Career Averages - Pat Sabatini
Career Averages - Jonathan Pearce
Pat Sabatini
Jonathan Pearce
Pat Sabatini - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Sabatini | 0 | 25 of 70 | 35% | 78 of 125 | 3 of 20 | 15% | 0 | 0 | 11:12 |
| William Gomis | 0 | 23 of 64 | 35% | 54 of 98 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Sabatini | 0 | 3 of 11 | 27% | 16 of 24 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 4:36 |
| William Gomis | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 8 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Pat Sabatini | 0 | 8 of 30 | 26% | 31 of 54 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 3:17 |
| William Gomis | 0 | 10 of 30 | 33% | 20 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Pat Sabatini | 0 | 14 of 29 | 48% | 31 of 47 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 3:19 |
| William Gomis | 0 | 11 of 30 | 36% | 26 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Sabatini | 25 of 70 | 35% | 7 of 44 | 6 of 10 | 12 of 16 | 18 of 57 | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 |
| William Gomis | 23 of 64 | 35% | 12 of 50 | 8 of 10 | 3 of 4 | 13 of 49 | 10 of 15 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Sabatini | 3 of 11 | 27% | 2 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| William Gomis | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Pat Sabatini | 8 of 30 | 26% | 2 of 19 | 2 of 5 | 4 of 6 | 7 of 27 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| William Gomis | 10 of 30 | 33% | 5 of 22 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 26 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Pat Sabatini | 14 of 29 | 48% | 3 of 15 | 3 of 4 | 8 of 10 | 11 of 26 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| William Gomis | 11 of 30 | 36% | 6 of 25 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 22 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sabatini (-205), Gomis (+170)
Round 1
An interesting stylistic clash will move the prelims along, with grappling ace Sabatini (21-5, 8-2 UFC) ready and willing to burst out after 10 previous walks to the cage. He will square off with MMA Factory product Gomis (15-3, 5-1 UFC), with the two featherweights under observation by referee Vincent Dudley. Fists are bumped before they are traded.
The taller Gomis marches forward, watching Sabatini kicks fly past him. Sabatini shoots in low for a single, forcing Gomis to the wall and hurling him to the floor. Gomis climbs back up but is still in the arms of his opponent. This strategy totally stifles the Frenchman, with Sabatini controlling and not needing to take the fight down to keep Gomis from landing anything. Johnny Cage, the Pennsylvanian isn’t, as he would much rather wrestle than throw hands, feet, elbows or his sunglasses.
Gomis turns to put his shoulder on the fence and try to escape, but he is stuck without answers. Sabatini slugs him a few times in the face with his free hand, otherwise controlling for long stretches at a time. Little else happens while they do this. Sabatini goes low for a single, briefly dragging Gomis to a knee. Gomis stands, and Sabatini complains to Dudley that his glove is being grabbed. Dudley clears Gomis from any foul, and while they are paying attention to the referee, Sabatini slings Gomis to his seat. Gomis tries for a few elbow strikes from a funny angle, and the slog of a round wraps.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Round 2
Gomis walks Sabatini down to start the round, but he does not commit to anything as he knows a takedown attempt is coming. Sabatini feints, fakes and works his way forward to back Gomis off, and he shoots in on his hips. Gomis stands him up by putting his back to the cage wall, with Sabatini leaning on him kneeing him once or twice. Sabatini lifts Gomis’ left leg all the way in the air to set him down on the canvas, but he can only keep Gomis down for a second or two before he is back up. Sabatini lifts Gomis off the ground completely to slam him on his face, and once more, Gomis is speedy at rushing back to his feet. The grind is firmly embraced by Sabatini, as he has controlled and neutralized the Frenchman largely to this point.
Gomis times the right moment to escape, and he takes a right hand on the beard as he resets. Gomis kicks Sabatini in the groin, and Sabatini waves him off and keeps plodding forward. Sabatini loops a right hand, a left, and a jumping switch kick behind it. Gomis times a body kick when he is landing, and he just misses a head kick to follow. Sabatini ducks a one-two to attack a takedown, pushing Gomis to the fencing to defend it. He holds Gomis in place, but does not ground him. With 15 seconds left in the round, Gomis breaks out. They clash kicks at the same time, and both trade fierce hands before the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Round 3
The athletes touch gloves, and Gomis wants to punch him in the face directly thereafter. They clash leg kicks together, their shins slamming together loudly. Gomis loads up on power, hoping for the home run blow as he is likely down on the scorecards. Two takedown shots from Sabatini fail, and Gomis stands him up with a flush elbow on the cheek. Sabatini, swelling growing under his left eye fast from that elbow, plods forward threatening and faking strikes on his way in. He dives after a single, pushing Gomis to the fence with three-plus minutes left on the clock. Fans do not appreciate the ubiquitous grappler who is somehow able to get all over Gomis and completely overwhelm him with his approach at once.
Gomis knees him in the stomach, and he gets dragged down to the floor on his face. Sabatini briefly grinds Gomis face on a part of the canvas with blood drops on it that make a pattern reminiscent of a gruesome ladybug, and Gomis fights as best he can to stand back up. Sabatini chains attempts to hit mat returns, and otherwise rips precious seconds off the clock. Gomis gets space with seconds left and starts throwing hands wildly like a spinning top. Sabatini rocks him with a right hand, and the grueling contest ends. Gomis raises his hand in hopes that he sneaks out two of three rounds to get the unexpected nod. We’ll see what happens.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini (30-27 Sabatini)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini (30-27 Sabatini)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini (30-27 Sabatini)
The Official Result
Pat Sabatini def. William Gomis via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Angelo is confident in Pat Sabatini, noting his incredible grappling and control. He believes Sabatini will take down William Gomez repeatedly and that Gomez's slow technical style won't be enough to stop the takedowns. He mentions that Sabatini has looked incredible lately and that the odds are good value.
Angelo picks Pat Sabatini, citing his dominant wrestling and takedown ability. He notes Sabatini took down Chepe Mariscal seven times and expects similar against Gomis. He says Gomis can be taken down and lacks one-punch knockout power, so Sabatini faces no risk of being KO'd. He loves the minus 133 odds and thinks it's a dominant win.
