Bodycam footage released of Diego Sanchez’s arrest on multiple gun charges hits the internet. Former UFC fan-favorite Diego Sanchez is once again in the headlines, but this time it’s outside the cage. On Friday, TMZ shared body cam footage from the Albuquerque Police Department showing Diego Sanchez calmly cooperating with officers after being pulled over.
The stop followed reports that Sanchez had leaned out of a car window and allegedly fired a gun into the air while passing a crash scene. As a result, he was charged with shooting at or from a motor vehicle without causing great bodily harm, a fourth-degree felony, along with negligent use of a deadly weapon (discharge), a misdemeanor.
The footage, which surfaced this week, shows the 43-year-old calmly interacting with law enforcement during a traffic stop that quickly escalated. Officers reportedly found several firearms in Sanchez’s vehicle, leading to his arrest on suspicion of unlawful possession Two officers then converse, with one noting, “So this is Diego Sanchez. As in UFC fighter Diego Sanchez. I thought I recognized it, too, but this guy, he’s kind of a bigger name.”
Sanchez, best known for his wars inside the Octagon and being the original Ultimate Fighter Season 1 winner, appeared cooperative throughout the footage. However, the discovery of weapons in the vehicle including what officers say were loaded firearms led to immediate legal trouble.
Details are still unfolding regarding the exact charges and legal consequences, but according to the Albuquerque Police Department, Sanchez could be facing felony-level offenses depending on the status of the weapons and his prior history.
This incident adds another complex chapter to the post-fighting career of “The Nightmare,” who has remained active in the MMA community even after his UFC departure. Fans and fellow fighters have expressed concern for Sanchez’s well-being in the aftermath of the arrest. Sanchez has not made a public statement, and no court date has been officially confirmed. More updates are expected as the case develops.
