Editor’s observe: This text was initially printed at MMAJunkie.com.
Diego Sanchez’s bare-knuckle boxing debut in opposition to Austin Trout has the inexperienced gentle to proceed following the submission of further medical testing.
Throughout a particular listening to Tuesday attended just about by MMA Junkie, the New Mexico Athletic Fee permitted the bout between the UFC legend and former boxing champion on the upcoming BKFC: KnuckleMania 3 occasion in Albuquerque by a vote of 3-1.
The assembly was the second in current weeks to debate the prospects of New Mexico’s Sanchez preventing Trout. On Dec. 21, the struggle was mentioned as a part of the occasion license approval, however commissioner Jerome O’Connell voiced considerations about Sanchez’s well being – particularly pertinent to the extent of opposition.
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Because the preliminary listening to, Sanchez and his supervisor, Ricky Kottenstette, submitted further medical testing that included a mind MRI and a neurological examination, which led to approval from all voting fee members besides O’Connell. He indicated outdoors regulatory our bodies had voiced considerations to NMAC about Sanchez.
“(Issues) for me focus on Diego Sanchez’s long-standing considerations about neurological points and concussions, and his considerations in articles and interviews about mind injury,” O’Connell stated. “These, for me, haven’t been alleviated by an MRI and a neurology report. I’ve a few of the similar reservations that we talked about after we final bought collectively.
“… I discover it compelling that there are considerations outdoors of our physique with this struggle. That offers me pause.”
Whereas Sanchez didn’t communicate on Tuesday’s name, he went earlier than the fee on the Dec. 21 assembly and attributed lots of the online concerns to his former supervisor, Joshua Fabia, as rumour. Sanchez indicated he cares about his long-term well being and took it upon himself to get examined to make sure no severe points.
Each Sanchez, 41, and Trout, 37, will make their BKFC debut Feb. 17 at Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque. The principle card streams on BareKnuckle TV after prelims on YouTube.
Since his UFC departure in 2021, Sanchez has competed as soon as in MMA. At Eagle FC 46, he put forth a competitive outing in a loss in opposition to Kevin Lee. In his most up-to-date six MMA fights, Sanchez went 3-3 with wins over Michel Pereira, Mickey Gall, and Craig White.
Trout is a former WBA gentle middleweight champion with a 35-5 document. He signed with BKFC in November and is on a five-fight profitable streak in skilled boxing.
Shortly after the fee’s approval, BKFC introduced Trout vs. Sanchez on social media. It is going to seemingly be co-main occasion to an already-announced Lorenzo Hunt vs. Mike Richman title fight.