Big Brady is confident Pat Sabatini wins, citing his elite wrestling and control. He notes Gomis lacks power and has been taken down and put in bad spots before. Brady expects Sabatini to get takedowns and secure a submission, specifically a second-round submission, as Gomis has shown vulnerability to submissions.
Cody picks Sabatini, citing his wrestling and submission skills. He notes Gomis's takedown defense issues and thinks Sabatini can control him on the ground. Cody expects Sabatini to win by submission or decision.
Connor picks Sabatini, believing his wrestling is good enough to get takedowns and control the fight. He notes that Sabatini is a better wrestler than others who have had success against Gomis. Connor expects a razor-thin decision, possibly a split, but thinks Sabatini's dedication to his game plan will earn him the nod.
Daniel picks Sabatini, reasoning that Gomis is a point fighter who doesn't dish out much damage, so Sabatini will take him down and control him on the ground. He believes Sabatini's grappling will be the difference.
Sabatini has home advantage and a relentless grappling style that will smother Gomis. Gomis is a volume striker who needs distance, but Sabatini will either be far outside or in the clinch/takedown range. Gomis has poor takedown defense and takes a long time to get back up; he's been in many split decisions. Sabatini's cardio allows him to grapple for three rounds. Unless Gomis has significantly improved his takedown defense, Sabatini should control the fight.
Predicted method: Submission Round 2. Sabatini's grappling-heavy style (4.48 takedowns per round, 1.5 submission average) is a clear path to victory against Gomis, who has only 72% takedown defense and has been taken down multiple times. Gomis has a reach advantage (73" vs 70") and solid striking, but Sabatini's pressure and top control will neutralize that. Sabatini has won three straight and is a proven finisher on the ground. Expect Sabatini to secure takedowns and win by submission or decision.
Jacob agrees with Angelo, stating that Gomez will either land a knee or headkick on an entry or get taken down and controlled. He praises Sabatini's wrestling and control, noting that Gomez is comfortable fighting off his back foot but that Sabatini's pressure and takedowns will be too much. He thinks the price is about right.
Lucrative James picks Pat Sabatini because he believes Sabatini's grappling will be too much for William Gomis, who is a pure striker without power or strong takedown defense. He notes that Gomis prefers to stay on the outside, which plays into Sabatini's game of closing distance and taking the fight to the ground. He predicts Sabatini wins by submission in round two.
The host picks Sabatini, emphasizing his dominant grappling and ability to control opponents on the ground. He notes that Sabatini's striking is a liability but believes his wrestling will be too much for Gomis, who has shown defensive grappling improvements but may struggle to keep the fight standing. He expects Sabatini to win by decision, possibly at a better price if the line moves.
Paul picks Sabatini, citing his grappling advantage and Gomis's vulnerability. He thinks Sabatini will get takedowns and control the fight. Paul expects Sabatini to win by decision.
The MMA Guru picks Pat Sabatini, praising his elite grappling. He notes Sabatini dominated Shep Mariscal and Joe Anderson Britto, while Gomis had close fights with Britto and others. He worries about Sabatini's chin on the feet but believes his takedowns and top control will secure a decision win, possibly 30-27 or 30-26.
Zane picks Gomis hesitantly. He notes that Gomis is a back-foot neutralizer who can make Sabatini work hard for takedowns. However, Gomis is not a finisher and may not do enough to win rounds decisively. Zane thinks Sabatini's one-dimensional wrestling could be neutralized, leading to a close decision, but Gomis's ability to avoid damage and counter could edge it.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Sabatini | 0 | 12 of 29 | 41% | 40 of 61 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 0 | 0 | 10:37 |
| Chepe Mariscal | 0 | 7 of 19 | 36% | 48 of 71 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:48 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Sabatini | 0 | 4 of 11 | 36% | 8 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:39 |
| Chepe Mariscal | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:33 | |
| 2 | Pat Sabatini | 0 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 21 of 31 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:36 |
| Chepe Mariscal | 0 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 32 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 | |
| 3 | Pat Sabatini | 0 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 11 of 15 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:22 |
| Chepe Mariscal | 0 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 11 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Sabatini | 12 of 29 | 41% | 10 of 24 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 18 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 9 |
| Chepe Mariscal | 7 of 19 | 36% | 2 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 13 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Sabatini | 4 of 11 | 36% | 3 of 7 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Chepe Mariscal | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Pat Sabatini | 7 of 13 | 53% | 6 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 6 |
| Chepe Mariscal | 5 of 10 | 50% | 1 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 2 | |
| 3 | Pat Sabatini | 1 of 5 | 20% | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
| Chepe Mariscal | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Chepe Mariscal, praising his pressure, wrestling, and scrambling ability. He believes Chepe is the better striker and wrestler, and that Pat Sabatini's striking is stiff and he is chinny. Angelo is confident and placed a bet at -113, expecting the line to expand.
Big Brady picks Chepe Mariscal as a slight underdog, acknowledging a clear path for Sabatini via wrestling but favoring Mariscal's striking power. He notes Sabatini's questionable chin, having been knocked out by Damon Jackson and Diego Lopez, and believes Mariscal can exploit that. Brady sees Mariscal's judo as helpful in getting back to his feet and predicts a second-round knockout.
Cody picks Sabatini, noting that his grappling is elite and that Mariscal has been taken down by everyone. He believes Sabatini has learned from his knockout losses and will stick to wrestling. Cody thinks Sabatini can grind out a decision or possibly submit Mariscal. He is not fully confident but sees the path.
Connor also picks Mariscal, agreeing with Zane. He notes that Mariscal is one of the most fluidly offensively minded fighters and that Sabatini needs to dominate and stop the fight from happening, which he can't do against Mariscal. He thinks Mariscal's style is a nightmare for Sabatini.
Daniel sees this as a close fight and picks the underdog Mariscal to win again. He notes that Sabatini's chin is suspect and Mariscal's judo and wild style could keep the fight standing, where Sabatini is vulnerable. He expects a back-and-forth scrap that could end in a knockout for Mariscal.
