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.[1]
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.[1]
Sanchez began fighting professionally in 2012 where he compiled a record of 7–2 on the regional circuit.
He was added as one of the 16 Light Heavyweight fighters invited to the cast The Ultimate Fighter 23.[2]
He won his entry fight against Phil Hawes via unanimous decision.[3] Next up, he defeated Myron Dennis via unanimous decision.[4]
In the semifinals, he defeated Eric Spicely by knockout in the first round.[5]
Sanchez made his promotional debut on July 8, 2016, at UFC The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale in the Light Heavyweight finals against Khalil Rountree.[6] He won the one-sided fight via unanimous decision with the score card of (30-25, 30–25, 30–26).[7][8]
Sanchez next faced Trevor Smith in a middleweight bout on December 9, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 102.[9] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[10]
Sanchez faced Anthony Smith on April 15, 2017, at UFC on Fox 24.[11] He lost the fight via knockout due to a combination of knee and punches in the third round.[12]
Sanchez faced Ryan Janes on December 1, 2017, at The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale.[13] He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.[14]
Sanchez was expected to face Antonio Braga Neto on August 25, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 135.[15] However, Neto was removed from the bout on August 2 for undisclosed personal issues and replaced by Markus Perez.[16] Sanchez won the fight via unanimous decision.[17]
Sanchez faced promotional newcomer Marc-André Barriault on May 4, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 151.[18] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[19]
Sanchez was scheduled to face David Branch on September 14, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 16.[20] However, it was reported that Branch was forced to pull from the event due to injury and he was replaced by Marvin Vettori.[21] 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.[22] In turn, the pairing was left intact and eventually took place a month later at UFC on ESPN+ 19.[23] Sanchez lost the fight via unanimous decision.[24]
Sanchez was scheduled to face Zak Cummings on April 25, 2020.[25] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UFC president Dana White announced on April 9 that the event was indefinitely postponed.[26]
Sanchez faced Wellington Turman on August 8, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 174.[27] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[28] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[29]
Sanchez was scheduled to face André Muniz on January 24, 2021 at UFC 257.[30] In late December, Muniz withdrew due to an injury and he was replaced by Makhmud Muradov.[31] Sanchez lost the fight via technical knockout in round three.[32]
Sanchez faced Bruno Silva on October 16, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 195.[33] Sanchez lost the fight via technical knockout in round three.[34]
On October 28, 2021, it was announced that Sanchez was no longer on the UFC roster.[35]
Sanchez faced Gabriel Checco on May 20, 2022, at Eagle FC 47.[36] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[37]
Stepping in for a suspended fighter, Sanchez entered the 2023 season against Taylor Johnson on June 8, 2023 at PFL 4.[38] He won the fight via split decision.[39]
Sanchez was scheduled to face Karl Albrektsson, replacing Ibragim Chuzhigaev on June 21, 2024, at PFL 5.[40] 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.[41] He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.[42]
Sanchez faced Impa Kasanganay on August 21, 2025, at PFL 10. He lost the bout via technical knockout in the third round.[43]
| 23 matches | 14 wins | 9 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 7 |
| By submission | 2 | 0 |
| By decision | 6 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 14–9 | Impa Kasanganay | TKO (punches) | PFL 10 (2025) | August 21, 2025 | 3 | 4:31 | Hollywood, Florida, United States | Return to Middleweight. |
| 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 | ||
| 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) | February 9, 2016 | 2 | 5:00 | The Ultimate Fighter 23 Quarterfinal round. | ||
| Win | 1–0 | Phil Hawes | Decision (unanimous) | January 26, 2016 | 2 | 5:00 | The Ultimate Fighter 23 Elimination round |
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