John Alessio found out late last night that he would not be fighting Ultimate Fighter season one winner Diego Sanchez due to an illness. MMA Ring Report spoke with Alessio and told us he had several people coming out to Vegas to see him fight from Canada and that seeing them go without seeing him fight was the biggest disappointment of all.  

Alessio told the us “I am really disappointed, I am sorry to all the fans that were looking forward to seeing the fight… The UFC has been really cool about the situation, because I told them I would fight anyone at 170 or 185” but the UFC could not find anyone on such short notice and instead did a good deed by paying him his full show money and win money despite them having no obligation to do so. Alessio quit his job, to train and work and felt like he was in the best shape of his life for this fight but harbors no ill will towards Sanchez. “If Diego is sick I hope he gets well soon, and hopefully we can get it on down the road. I have no hard feelings, towards him… You will be seeing me soon, now in the UFC. I look forward to stepping in there sooner then later.” He almost didn’t believe the news when he found out, “I kept waiting for Ashton Kutcher to jump out and tell me I am punked” but it never happened and Alessio will be sitting on the sidelines until another UFC opportunity arises. MMARR