lawal evens score with decision over 'Rampage' Jackson". mmajunkie.com.
10. Staff (July 14, 2017). "Bellator 184 set for Oct. 6 with champ Eduardo Dantas vs. Darrion Caldwell, Emmanuel Sanchez vs. Daniel Straus". mmajunkie.com.
11. "Bellator 198 results: Emmanuel Sanchez submits Sam Sicilia in first round". MMAjunkie. 2018-04-29. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
12. "Bellator's Emmanuel Sanchez on title fight vs. Patricio Freire: 'I just believe that I want it more'". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2018-11-21.
13. "Emmanuel Sanchez calls for Patricio 'Pitbull' title rematch after Bellator 209". MMAjunkie. 2018-11-20. Retrieved 2018-11-21.
14. "Bellator 226 Results: Bader vs. Kongo". MMA Fighting. September 8, 2019.
15. Damon Martin (September 29, 2019). "Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix quarterfinal fights determined, dates revealed". mmafighting.com.
16. Nolan King (January 9, 2020). "Patricio Freire vs. Pedro Carvalho, Emmanuel Sanchez vs. Daniel Weichel set for Bellator 241". mmajunkie.com.
17. Steven Marrocco (October 15, 2020). "Bellator featherweight grand prix bouts set with Daniel Weichel vs. Emmanuel Sanchez, A.J. McKee vs. Darrion Caldwell". MMAFighting.com.
18. Danny Segura (February 9, 2021). "Patricio 'Pitbull' vs. Emmanuel Sanchez grand prix semifinal headlines Bellator 255". MMA Junkie. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
19. Anderson, Jay (2 April 2021). "Bellator 255 Results: Patricio Pitbull Chokes Out Emmanuel Sanchez, Sets Up Showdown with McKee". Cageside Press. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
20. "Bellator 263 adds Mads Burnell vs. Emmanuel Sanchez". MMA Junkie. 2021-06-15. Retrieved 2021-06-15.
21. Anderson, Jay (2021-07-31). "Bellator 263 Results: Mads Burnell Wins Decision Over Emmanuel Sanchez in Thriller". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
22. "Bellator 272 adds Emmanuel Sanchez vs. Jeremy Kennedy, three other fights". MMA Junkie. 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2021-10-29.
23. Anderson, Jay (2021-12-03). "Bellator 272: Jeremy Kennedy Wrestles His Way Past Emmanuel Sanchez". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-12-04.
24. "Yancy Medeiros gets wish, signs on for Hawaii homecoming against Emmanuel Sanchez at Bellator 279". MMA Junkie. 2022-03-17. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
25. Anderson, Jay (2022-04-23). "Yancy Medeiros and Emmanuel Sanchez Throw Down in Thriller to Kick Off Bellator 279 Main Card". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
26. FightBookMMA (2023-04-12). "BELLATOR 297: Nemkov vs. Romero adds 8 more fights". FightBook MMA. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
27. Sherdog.com. "Bellator 297 'Nemkov vs. Romero' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-06-18.
28. Entertainment, Xtreme One (2024-02-27). "Xtreme One Entertainment to Officially Relaunch XFC Mixed Martial Arts League with XFC 50 in Florida". NEWS10 ABC. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
29. Sherdog.com. "Emmanuel". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-11-21.

Professional MMA record for Emmanuel Sanchez from Sherdog