Sanchez (8-3) has competed for the UFC since September 2006 and has fought exclusively for the company until now. He is most known for being selected as Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic's first UFC opponent. Sanchez lost via first-round TKO but went on to win his two remaining fights in 2007. Last year, Sanchez dropped his two fights to Antoni Hardonk and Justin McCully to end his six-fight stint in the Octagon with a .500 record.
Sanchez's opponent will be Jay White (4-5) of Xtreme Couture. White, who has losses on his record to UFC veterans Jake O'Brien, Jeff Monson and Christian Wellisch, is on a two-fight winning streak.
Bellator 7 will feature two welterweight tournament bouts: former UFC champ Dave Menne (43-15-2) vs. Omar De La Cruz (4-1) and Jorge Otiz (16-4) vs. Lyman Good (8-0).
Kevin Knabjian (10-3-1), who was eliminated by his teammate on the second episode of "The Ultimate Fighter 9: US vs. UK," will take on undefeated Jacob Volkman (8-0).
Kerry Vera (0-0), the wife of UFC fighter Brandon, will make her MMA debut at the event in a 135-pound bout versus Leslie Smith (4-0).
FIGHT CARD:
- 170 lbs: Dave Menne (43-15-2) vs. Omar De La Cruz (4-1)
- 170 lbs: Jorge Ortiz (16-4) vs. Lyman Good (8-0)
- 155 lbs: Troy Gerhart (4-0) vs. Lorenzo Borgomeo (5-1)
- 265 lbs: Eddie Sanchez (8-3) vs. Jay White (4-5)
- 155 lbs: Alonzo Martinez (22-13-1) vs. Victor Meza (9-1)
- 170 lbs: Jesse Juarez (9-5) vs. Marcelo Alfaya (10-5)
- 170 lbs: Anthony Lapsley (14-4) vs. Ryan Williams (7-4)
- 170 lbs: Jacob Volkman (8-0) vs. Kevin Knabjian (10-3-1)
- 135 lbs: Kerry Vera (0-0) vs. Leslie Smith (4-0)
