Diego Sanchez will be making his pro boxing debut on the Rampage Jackson vs. Rashad Evans undercard.
ICS Boxing released the full fight card on Instagram, which sees Sanchez taking on UFC veteran John Makdessi in the co-main event. The card will take place on April 12 at The Pit in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Diego Sanchez (30-14 MMA) last fought in MMA back in March of 2022 when he lost to Kevin Lee by decision in Eagle FC. Before that, he suffered a decision loss to Jake Matthews in September 2020 in his final UFC fight. Sanchez went 19-13 in the UFC and has notable wins over Nick Diaz, Kenny Florian, Clay Guida, Jim Miller, and Michel Pereira among others. Although Sanchez doesn’t have any pro boxing experience, he did face Austin Trout in BKFC in 2023, but he lost by doctor stoppage.
Before his fight against Trout, Diego Sanchez told BJPENN that he is chasing big fights outside the UFC.
“As far as it goes for me, I’m not chasing the belt. Yeah, it would be great to feel gold around my waist again. I won the King of the Cage world title back in 2001 but you know I’m not chasing that,” Sanchez said. “I’m chasing the legacy, I’m chasing the big names, the biggest and best that I can.”
John Makdessi (18-9) hasn’t competed in MMA since September 2023 when he suffered a decision loss to Jamie Mullarkey and was released. The Canadian ended his tenure on a two-fight losing streak as he also lost to Nasrat Haqparast by decision. Makdessi went 11-9 in the UFC with notable wins over Ignacio Bahamondes, Ross Pearson, and Daron Cruickshank among others.
ICS Mania 1 Fight Card:
Quinton Jackson vs. Rashad Evans
Diego Sanchez vs. John Makdessi
Harold Calderon vs. Josh Torres
Tatakai Kamakami vs. Nicco Tapia
Jordan Burnett vs. Trap Yayo
Karim Khalias vs. Malcolm Peck
Johnny Tapia Jr. vs. John Jimenez
Chaz Gotti vs. Lena Ovchynnikova
Wow.
Good luck bro
Im pretty sure Diego married Johnny Tapia’s widow
Is Lena fighting a dude? Who da fook is Chaz Gotti?
Should be fun.
I know this is boxing but it should be known Makdessi holds one of the greatest spinning back fist KO ever.
Or was it a spinning front fist? 
I would call that a spinning front fist KO.
Not a back fist…
It’s a back fist
He switched stances with kick fake
Which one of the 2?
“Trap yayo”? Really? Fuckin’ really?
and his tag team partner, CHAZ GOTTI, the fake italians!
I feel like you’re confused as to why it’s called a backfist.
It landed with his front fist from orthodox.
But he very cleverly faked the kicked, landing in southpaw for a brief moment than spun.
Therefore making it a backfist last second.
I know the difference between front and back spinning fists.
I’m a really big Shlemenko fan, you cunt.