Diego Sanchez, winner of the first season of The Ultimate Fighter, has been arrested in New Mexico following an alleged firearm incident near a crash scene. Sanchez, 43, appeared before a judge moments ago, who ordered that he remain in custody after the state filed a motion for preventive detention. The case has now been transferred to district court, where it will be determined whether Sanchez will be held or released pending trial.
According to court documents, the incident occurred Thursday, July 16, on I-40 in Albuquerque, where officers were responding to a separate crash. Police say a shot was fired from a passing Jeep Gladiator, and the passenger responsible was later identified as Sanchez.
Officers pulled the vehicle over shortly afterward. Sanchez reportedly acknowledged that there was a firearm in the car but denied discharging it. However, the driver of the vehicle, who is not facing any charges, told police that Sanchez did fire the gun out of the window and laughed about it.
A search of the vehicle turned up three rounds on the passenger side and the firearm itself tucked in the back pocket of the driver’s seat.
Sanchez is currently facing two charges: one count of shooting at or from a motor vehicle and negligent use of a deadly weapon.
Sanchez last competed in the UFC in 2020, losing to Jake Matthews by unanimous decision. His most recent MMA bout was in 2022, which also ended in a unanimous decision loss to Kevin Lee. Over the course of a nearly 20-year professional career, Sanchez amassed a 31-14 record and challenged for a UFC title against B.J. Penn in 2009. His 2009 fight with Clay Guida is enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame.