Lucrative James picks Pat Sabatini to win, believing his elite grappling and top control will be too much for Mariscal. He notes Sabatini's improved control since their first fight and Mariscal's tendency to be taken down. He expects Sabatini to secure takedowns and control the fight on the ground, possibly winning by submission or decision.
Mariscal makes it look more dominant than their first fight. He scrambles and stays ahead of Sabatini, then overwhelms him on the feet leading to a TKO victory.
Paul leans towards Mariscal, noting that he is a better striker and has knockout power. He points out that Sabatini has been knocked out when he tries to strike. Paul thinks Mariscal could win by knockout if he keeps the fight standing. However, he acknowledges the risk of Sabatini's grappling and is not fully committed.
The Guru picks Chepe Mariscal, highlighting his pressure, volume, chin, and scrambling ability. He believes Mariscal's stocky frame will make him hard to hold down for Sabatini, who relies on control. The Guru also notes that judging trends may favor Mariscal if the fight is close. He predicts a late finish or decision win for Mariscal.
Zane picks Mariscal, noting that Mariscal is an excellent scrambler who never stops fighting and that Sabatini struggles to lock him down. He thinks the fight will be uncomfortable for Sabatini because Mariscal is fluid and creative in scrambles. He also notes that Mariscal has never been submitted and has a good chin.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Sabatini | 0 | 24 of 31 | 77% | 135 of 158 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 1 | 0 | 13:47 |
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 3 of 9 | 33% | 27 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Sabatini | 0 | 12 of 14 | 85% | 22 of 28 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 4:43 |
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 10 of 12 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Pat Sabatini | 0 | 6 of 8 | 75% | 52 of 59 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:34 |
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 13 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Pat Sabatini | 0 | 6 of 9 | 66% | 61 of 71 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:30 |
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Sabatini | 24 of 31 | 77% | 22 of 28 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 21 of 23 |
| Joanderson Brito | 3 of 9 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Sabatini | 12 of 14 | 85% | 12 of 13 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 12 |
| Joanderson Brito | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Pat Sabatini | 6 of 8 | 75% | 4 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 |
| Joanderson Brito | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Pat Sabatini | 6 of 9 | 66% | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 6 |
| Joanderson Brito | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Brito (-205), Sabatini (+170)
Round 1
It is a grappler against a wild man in the co-main event, one where the winner might potentially have a number next to their name on Monday. Philly-based grappler Sabatini (19-5, 6-2 UFC) will present danger for as long as the bout is on the mat, but every fight starts on the feet. Brito (17-4-1, 5-2 UFC) is no slouch when grappling, so fun exchanges could come early and often. Referee Keith Peterson will have his hands full with these featherweights, although he is able to take a breath as the fighters look to collide with no nonsense in the building. Fists are bumped before they are traded, and Brito gest right to walking the American down. Sabatini springs from side to side, tossing out one kick and having Brito respond with a kick. Sabatini follows the Brazilian’s kick with a single, which he uses to deposit Brito on the canvas easily. Brito defends with the guillotine off his back, opening himself up to Von Preux choke danger as Sabatini traps him with an arm-triangle at the same time. Brito scoots his way to the wall to take a bit of pressure off of him, and he follows the moving legs of his opponent to maintain half guard or guard. Sabatini tries again for the Von Flue, and he pulls his own head out of Brito’s sub. Sabatini stays flat on his man, squeezing down with an arm-triangle setup while Brito smacks him with short but frustrating strikes off his back. Sabatini gets off the heavier of the blows while above, but Brito still manages to put his back on the wire. Sabatini pulls him away from the fence, and Brito sits to stand while Sabatini threatening with a guillotine choke. Sabatini lands a single knee before letting go of the choke, and he lifts Brito in the air and slams him down to the floor. With Brito hanging on with the guillotine, the Von Preux counter is troubling him as Sabatini clings to his neck with his left arm. Sabatini uses his weight to push Brito against the wall and hope for the leverage to be right for a submission. Brito stays calm and wriggles his neck out of danger, and Sabatini climbs into half guard and assaults him with punches and elbows. Brito attacks off his back, and again Sabatini’s are far more effective. The one-sided round ends with both men flailing at one another.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Sabatini
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Round 2
Sabatini motions awkwardly to his opponent, offering the glove touch while also wanting to stay far away from the grappler. Brito kicks, and Sabatini sells out for a takedown. Brito hits his seat searching for a front choke, and Sabatini laughs it off and pushes Brito to his back. Sabatini establishes himself on top in half guard, smothering Brito and preventing the expected explosions thanks in part to heavy chest pressure. Sabatini looks to hook up a crucifix with his knee, and he opens things up to try to pass guard, only for Brito to drag him back. Sabatini strikes when he finds openings, irritating the dangerous “Tubarao” while energy is drained from his tank. Brito uses butterfly hooks to push off, and Sabatini is so singularly focused on the top control that he is not budging. Sabatini scores several left hands on the chin, and he times Brito sitting up to flatten him back out in an instant. The Brazilian is out of ideas, with Sabatini two steps ahead of him at every turn. Sabatini renders his foe fairly powerless until the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Round 3
Brito jogs out of his corner to touch gloves, and he dodges a spin strike to come up top with a huge right hand. Sabatini rolls with the punch and switches stances to work his way forward. Brito absorbs a spinning back fist to swing back a right hand, and he jumps guard with a guillotine choke when Sabatini shoots in for a single. Sabatini issues the thumbs-up a few times as the submission is not under his chin, and he threatens with another Von Preux until Brito releases the grip. Sabatini resides in the half guard, where he has spent most of this fight, and he bludgeons Brito every so often. When Brito goes for broke swinging with his back stuck on the floor, Sabatini postures up to drill him with some ground-and-pound. The smothering continues for the Renzo Gracie Philly fighter, displaying that there are levels to this grappling thing. Brito, a savvy submission artist in his own right, has been blanked tonight, with a ceiling that is very clear above him. Sabatini circles around to take Brito’s back, getting his hooks in, and he starts hunting for a kneebar. When Brito turns over, he gives up mount, and Sabatini starts whaling on him. Brito gets to a knee despite taking strikes on the sides of the head, and Sabatini takes any remaining hope and deposits it in the local trash can with dominant control and grappling wizardry. It might not have been the most scintillating to watch, but Sabatini sends a message that the fearsome marauder Brito has met his match.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Sabatini (30-25 Sabatini)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-8 Sabatini (30-26 Sabatini)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Sabatini (30-26 Sabatini)
The Official Result
Pat Sabatini def. Joanderson Brito via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
Angelo acknowledges this fight has trap written all over it. He notes Joanderson Brito has power and Pat Sabatini is chinny, but also that Brito's BJJ off his back is poor while Sabatini is phenomenal on top. He predicts the fight won't go the distance, with Brito likely knocking out Sabatini or Sabatini submitting Brito. He picks Brito due to cardio improvements and power, but warns Sabatini could sneak a win as a dog.
