Diego Sanchez’s journey with Joshua Fabia was anything but ordinary. The MMA veteran revealed in VICE TV’s Dark Side of the Cage how his association with Fabia ended with him paying a staggering $100,000 just to get him out of his life.
Their partnership spanned two chaotic years, filled with odd training techniques, questionable methods, and public controversies. Fabia’s influence culminated in Sanchez losing his UFC contract after being pulled from a fight against Donald Cerrone. As things spiraled, Sanchez felt there was only one way to escape Fabia’s control, pay him off.
The Price of Freedom
“They made me sign the check right there in that moment—on camera, too—to have proof that it wasn’t a forced thing,” Sanchez shared with VICE. “At that moment, it was the easiest thing to do because I would have done anything to get out of that situation.”
Fabia, who was behind the camera recording the exchange, had a clear message for Sanchez. “You want your freedom? You can have it! You’re going to write a check to me and School of Self for $100,000,” Fabia demanded. “You did not pay me correctly. You told me all of this money is mine as I did all the work. And you’re now on your own.”
Sanchez, in the same video, reluctantly vouched for Fabia. “I vouch for Josh right now,” he said. “Number one, he never hurt me, and number two, he helped me a lot and healed me a lot. So, that’s on camera, right now.”
“Diego agrees to buy his way out of bondage”pic.twitter.com/3DRph3UR0Y
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) January 16, 2025
However, behind closed doors, Sanchez later shared chilling details of the treatment he endured under Fabia’s watch. It included sleeping on cold floors for months and enduring freezing outdoor conditions, leaving many questioning the dynamic of their so-called partnership.
VICE’s episode sheds light on this bizarre and troubling chapter of Sanchez’s career, raising questions about how far Fabia’s influence extended and the financial toll it took. While it’s unclear how much Fabia profited during their time together, the $100,000 payment underscores the steep price Sanchez had to pay for his freedom.
As the MMA world reflects on this episode, Sanchez’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of blind trust and manipulation in professional relationships.
