Many people assumed that Diego Sanchez would be leaving MMA and signing with the bare-knuckle boxing organization BKFC. That wasn't the case as he picked Khabib Nurmagomedov's promotion, Eagle FC, where he'll fight Kevin Lee.

Diego Sanchez recently opened up on MMA Junkie Radio and explained why he went with Khabib Nurmagomedov's promotion. Most would assume it was about money but that wasn't the case.

“Ali (Abdelaziz) hit me up and he’s, like, ‘We want you, bro. Eagle FC wants to treat you like the legend you are,’” MMA legend Sanchez explained.

“I was gonna get paid 75 grand more to go do BKFC. But, being the Diego Sanchez that I am, I believe in myself, and all the skills and the knowledge, and the wisdom that I retained over the course of the last 20 years. And the way my career ended in the UFC was not (in) Diego Sanchez fashion.

“That was orchestrated by my handler, and I really wanted to truly finish my mixed martial arts legacy and career my way, Diego Sanchez intuition, working through whatever I gotta work through, but training smart doing my martial arts. Diego Sanchez martial arts.”

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Kevin Lee is the opponent that Diego Sanchez will make his debut against in the MMA promotion. He's still eager to showcase his skills in Eagle FC.

“Everything that I’ve learned over the course of a career, I’ve worked with everybody. I’ve worked with the best in jiu-jitsu, I’ve worked with the best in striking. I’ve worked with everybody, from everybody,” he said.

“Now, it’s my time to go out there and show my true skills, ‘cause with Kevin Lee, he’s 29 and I’m 40. He’s a very athletic man. So, with that being said, going into this fight, the only thing that can really win me this fight is skill. Skill and understanding. Timing. Speed. And making the right move at the right time with zero hesitation.

“I’m in shape, I’m getting in the best shape that I could get in. In six weeks, I’m coming with my A-game. I’m excited for 165, it’s a new weight division. My frame fits that division, so it’s looking good. I’m excited for it.”