Big Brady picks Joanderson Brito, citing Pat Sabatini's questionable chin and Brito's power. He believes Sabatini needs a perfect 15-minute grappling performance to win, but Brito will eventually land a big shot and knock him out, likely in the first round.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Brito. He highlights Brito's dangerous athleticism and Sabatini's stiffness on the feet. Connor notes that Brito's chaotic style often leads to finishes, and while Sabatini could win by grinding him down, Brito's ability to create scrambles and his durability make him the pick. He also mentions Brito's tendency to put himself in bad positions but believes Sabatini is too breakable.
Sabatini could have success with his chain wrestling and BJJ, but Brito's striking and power are favored. Brito is expected to land big power shots that Sabatini cannot handle, leading to a knockout in the first or second round.
The Guru picks Joanderson Brito, calling him too powerful, fast, and dangerous on the feet. He notes Brito's win over Diego Lopez and believes he will stuff Sabatini's takedowns and land strikes for a TKO. He expects a first-round finish, possibly within two minutes, and considers the matchup a mismatch.
Zane picks Brito, emphasizing Sabatini's stiff striking and vulnerability to being overwhelmed. He notes Brito's athleticism and tendency to finish fights, but also his recklessness. Zane believes Sabatini's anxious, structured style will struggle with Brito's chaotic, high-pressure approach, and that Brito's athleticism will create a moment where Sabatini can't secure a takedown and gets caught.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Sabatini | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 32 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 19 of 25 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 3:56 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Sabatini | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 32 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 19 of 25 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 3:56 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Sabatini | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 3 of 5 | 60% | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Sabatini | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 3 of 5 | 60% | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pearce (-130), Sabatini (+110)
Round 1
Grapplers enter the Octagon in what should be a fun stylistic clash. On a rare losing streak, Pearce (14-6, 5-3 UFC) has his back against the wall, but the same might be said for Sabatini (18-5, 5-2 UFC), who has dropped two of three. Someone will turn things around in the next 15 minutes or less, and referee Chris Tognoni will follow them every step of the way. Before throwing hands, “JSP” walks over to the other corner to deliver a friendly fist bump. Pearce takes to the center of the cage, and they clash body kicks at the same time. As they tangle up, Sabatini manages to sneak around and grab Pearce from behind, where he hops on his back to take the form of a mean-spirited backpack. Sabatini locks a body triangle around the waist, slugging his left hand around the raised guard of his foe. Pearce leans against the wall to relieve himself of some of the extra weight, and he turns his shoulder to sling Sabatini off of him. The Pennsylvanian turns the corner to get his arms around Pearce once more, and “JSP” is warned for fence grabs to keep himself on his feet. Rules are mere suggestions in the sport of MMA. Sabatini scoops up Pearce’s legs and steps over him to ground him, and Pearce is warned for elbowing the spine and attempting 12-6 elbows—these will be allowed next month. Pearce uses a butterfly guard to keep Sabatini from establishing a more traditional top position, only for Sabatini to smother him and move to half guard. Sabatini steps over to three-quarter mount, hunting for a choke when Pearce turns the wrong direction. Sabatini looks for another submission as Pearce gets to his knees, and Sabatini’s body triangle is wrapped firmly around the ribs. Pearce stands up and elbows Sabatini’s thigh to try to break up the body lock.
Sabatini leans to add his weight to different places on the back, and he slithers his forearm beneath the chin and fastens a nasty rear-naked choke. Pearce’s head turns a brilliant shade of red, and he thinks about going out on his shield but elects to fight another day and taps out.
Sabatini releases the lock and walks to the center of the cage, letting out one triumphant shout before calming himself. Sabatini tries his best to stay cool, but cannot help but flip around the cage, bellowing and fist-pumping in celebration.
The Official Result
Pat Sabatini def. Jonathan Pearce R1 4:06 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo picks Jonathan Pearce, citing his relentless wrestling pressure and awareness of Sabatini's jiu-jitsu. He notes that Sabatini hasn't improved his skills since entering the UFC and that Pearce's non-stop takedown attempts will be key. Angelo also thinks Pearce can have success on the feet, as Sabatini's striking is technical but lacks head movement. He mentions he placed a half-unit bet on Pearce at -131.
Big Brady picks Jonathan Pearce to win by TKO in the second round. He considers this one of his favorite fights on the card, noting both have paths: Sabatini via submission (Pearce has been submitted three times), but Pearce via knockout (Sabatini has been knocked out by Diego Lopes, Damon Jackson, and dropped by Jamall Emmers). He worries about Sabatini's durability and cardio, and believes Pearce's pace will break him down. Despite Pearce potentially getting into bad spots, Brady trusts his ability to fight out of them.
Connor agrees with Zane, noting that Pearce's striking is all fencing and he cannot keep opponents down. He points out that Pearce lost to David Onama despite having control time, and that Sabatini is a better grappler who can win if he gets top position. Connor is surprised Sabatini is the underdog.
This fight was not discussed in the transcript. No picks were made.
Daniel thinks Pearce is more well-rounded and has better volume on the feet, but he acknowledges Sabatini's grinding wrestling and durability. He is not confident because Sabatini could easily grind out a win. Daniel leans toward Pearce to outwork him but admits he wouldn't be surprised by a Sabatini decision.
