UFC fighter has faced bigger obstacles than opponent

Eddie Sanchez knows he's an 8-to-1 underdog heading into tonight's fight with Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic in Las Vegas. Sanchez hears the whispers from mixed-martial arts fans who think he's crazy, stupid or too inexperienced ---- or all three. And he's well aware most everyone, fans and experts alike, are saying he's going to get his head kicked in.

The San Marcos High graduate has heard it all ---- and none of it bothers him. For Sanchez, this heavyweight bout is nothing more than a sparring session compared to the life-threatening ordeal he faced 3 1/2 years ago.

Whether it's stupidity or a swagger that can only come from cheating death, the 24-year-old North County Fight Club member isn't afraid of the prospect of going head-to-head with Filipovic, the Ultimate Fighting Championship's newest poster boy.

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