LAS VEGAS – Pat Sabatini beat Jonathan Pearce with a first-round submission Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Battle Evening 244 on the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Have a look contained in the struggle with Sabatini, who rebounded from a first-round knockout loss to Diego Lopes.
Pat Sabatini def. Jonathan Pearce
Pat Sabatini
End result: Pat Sabatini def. Jonathan Pearce through submission (rear-naked choke) – Spherical 1, 4:06
Up to date data: Sabatini (19-5 MMA, 6-2 UFC), Pearce (14-7 MMA, 5-4 UFC)
Key stats: Sabatini managed all however 10 seconds of the struggle and was considered one of solely two upset winners on the cardboard.
Sabatini on the struggle’s key second
Pat Sabatini def. Jonathan Pearce, UFC Battle Evening 244 (through UFC)
“I’d say I’m glad, but it surely’s simply not reducing it. It’s manner, manner past that. I’m ecstatic. I’m thrilled. Proper now, it’s simply one other stage of happiness. This is the reason I do it – this sense proper right here. With this sport – and that is the rationale why I do that sport – when the precise win is nice, but it surely’s overcoming myself and changing into a greater individual, higher fighter and evolving as an individual – and I really feel like I took a pleasant step tonight.”
Sabatini on his private progress
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 12: (L-R) Pat Sabatini battles Jonathan Pearce in a featherweight struggle through the UFC Battle Evening occasion at UFC APEX on October 12, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photograph by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
“I fell down, and as an alternative of falling down and staying down, I selected to get again up and switch into a greater fighter, higher individual, and it confirmed tonight. This sport’s a lot extra psychological than bodily – it’s loopy. I needed to get uncomfortable with a purpose to get to that subsequent stage.
“… Working with a sports activities psychologist – I truly simply acquired off the cellphone with him; I needed to give him a name and be like, ‘Hey, our stuff labored’ – it provides you the ways and the precise instruments to remain current and simply put your self in the very best place to carry out at your finest.
“I feel ego for lots of people will get in the best way of voicing it, however I’m not ashamed to say I’ve been a prisoner in my very own thoughts. I’ve been the ruler of my very own thoughts. The thoughts is the whole lot on this recreation.”
Sabatini on what he desires subsequent
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 11: Diego Lopes of Brazil punches Pat Sabatini in a featherweight struggle through the UFC 295 occasion at Madison Sq. Backyard on November 11, 2023 in New York Metropolis. (Photograph by Sarah Stier/Getty Photographs)
“I do have two losses within the UFC. I’d like to avenge both of them or each, even when it is available in time. I’ve no names specifically, no instances specifically, however you’ll be able to finest consider I’m going to remain prepared. It could possibly be it could possibly be in Australia, it could possibly be right here in Vegas, it could possibly be in Bristol, Pa. – doesn’t matter.”
To listen to extra from Sabatini, take a look at the video of the total post-fight interview above.
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Battle Evening 244.
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