Pearce is on a two-fight losing streak but looked good in his last fight against David Onama even in defeat. He should use defensive grappling to keep the fight standing and put a pace on Sabatini, who is uncomfortable in the striking realm. Pearce will keep it upright, push the pace, and finish Sabatini in the second or third round.
The MMA Guru picks Pat Sabatini, highlighting his technical grappling edge over Jonathan Pearce. He notes that Pearce is tough with good cardio but makes mistakes in grappling, often losing position. Sabatini has good submissions and control, and the Guru believes he can submit Pearce. He acknowledges Pearce could TKO Sabatini due to a suspect chin, but favors Sabatini's grappling.
This fight was not discussed in the transcript. No picks were made.
Zane thinks Sabatini will win because he is a more willing and confident striker, though both are stiff. He notes Sabatini has paid for trying to do other things and will just go for takedowns. Zane points out that Pearce has poor control time (23%) and cannot keep opponents down, while Sabatini has 52% control time. He believes Sabatini can get takedowns and win on the ground.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diego Lopes | 1 | 13 of 18 | 72% | 13 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Pat Sabatini | 0 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 10 of 16 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diego Lopes | 1 | 13 of 18 | 72% | 13 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Pat Sabatini | 0 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 10 of 16 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diego Lopes | 13 of 18 | 72% | 11 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 7 |
| Pat Sabatini | 7 of 12 | 58% | 3 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diego Lopes | 13 of 18 | 72% | 11 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 7 |
| Pat Sabatini | 7 of 12 | 58% | 3 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sabatini (-120), Lopes (+100)
Round 1
The main card is upon us, and it should provide a grappler’s delight as the two featherweights about to invade the Octagon combine for 23 submission victories without a single defeat via tapout. Aiming to prove he is not just a grappler, action-packed Brazilian contender Lopes (22-6, 1-1 UFC) will bring his 89% finish rate and try to threaten every step of the fight. With not a great deal of New Yorkers on the card, the UFC dipped into the Tri-State Area to pull Pennsylvanian Sabatini (18-4, 4-1 UFC) up onto the billing, and he too would like to showcase his jiu-jitsu chops when it counts. Referee Keith Peterson will draw the assignment for the pay-per-view opener, and the fighters quickly touch ‘em up. No nonsense will be permitted for the next 15 minutes or less. Both men bounce up and down while quite distant from one another, and Lopes tries to reach with a kick. Sabatini surges forward with a three-punch salvo that gets Lopes’ attention, and Lopes has to shake it off early. Sabatini jumps with a switch kick to the body, and Lopes looks to catch it but lets it go all while chants for “USA” rain down in support of Sabatini. The Pennsylvanian comes up short with another jump kick, and the two come together for a possible takedown effort of some sort. Lopes stands his man up with an uppercut as they try to get upright, and Sabatini is stunned when he tries to take a step back. The Brazilian immediately follows suit with a vicious right hand on the temple, and Sabatini might be out on his feet as he turns to another direction and his eyes go wide. Lopes will not let this fish get away, and he charges after Sabatini with powerful fists until pushing Sabatini down to his side. Lopes traps the Pennsylvania native’s arm behind his back and begins battering Sabatini with his free hand. Sabatini, unable to block his face and clinging to consciousness, gets knocked out, back in, and out again as Lopes punishes him with right hands. Peterson recognizes that Sabatini cannot defend himself at all, and he calls a stop to the beating. What a performance for Lopes, who likely catapults himself into featherweight contendership by wrecking a tough out in about a minute and a half.
The Official Result
Diego Lopes def. Pat Sabatini R1 1:30 via KO (Punches)
Angelo picks Sabatini, believing his takedowns and BJJ will neutralize Lopes. He criticizes Lopes' takedown defense and striking, and thinks Sabatini will control the fight on the ground. He plans to bet on Sabatini later in the week.
Big Brady picks Diego Lopes as the underdog, predicting a second or third round submission. He likes Lopes' evolving striking, power, and dangerous submission game off his back. He worries about Sabatini's durability on the feet, noting he has been dropped early in fights. Brady thinks Lopes has more ways to win and that Sabatini will have to fight off submissions for 15 minutes.
Cody picks Sabatini, expecting him to get takedowns and control the fight on top. He notes Sabatini's suffocating top game and ability to avoid submissions. He thinks Lopes' guard is dangerous but Sabatini's grappling is good enough to avoid trouble, and he sees value at even money.
James leans Diego Lopes because he believes Lopes has a clear advantage on the feet with more power and a better chin, while Sabatini's wrestling may not be sufficient to consistently control Lopes. He notes that Sabatini has been submitted before and is chinny, and Lopes has submission upside. However, he acknowledges Sabatini could have control time on top, making it a tricky matchup.
Sabatini is the better wrestler and will dictate where the fight takes place. He is a good enough BJJ artist to fend off Lopes' submission attempts. Sabatini will control positions and grind out a decision win. The line at -120 is a good value. Notes that recency bias from Lopes' highlight finishes is inflating his line.
Paul picks Sabatini, emphasizing his wrestling and top control. He notes Lopes has been taken down easily in the past and relies on submissions from guard. He thinks Sabatini's suffocating style will neutralize Lopes' offense and lead to a decision win.
