# Andrew Sanchez

Andrew William Sanchez (born April 8, 1988) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Light heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2012, he has formerly competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Professional Fighters League (PFL), and Resurrection Fighting Alliance.

## Background

Sanchez started training in various forms of martial arts as a teenager. He was a two-time national championship wrestler at McKendree University and was named the 2011 NAIA Wrestler of the Year. He graduated in 2011 with a degree in sociology.

## Mixed martial arts career

Sanchez began fighting professionally in 2012 where he compiled a record of 7–2 on the regional circuit.

### The Ultimate Fighter

He was added as one of the 16 Light Heavyweight fighters invited to the cast The Ultimate Fighter 23.
He won his entry fight against Phil Hawes via unanimous decision. Next up, he defeated Myron Dennis via unanimous decision.
In the semifinals, he defeated Eric Spicely by knockout in the first round.

### Ultimate Fighting Championship

Sanchez made his promotional debut on July 8, 2016, at UFC The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale in the Light Heavyweight finals against Khalil Rountree. He won the one-sided fight via unanimous decision with the score card of (30-25, 30–25, 30–26).
Sanchez next faced Trevor Smith in a middleweight bout on December 9, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 102. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Sanchez faced Anthony Smith on April 15, 2017, at UFC on Fox 24. He lost the fight via knockout due to a combination of knee and punches in the third round.
Sanchez faced Ryan Janes on December 1, 2017, at The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale. He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.
Sanchez was expected to face Antonio Braga Neto on August 25, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 135. However, Neto was removed from the bout on August 2 for undisclosed personal issues and replaced by Markus Perez. Sanchez won the fight via unanimous decision.
Sanchez faced promotional newcomer Marc-André Barriault on May 4, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 151. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Sanchez was scheduled to face David Branch on September 14, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 16. However, it was reported that Branch was forced to pull from the event due to injury and he was replaced by Marvin Vettori. However, it was reported that Sanchez was forced to pull from the event due to an eye infection, resulting in the cancellation of the bout. In turn, the pairing was left intact and eventually took place a month later at UFC on ESPN+ 19. Sanchez lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Sanchez was scheduled to face Zak Cummings on April 25, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UFC president Dana White announced on April 9 that the event was indefinitely postponed.
Sanchez faced Wellington Turman on August 8, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 174. He won the fight via knockout in the first round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.
Sanchez was scheduled to face André Muniz on January 24, 2021 at UFC 257. In late December, Muniz withdrew due to an injury and he was replaced by Makhmud Muradov. Sanchez lost the fight via technical knockout in round three.
Sanchez faced Bruno Silva on October 16, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 195. Sanchez lost the fight via technical knockout in round three.
On October 28, 2021, it was announced that Sanchez was no longer on the UFC roster.

### Post UFC

Sanchez faced Gabriel Checco on May 20, 2022, at Eagle FC 47. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

### Professional Fighters League

Stepping in for a suspended fighter, Sanchez entered the 2023 season against Taylor Johnson on June 8, 2023 at PFL 4. He won the fight via split decision.
Sanchez was scheduled to face Karl Albrektsson, replacing Ibragim Chuzhigaev on June 21, 2024, at PFL 5. Subsequently, Sanchez stepped in to face 2022 PFL welterweight winner Sadibou Sy after Tom Breese withdrew at the last minute and the bout against Albrektsson was cancelled. He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.

## Championships and accomplishments
### Professional titles

* Ultimate Fighting Championship
** The Ultimate Fighter 23 Light Heavyweight Tournament Winner
** Performance of the Night (One time) vs Wellington Turman
** UFC.com Awards
*** 2016: Ranked #9 Newcomer of the Year

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 22 matches | 14 wins | 8 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 6 |
| By submission | 2 | 0 |
| By decision | 6 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 14–8 | Sadibou Sy | TKO (punches) | PFL 5 (2024) | June 21, 2024 | 3 | 4:02 | Salt Lake City, Utah, United States | |
| Win | 14–7 | Taylor Johnson | Decision (split) | PFL 4 (2023) | June 8, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | Johnson was deducted one point in round 1 due to an illegal knee. |
| Win | 13–7 | Gabriel Checco | Decision (unanimous) | Eagle FC 47 | May 20, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Miami, Florida, United States | Return to Light Heavyweight. |
| Loss | 12–7 | Bruno Silva | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Ladd vs. Dumont | October 16, 2021 | 3 | 2:35 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 12–6 | Makhmud Muradov | TKO (flying knee and punches) | UFC 257 | January 24, 2021 | 3 | 2:59 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 12–5 | Wellington Turman | KO (punch) | UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Oleinik | August 8, 2020 | 1 | 4:14 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 11–5 | Marvin Vettori | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Joanna vs. Waterson | October 12, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Tampa, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 11–4 | Marc-André Barriault | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Iaquinta vs. Cowboy | May 4, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | |
| Win | 10–4 | Markus Perez | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick | August 25, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Lincoln, Nebraska, United States | |
| Loss | 9–4 | Ryan Janes | TKO (punches) | The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion Finale | December 1, 2017 | 3 | 0:59 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 9–3 | Anthony Smith | KO (head kick and punches) | UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Reis | April 9, 2017 | 3 | 3:52 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 9–2 | Trevor Smith | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Abdurakhimov | December 9, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Albany, New York, United States | Return to Middleweight. |
| Win | 8–2 | Khalil Rountree Jr. | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia Finale | July 8, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Won The Ultimate Fighter 23 Light Heavyweight Tournament. |
| Win | 7–2 | John Poppie | TKO (spinning back fist and punches) | RFA 28 | August 7, 2015 | 3 | 1:53 | St. Louis, Missouri, United States | Won the vacant RFA Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 6–2 | Clinton Williams | TKO (punches) | RFA 26 | June 5, 2015 | 2 | 1:17 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |
| Loss | 5–2 | Kevin Casey | KO (punches) | RFA 15 | June 6, 2014 | 1 | 2:30 | Los Angeles, California, United States | For the vacant RFA Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 5–1 | Miles Marshall | TKO (punches) | RFA 13 | March 7, 2014 | 2 | 1:25 | Lincoln, Nebraska, United States | |
| Win | 4–1 | Todd Meredith | TKO (punches) | RFA 11 | November 22, 2013 | 1 | 1:51 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |
| Loss | 3–1 | Dustin Jacoby | Decision (split) | Capital City Cage Wars: The Uprising | March 2, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Springfield, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Thomas Jones | TKO (punches) | TTP: Tommy Tran Promotions | November 17, 2012 | 1 | 2:57 | Branson, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Darryl Cobb | Submission (rear-naked choke) | FHMMA: Fight Hard MMA | August 18, 2012 | 1 | 4:33 | St. Charles, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Edward Smith | Submission (rear-naked choke) | CC 38: Cage Championships 38 | June 23, 2012 | 1 | 1:42 | Sullivan, Missouri, United States | |
| Exhibition record breakdown | Exhibition record breakdown | |
| 3 matches | 3 wins | 0 losses |
| By knockout | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 2 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Win | 3–0 | Eric Spicely | KO (punches) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia | March 1, 2016 | 1 | 0:47 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | The Ultimate Fighter 23 Semifinal round. |
| Win | 2–0 | Myron Dennis | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia | February 9, 2016 | 2 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | The Ultimate Fighter 23 Quarterfinal round. |
| Win | 1–0 | Phil Hawes | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia | January 26, 2016 | 2 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | The Ultimate Fighter 23 Elimination round |