Ex-UFC star Diego Sanchez
Avoids jail time in a gun case
Printed Mar 27, 2026 3:16 PM PDT
Ex-UFC star Diego Sanchez can breathe a sigh of aid: the fighter won’t spend time behind bars over his gun-related arrest final 12 months… after reaching a take care of prosecutors.
The 44-year-old was sentenced this week to 5 years of supervised probation and 800 hours of group service. Prosecutors had initially requested for a two-year jail sentence.
Sanchez initially confronted two costs: taking pictures at or from a motorized vehicle and negligent use of a lethal weapon.
“We have been happy that Mr. Sanchez won’t serve any time on this case,” Sanchez’s legal professional, Max Pines, stated in a press release to TMZ Sports activities. “He can show himself throughout supervised probation. He took accountability and voluntarily addressed a number of the underlying points earlier than him; this has enormously benefited the Court docket. Mr. Sanchez is a good champion and a proud citizen of Albuquerque.”
“He now has the chance to proceed to offer again to New Mexico and do nice issues for much less privileged folks. I’m very happy to function his legal professional.”
He pleaded not responsible in February to the taking pictures cost (a fourth-degree felony), however modified it to responsible as a part of a deal.
The “Final Fighter” season one winner was arrested in New Mexico in July … as officers have been responding to an incident on I-40 in Albuquerque after they say a passenger in a Jeep Gladiator – later recognized as Sanchez – shot a spherical because the automobile drove by.
The Gladiator was later apprehended… and though Sanchez admitted to having a gun within the automotive, he denied firing any pictures.
Play video content material
The motive force of the automotive later advised police that Sanchez pulled the set off… and even laughed concerning the act.
Police physique digital camera footage we obtained exhibits officers looking his automobile the place they discovered the gun – together with a number of shell casings.
In that very same video, police acknowledged him because the ex-UFC fighter… with one even saying, “I grew up watching you!”