The MMA Guru picks Diego Lopes, noting his superior Jiu-Jitsu and comfort on the ground, which neutralizes Sabatini's back-taking game. He also highlights Lopes' striking advantage, size, and reach. He predicts a TKO win for Lopes, referencing his recent performances against Movsar Evloev and Gavin Tucker.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Sabatini | 0 | 27 of 35 | 77% | 88 of 97 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 6:27 |
| Lucas Almeida | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Sabatini | 0 | 23 of 31 | 74% | 81 of 90 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:50 |
| Lucas Almeida | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Pat Sabatini | 0 | 4 of 4 | 100% | 7 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 1:37 |
| Lucas Almeida | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Sabatini | 27 of 35 | 77% | 25 of 32 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 24 of 31 |
| Lucas Almeida | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Sabatini | 23 of 31 | 74% | 23 of 30 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 30 |
| Lucas Almeida | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Pat Sabatini | 4 of 4 | 100% | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
| Lucas Almeida | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sabatini (-190), Almeida (+160)
Round 1
In a fight that could end in the blink of an eye, submission specialist Sabatini (17-4, 4-1 UFC) takes on once-beaten finisher Almeida (14-1 1-0 UFC). Together, the two featherweights combine for 26 stoppages in their 31 pro wins, so referee Chris Tognoni could have his hands full. Before they throw down, they opt to bump fists. Almeida advances first, but Sabatini ducks any offense and pursues a quick takedown. Almeida fights off a trip attempt on the way back, and Sabatini looks for a body lock throw. Sabatini secures the drop, and he lands right in half guard while pinning Almeida to his back using his shoulder. Almeida sits up against the fence, but Sabatini hooks both his legs and peels him away from it. Sabatini smoothly maneuvers to keep Almeida trapped on the floor, and he drops down left hands. Sabatini pins Almeida’s right arm down to land several unanswered blows, and he frustrates the Brazilian with his active top control. When Almeida attempts to escape in some direction, Sabatini is aware and follows him every step of the way. Sabatini controls his foe and moves into mount briefly, while nullifying anything that Almeida can do to him. Sabatini leaps back into mount with 75 seconds left in the round, and he also traps Almeida’s arm behind the back and blasts him in the face with left hands. Sabatini hammers Almeida with a few elbows, and Almeida defenselessly takes them flush. Sabatini postures up and batters Almeida with punches and elbows, and Almeida is clinging to his foe with all he has left. Sabatini considers an armbar, but he thinks against it and elbows Almeida repeatedly. Sabatini smashes down with punches right to the bell, and Almeida has survived.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Sabatini
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-8 Sabatini
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Sabatini
Round 2
Sabatini rushes out of his corner to tap gloves, and he immediately hunts for a single to make the Brazilian’s life miserable again. Almeida backs himself against the wall in defense, and Sabatini switches up to a body lock in pursuit of another trip. Sabatini drills a knee to the body and drops down low for a double, and he lets it go to snake his leg between Almeida’s. Sabatini successfully yanks Almeida to the floor, first bringing him to a knee and pushing him flat on his back. Sabatini slashes down with an elbow on the forehead to slice open a cut, and blood leaks down into Almeida’s eyes.
Sabatini transitions over to the side, man on a mission, and he sets up an arm-triangle choke while Almeida fails to clear his vision. The Philadelphia native locks it down and crushes with his shoulder and full body weight, and Almeida has no choice but to tap.
As Tognoni pulls them apart, Sabatini has just become the first fighter to ever finish the Brazilian featherweight, doing so in a spectacular and one-sided performance.
The Official Result
Pat Sabatini def. Lucas Almeida R2 1:48 via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)
Angelo picks Pat Sabatini because he has a huge grappling advantage. He notes that Sabatini's chin is a concern after recent knockouts, but he has been recovering. Lucas Almeida has dangerous hands and good scramble skills, but Sabatini's takedowns and top control should be the difference. Angelo also considers a prop bet on Almeida inside the distance/decision no action.
Big Brady picks Lucas Almeida to win by first-round knockout. He likes both fighters but sees Almeida as a live dog due to his power and volume. Brady questions Sabatini's durability, noting he was hurt by Jamall Emmers and Damon Jackson. Almeida has a 100% finish rate and hits very hard, as seen in his fight with Daniel Zellhuber. Brady thinks Sabatini needs to wrestle early and often, but Almeida's takedown defense looks solid and he is physically strong. If Almeida can keep the fight standing for even a few minutes, he likely gets the knockout.
Cody is hesitant on Sabatini, acknowledging that Almeida has crushing power and improved cardio, and that Sabatini's chin is questionable. He notes that Sabatini's wrestling is good but not elite, and that he tends to stall rather than finish. Cody thinks Sabatini will likely get takedowns and control the fight, but it will be a butt-clencher because Almeida can shut the lights off at any time. He doesn't love the -200 price.
Connor also picks Sabatini, acknowledging that Almeida could KO him but trusting Sabatini's grappling. He notes that Sabatini is awkward on the feet but has shown the ability to recover and submit opponents after being hurt. Connor is less confident than he would like but sees Sabatini as the safer pick.
Daniel Levi leans toward Lucas Almeida, believing if the fight stays standing, Almeida will knock Sabatini out. He notes Sabatini's low volume and chin issues, citing knockouts by Damon Jackson and Jamall Emmers. However, he expresses hesitation because Sabatini's wrestling could neutralize Almeida, leading to a frustrating loss. He considers it a coin flip but prefers the dog.
Sabatini is the best grappler Almeida has faced. He should get takedowns and rack up control time, possibly even a submission. However, there is concern about how Sabatini rebounds from his knockout loss to Damon Jackson. Almeida has power but has shown grappling deficiencies. Sabatini wins by decision.
Paul is not laying -200 on Sabatini, calling him one-dimensional. He notes that Sabatini's takedowns are not always effective and that Almeida has power and durability. Paul thinks Almeida could be in big trouble if the fight stays on the feet, and he likes the plus money on Almeida. He also mentions a prop on Almeida by KO in round 1 at +700.
The MMA Guru picks Lucas Almeida over Pat Sabatini, arguing Sabatini doesn't do much with takedowns and has been stuffed before. He notes Almeida's durability and finishing ability, referencing his comeback win over Mike Trizano. He believes Almeida can survive bad positions on the ground and land a big shot on the feet.
