Diego Sanchez easily could be the next big thing in mixed martial arts. A match with Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight titleholder Georges St. Pierre could be the biggest in the sport's history.

Both represent the new breed of MMA athlete: fast, strong, athletic and versed in all aspects of the game.

The UFC recognized Sanchez' appeal long ago and have been grooming the 24-year-old for stardom almost from the day it first got his name affixed to a contract.

Sanchez, though, isn't ready to go quite so fast.

Though he probably would be in line for a shot at St. Pierre's championship early next year should he, as expected, defeat Joe Riggs in a nationally televised bout in San Diego, Sanchez doesn't have much interest in a title shot now.

St. Pierre dropped to his knees after a 2004 victory over Sean Sherk and pleaded with UFC officials for a chance at then-champion Matt Hughes. Sanchez, 17-0, prefers to wait.

"I'd rather go as long as possible without fighting for the title," Sanchez said. "I want to take my time and gain more experience. If I could come into a title fight with 20-some victories to my name and still be undefeated, it would be something that has never been done before.

"I'll be more prepared for it at that point, but it will also give Georges time to defend his title and make his name. I plan on coming and taking it, but this would make it an even bigger fight."

Sanchez has the unique ability to come across as confident without appearing cocky -- "With my talent and my skills, it's inevitable," he says of a potential welterweight championship -- a combination that has made him the darling of the public and the target of many fighters.

One former opponent, Nick Diaz, badgered him via e-mail to sign for a fight. Once the bout was signed, Sanchez said the e-mails from Diaz grew harsher and more disrespectful.

Diaz, Sanchez said, insulted his family and questioned his manhood.

"It became very personal, but it backfired on him because it caused me to train harder than I ever trained," Sanchez said.

Sanchez said Diaz was cursing at him and threw a shoe at him in the locker room before the Sept. 5, 2005, bout at the Hard Rock.

He seethed inside, but remained calm outwardly. Diaz paid the price in the ring, as Sanchez dominated in a three-round unanimous decision.

"I just wish it was a five-round fight," Sanchez said.

Not every opponent is going to react that way, he concedes, but Sanchez is the Super Bowl for the majority of the 170-pounders in the world. The zero in his loss column is an inviting target, but it's one he vows to fight fiercely to defend.