Diego Sanchez has seen almost everything in his 16-year mixed martial arts career.
But he’s probably never had an opponent lean in for a kiss.
Sanchez will hope to avoid a third consecutive defeat when he meets Devon’s own Craig White on the preliminary card of UFC 228.
White has been given a second chance in the Octagon after stepping in on short notice to fight Neil Magny in Liverpool in May, a bout in which the Brit came up short.
But the Exmouth fighter is brimming with confidence against the only remaining cast member from The Ultimate Fighter 1 on the UFC roster.
At the ceremonial weigh-ins on Friday night, White showed no signs of being intimidated by the notoriously intense Sanchez as he leaned in and kissed his opponent’s nose.
What a fight on @UFCFightPass!
Brit @theTHNDRcat against the legendary @DiegoSanchezUFC at #UFC228! pic.twitter.com/whF2OkyrZ8
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) September 7, 2018
White anticipates an early finish when he gets the chance to test the chin of the 38-fight veteran this weekend.
“I can see it being an all-out war. From what Diego has said, he is going to steam-roll me, he is going to come out and be really aggressive and take it to me,” White told Devon Live.
“I am all for that – I love fighting like that. I have said it enough times, but I love punching people, I love being punched and I do fighting because I love it.
“I don’t think this fight will go outside the first round, and I certainly don’t think it will go the distance. I don’t think either of us want it to go the distance – we want to go out there and put it on the line.
“Finishes make for entertaining fights, whether it is on the feet or on the ground. Whichever way it goes, I am confident of getting the win.”