Zane picks Sabatini despite concerns about his striking. He believes the grappling disparity is too wide and that Almeida takes too many risks standing, which will lead to Sabatini getting takedowns. Zane notes that Almeida has never faced a wrestler of Sabatini's caliber and that Sabatini can survive early trouble to win on the mat.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damon Jackson | 0 | 11 of 20 | 55% | 16 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
| Pat Sabatini | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Damon Jackson | 0 | 11 of 20 | 55% | 16 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
| Pat Sabatini | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damon Jackson | 11 of 20 | 55% | 11 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 15 |
| Pat Sabatini | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Damon Jackson | 11 of 20 | 55% | 11 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 15 |
| Pat Sabatini | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sabatini (-180), Jackson (+155)
Round 1
A pair of surging featherweights are on deck to provide what should be a scintillating clash of grappling styles. With 25 combined submissions between the two, any ground exchanges should be worth watching. Responsible for 15 of those tapouts/chokeouts is “The Leech” Jackson (21-4-1, 1 NC; 4-2-1, 1 NC UFC), while Renzo Gracie Philly rep Sabatini (17-3, 4-0 UFC) posts the other 10. This will be an emotional affair, as Jackson's brother passed away earlier this week. Referee Keith Peterson is ready to step in at a moment’s notice should nonsense materialize out of thin air, and there is no need of a glove touch as these two want to get after it. The first 30 seconds lead to nothing, and out of nowhere, Jackson fires off a front kick to the chin that stuns Sabatini. Sabatini lunges forward, and Jackson turns him about and throws him on his back. Jackson begins to pound on him with his fists, and Sabatini is in a bad way.
Jackson allows Sabatini to give up his back so that he can climb aboard and drop hammers. Sabatini shells up, flattened out on his stomach, and Jackson continues to bombard him with unanswered punches to the side of the head. The blows are fierce and furious, and Jackson does not slow down until Sabatini cries out and Peterson steps in to call a halt to the match.
Jackson climbs off his fallen foe, and he goes over to his corner and collapses to his knees and breaks down in tears. It is an emotional moment for Jackson and his family in the crowd, as he fights to honor his fallen brother.
The Official Result
Damon Jackson def. Pat Sabatini R1 1:09 via TKO (Submission to Punches)
Angelo picks Sabatini, citing his superior wrestling and pure grappling. He notes that Sabatini has technical striking and controls range well, but his main path is through takedowns and top control. Angelo worries about Jackson's pressure but believes Sabatini's grappling will prevail. He is surprised the line has tightened.
Big Brady picks Pat Sabatini to win inside the distance, but acknowledges it's a tough fight to call. He notes that both fighters are similar—BJJ black belts with wrestling backgrounds and mediocre striking. Brady gives the edge to Sabatini due to his youth, power on the feet, and training at Renzo Gracie Philly (which has a 15-0 or 16-0 UFC record). He also points out that Damon Jackson has been finished in all four of his losses (three by KO). Brady predicts Sabatini will hurt Jackson on the feet and then submit him.
Cody thinks Jackson's BJJ black belt and striking advantage will trouble Sabatini, who is one-dimensional. He notes Sabatini struggles when takedowns are stuffed and Jackson can make it ugly on the feet. Cody calls it a potential apple pie (underdog pick).
Daniel Levi picks Pat Sabatini, trusting his wrestling and submission game to win rounds. He views Sabatini as a reliable round-winner despite low output, while Jackson can be slowed down and give up positions. He thinks Sabatini is more likely to seal rounds with late takedowns. He does not bet due to the price.
Jacob is a big fan of Sabatini, calling him 'my dude' and noting his 4-0 lock of the week record. He praises Sabatini's control on the ground and his ability to keep opponents against the cage. Jacob worries about Sabatini's striking improvements but believes his grappling will dominate. He jumped on the -200 line and may double down.
Jackson is the best grappler Sabatini has faced; once it hits the mat, it's a 50-50 fight. Sabatini may be the better wrestler but Jackson has high-level Jiu-Jitsu and experience against tough competition. Jackson's ability to reverse and get back to his feet will be key. The line should be closer to a pick'em, so Jackson at plus money is worth a shot. I see Jackson winning a decision.
Paul leans Jackson, noting Sabatini's lack of striking and that Jackson can stuff takedowns. He admits he hasn't been a Jackson guy historically but sees a path. He's not very confident.
The MMA Guru picks Pat Sabatini by submission in the third round. He notes Damon Jackson often wins by barely doing enough and has trouble with shorter opponents, as seen against Daniel Argueta. He believes Sabatini's jiu-jitsu and shorter stocky frame will cause problems, and that Sabatini is younger and closer to his prime. He expects Sabatini to get a submission win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Sabatini | 0 | 36 of 63 | 57% | 124 of 162 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 7:59 |
| T.J. Laramie | 0 | 15 of 31 | 48% | 22 of 39 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 4:07 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Sabatini | 0 | 9 of 16 | 56% | 25 of 32 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
| T.J. Laramie | 0 | 9 of 15 | 60% | 15 of 21 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:53 | |
| 2 | Pat Sabatini | 0 | 24 of 40 | 60% | 71 of 94 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:57 |
| T.J. Laramie | 0 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:42 | |
| 3 | Pat Sabatini | 0 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 28 of 36 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:41 |
| T.J. Laramie | 0 | 6 of 14 | 42% | 7 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:32 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Sabatini | 36 of 63 | 57% | 29 of 55 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 13 of 24 | 1 of 2 | 22 of 37 |
| T.J. Laramie | 15 of 31 | 48% | 9 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 5 | 12 of 24 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Sabatini | 9 of 16 | 56% | 4 of 10 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| T.J. Laramie | 9 of 15 | 60% | 4 of 9 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 2 | |
| 2 | Pat Sabatini | 24 of 40 | 60% | 23 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 22 of 37 |
