Diego Sanchez, the former UFC star and Hall of Famer, has avoided a prison sentence following a lengthy legal process stemming from his July 2025 arrest. The 44-year-old appeared in an Albuquerque district court on Thursday, where the judge imposed five years of supervised probation.
Prosecutors had sought a two-year prison term, but the court opted for a lighter sentence given Sanchez’s guilty plea and personal circumstances. The case drew significant attention due to Sanchez’s prominence in mixed martial arts.
Sanchez had previously pleaded guilty to a fourth-degree felony charge of shooting from a motor vehicle. The incident occurred when he fired a gun out of his car window while driving past a crash on a highway. In exchange for his guilty plea, a second charge of negligent use of a weapon was dropped. Sanchez admitted his mistake, telling the court he had been struggling with mental health issues and substance abuse at the time.
The court heard details of the July incident near Interstate 40 and University Boulevard in Albuquerque. Prosecutors argued that firing a weapon in traffic posed a serious risk to public safety and pushed for a prison sentence, describing the act as reckless and dangerous. Sanchez’s defense team highlighted his efforts to improve his life, noting that he had been undergoing treatment for substance abuse and mental health issues. Sanchez himself stated he never intended to harm anyone, calling the act a poor decision and expressing deep regret.
During his statement, Sanchez acknowledged his mistake and said he is now focused on sobriety and improving his mental health. He added that he wants to use his experience to guide younger people toward better choices. He also mentioned that he had started treatment and was taking medication after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The judge ultimately determined that probation was appropriate over imprisonment.
Under the terms of his sentence, Sanchez must adhere to strict conditions for five years. Any violation could result in jail time. Sanchez, who rose to fame after winning The Ultimate Fighter Season 1, fought 22 times in the UFC between 2005 and 2022. Since leaving the promotion, he has only competed once in bare-knuckle boxing in 2023. It remains unclear whether he will return to combat sports following this case.
