Diego Sanchez willing to fight Donald Cerrone after Jackson-Wink MMA fallout

Diego Sanchez did not take kindly to Donald Cerrone’s criticism of Jackson-Wink MMA. On Wednesday, Cerrone lashed out at his long-time Albuquerque gym, and…

By: Nick Baldwin | 5 years ago
Diego Sanchez willing to fight Donald Cerrone after Jackson-Wink MMA fallout
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Diego Sanchez did not take kindly to Donald Cerrone’s criticism of Jackson-Wink MMA.

On Wednesday, Cerrone lashed out at his long-time Albuquerque gym, and particularly co-owner Mike Winkeljohn, in an interview on Joe Rogan’s JRE MMA Show. Cerrone, who has also trained at his own gym, The BMF Ranch, said Jackson-Wink MMA has gone downhill since the years co-owner Greg Jackson ran the gym on his own. Cerrone called the gym a “puppy mill” that allows nearly anyone to train there so long as they pay the monthly rate. He also criticized Winkeljohn for training all fighters the same way.

Cerrone is set to face Mike Perry at UFC Denver in November. Perry joined Jackson-Wink MMA a few months ago ahead of his July win over Paul Felder at UFC 226. According to “Cowboy,” Winkeljohn quickly opted to train Perry instead of Cerrone for the bout, which Cerrone believes was because of money. Cerrone said he is a very loyal person and that he hasn’t felt the loyalty he’d expect at the gym.

Sanchez has decided to stand up for his long-time gym. He fired back at Cerrone in a lengthy social media post, which he issued after Cerrone’s conversation with Rogan had wrapped up on Wednesday.

“[Cerrone] had been so busy building his empire the past three four years and he’s done a fantastic job doing it but that’s been his focus he’s never been here!!!” wrote Sanchez, who also denied claims that Jackson-Wink MMA is going downhill. “Maybe a grappling class here or there a sparring every 6 months??? That’s not a teammate it’s just someone who is out only for themselves.

“Cowboy never went out of his way to help me get ready for a fight not once!”

Sanchez said that Perry has been willing to spar with him since joining the gym earlier this year. “The Nightmare” made it clear he’s Team Perry when “Platinum” fights Cerrone later this year, and even said he’d be more than willing to fight Cerrone if Perry for some reason is forced to pull out.

“Don’t bad mouth my gym or my coach [Winkeljohn] we’re good peeps striving to better our city our state and our sport!!!!” Sanchez wrote. “If Perry falls out come November ILL BE READY TO FILL IN WITH ZERO HESITATION!”

@joerogan @jacksonwink_mma is on fire we’re on the ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ up’s bro no lie I have been here longer than anyone and seen the many stages of our evolution of this team!!! We’re stronger than ever our defeats only helped us to grow and we are coming into the prosperous stage just and see!!! @cowboycerrone had been so busy building his empire the past three four years and he’s done a fantastic job doing it but that’s been his focus he’s never been here!!! Maybe a grappling class here or there a sparring every 6 months??? That’s not a team mate it’s just someone who is out only for themselves. I’d try to give him a round if we crossed paths here or there the last time he got me real good with a side kick to the liver …. I see it all!! I treat this like a job 9-5 I come everyday I stay when everyone leaves to rest and eat.. so I see it all!! and in the past ten years cowboy never went out of his way to help me get ready for a fight not ounce! That’s why I posted previous about why I was #teamplatinum @platinummikeperry is here to give me rounds if I need them and helped me more in one camp than cowboy did in ten years … don’t bad mouth my gym or my coach @mmacoachwink we’re good peeps striving to better our city our state and our sport!!!! If Perry falls out come November ILL BE READY TO FILL IN WITH ZERO HESITATION! And we know where @gregjacksonmma will be #loyalty #itsnotallaboutmoney #realtalk #STILLTHEBESTGYM @jonnybones @carloscondit @karatehottiemma @hollyholm @sixgungibson @thefranklester @dr.beauhightower @dranita.jwnutrition @smokin_joe_jwmma @johndodsonmma @harrystleger @chadinspiremma @bartlujan @coach_alex_striking @platinummikeperry @clanders41 @chrisbreezymma @maurice_thehulk_jackson @bvonkl @joby1_kanobe @madrussian29 @incredablemma @brownbomber_mma @timkennedymma @cjbmma @ahamilton_mma @trav.foster @brownbearufc @groovylando @mmacoachwink @siyarized #DIVIDEDWEFALLUNITEDWESTAND one more thing @chadinspiremma is the best mma wrestling coach In the game you would not know but maybe you will find out if we ever get to what the octagon! #donecrossedthelineofrespect @platinummikeperry your up #WAR

A post shared by Diego Sanchez (@diegonightmaresanchezufc) on

In his interview with Rogan, Cerrone also accused Jackson-Wink MMA wrestling coach Chad Smith of being fired from a previous coaching position for trying to sell steroids. Sanchez has worked with Smith for years and denied Cerrone’s allegations in a separate post.

“BTW this is all BS and my coach [Smith] is so legit that’s why I chose him to corner me and to be one of the men that lead me into a battle where my life is on the line!!!!” Sanchez wrote. “[Cerrone], your not my homie anymore!”

Sanchez, one of the original Jackson-Wink MMA members, meets Craig White in a welterweight bout Sept. 8 at UFC 228 at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

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Nick Baldwin
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