Ex-UFC Fighter Diego Sanchez Faces Multiple Gun Charges, Including Felony for Motor Vehicle Shooting

Ex-UFC fighter Diego Sanchez is currently in custody after being arrested for gun-related charges early Friday morning in Albuquerque, New Mexico. According to arrest records, police booked the 43-year-old at 12:01 a.m. He faces two charges: shooting from a motor vehicle (a fourth-degree felony) and negligent use of a deadly weapon (a misdemeanor). As of now, he remains in custody while awaiting bail.

The incident occurred when Sanchez, a passenger in a car, allegedly leaned out of the window and fired a shot into the air. Police later tracked down the vehicle and arrested him. Though he denied firing the gun, Sanchez did inform the officer that there was a weapon in the vehicle. Surprisingly, the driver of the car, who hasn’t been charged, stated that Sanchez fired the gun and even laughed while speaking to authorities.

Sanchez’s representative, Ricky Kottenstette, revealed to MMA Fighting that Sanchez has struggled with substance abuse in recent years. He has sought rehabilitation multiple times, hoping to find effective treatment after this arrest.

Historically, Sanchez was once one of the sport’s standout fighters. He gained fame as the first winner of The Ultimate Fighter and had a title shot against B.J. Penn in 2009. Even though he lost that match, he established himself as a mainstay in the UFC for 15 years, competing in various weight classes. He last fought in the UFC in 2020, losing to Jake Matthews. Since then, Sanchez has continued to fight, including a brief appearance in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship against Austin Trout.

Experts in mental health suggest that individuals facing addiction often encounter significant stress, which can lead to reckless behavior. Sanchez’s recent actions could be a reflection of that struggle. With increasing attention on mental health in sports, it’s essential to address the underlying issues that athletes face, especially after their careers have ended.

Recent studies show that roughly 20% of retired athletes experience substance abuse issues, highlighting the need for effective support systems. As Sanchez navigates this challenging time, it serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health resources for all athletes.

You can find more about the implications of mental health in sports in this NCAA report.

Source link

ex,ufc,fighter,diego,sanchez,arrested,on,multiple,gun,charges,including,felony,for,shooting,at,or,from,a,motor,vehicle,mma,fighting,front-page,ufc,latest-news,ufc-news