| T.J. Laramie | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Pat Sabatini | 3 of 7 | 42% | 2 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| T.J. Laramie | 6 of 14 | 42% | 5 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Many UFC fighters come up through Dana White’s Contender Series these days, with the farm system churning year after year to pump prospects into the ranks. Sabatini (16-3, 3-0 UFC), who has won three fights since his 2021 debut on the roster, is not one of those fighters, as he came up the old-fashioned way by claiming belts on the regional scene – Cage Fury FC, to be precise. He will meet Laramie (12-4, 0-1 UFC), who was picked up from the 2020 season of DWCS, and is looking for his first UFC victory. The featherweights touch gloves in front of referee Herb Dean, and they both circle one another in the early going trying to find a striking range. They kick one another low, one after the next, and they do the same again. Sabatini shoots in low for a takedown, only to get stuffed with ease on the way in. Laramie is well-prepared for the second attempt, which follows soon after. Laramie turns him around in the fence, and when he does, Sabatini sets up a guillotine choke standing up. Sabatini goes for a trip takedown, and Laramie manages to scramble mid-air to put Sabatini on his back. Sabatini keeps an active guard, and he uses his right leg to wrap around the shoulder in a possible triangle or even omoplata setup. Laramie shucks it off, but he cannot keep Sabatini on his back, as the Pennsylvanian fights his way back up. Laramie kicks the body, and Sabatini kicks the inside leg. As soon as Sabatini sets his own leg down, he snatches up the Canadian’s leg and hits a single to take him down. “The Truth” springs back up, and he scores a trio of punches when Sabatini rumbles towards him. They both land strikes simultaneously, as they have been doing for much of the fight, and they clinch up with Sabatini pushed up the wall. Sabatini unloads with a brutal kick to the liver, and the toes stab into it in such a way that Laramie leans over in trouble. Sabatini chases after him and wings a high kick that slams into the side of the Canadian’s head. Instead of trying to finish the job on the feet, Sabatini jumps guard for a guillotine, and Laramie somehow manages to yank his head free. Briefly taking mount, Laramie settles for half guard to ride out the rest of the round and recover.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Round 2
Sabatini practically runs out of his corner to start off the second round, and he wings a pair of looping punches before shooting in low for a single. Laramie defends the takedown with a guillotine choke of his own, with it threatening just enough to make Sabatini think about it. The two stand back up, and Laramie presses him up against the wall. Sabatini gets turned around, and he changes levels for another takedown, only for Laramie to rebuff him as they both drop to their knees. Sabatini goes after a double, and Sabatini pummels, turns the corner in search of a single, and lifts Laramie’s leg up in the air high enough to scoop Laramie off the ground. Laramie hits the ground on his backside, and Sabatini is already circled around to the back in pursuit of a choke. Looping his legs beneath Laramie’s, Sabatini holds Laramie down and works him on the side of the head with punches. The punches keep coming from the Pennsylvanian until Laramie wrenches his leg out, but Sabatini does not let him free completely and still bullies him with punches. Laramie rolls to his back, but Sabatini keeps him in his preferred position with a partial hook in. A few more punches fluster Laramie enough to turn, which lets Sabatini pursue a choke. Sabatini winds up on power punches from on top, pounding into the side of the Canadian’s head. Laramie is surviving but slowly fading as the punishment begins to add up. Sabatini has his foe on one knee, having taken his back with one hook in, and he makes Laramie’s life miserable with effective ground-and-pound. Laramie attempts to turn out, but Sabatini is riding him like a horse, while busting him up on both sides. No choke presents itself, so Sabatini elects to sit on his back and land irritating punches right to the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Sabatini
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Sabatini
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Sabatini
Round 3
The featherweights touch gloves to start off the last round, and Laramie is fired up and hellbent for leather. Sabatini wings a right hand at him, and it bounces off the dome as he distracts his man and shoots for a takedown. Laramie defends it and pushes him back to the wall, but Sabatini is able to break free and swing a high kick. When the kick misses, Sabatini spins with a back fist, and that too misses the mark. The momentum from the Pennsylvania native allows him to press forward to a takedown that simply bowls Laramie over. Laramie defends off his back with a leglock, and he keeps Sabatini at bay when that does not succeed with a pushing upkick. Sabatini jumps down on top, and he pushes the Canadian over to take half guard. Staying busy on top with punches and an arm-triangle choke setup, Sabatini is not in danger of Dean standing them up. Instead, Laramie takes it upon himself to get up, as he explodes up to his feet so that he is not losing control time. Getting up by wall-walking, Sabatini trips him back out shortly after he stands, and he gets back to that partial back-take position where he rode out much of the second round. Sabatini winds up with several knees to the thigh when he pulls his hook free, as Laramie tries to stand. A trip from Sabatini drops “The Truth” back down on his hands and knees, and Sabatini snakes a hook in so that he can get back to his smothering top control with surprisingly effective punches. Laramie looks to push through to get up, only for Sabatini to take his back and cinch up Laramie’s arm with his legs. Laramie twists with all his might to put Sabatini on his back, and Sabatini defends with a shoulder lock before going after a leg. The submission attempts from his back keep coming right until the bitter end, when the final bell rings and the fight comes to a close.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini (30-26 Sabatini)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini (30-26 Sabatini)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini (30-26 Sabatini)
The Official Result
Pat Sabatini def. T.J. Laramie via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Angelo picks Pat Sabatini, continuing to ride the Sabatini train. He praises Sabatini's outstanding grappling and decent striking, noting his ability to control range and set up takedowns. He acknowledges that T.J. Laramie is dangerous with power and submissions, but believes Sabatini's technical striking will avoid big shots. He thinks the odds are a bit wide but still picks Sabatini.
Big Brady picks Pat Sabatini to win by first-round submission. He highlights Sabatini's relentless wrestling and BJJ black belt, predicting he will take Laramie down and submit him early. He acknowledges Laramie has better striking but believes the grappling gap is huge. He expects Sabatini to take Laramie's back and tap him out in the first round.
Cody picks Sabatini, emphasizing his wrestling and physicality. He notes Laramie's size disadvantage and thinks Sabatini will impose his grappling. He acknowledges Laramie's potential but believes Sabatini's game plan is clear.
Daniel Levi picks Pat Sabatini, citing his ability to overcome adversity (as seen against Jamal Emmons), his submission skills, and his pace-setting wrestling. He notes Laramie is too small for featherweight (listed 5'6" but likely 5'4") and has a 66-inch reach, making him undersized. Levi expects Laramie to be game but believes Sabatini's ceiling is higher and he should win, though the fight might be closer than the line suggests.
Paul picks Sabatini, noting his size and grappling advantage. He thinks Sabatini will take Laramie down and control him, despite Laramie's striking edge. He mentions he already bet Sabatini at -350 as part of a parlay.
The MMA Guru picks Pat Sabatini by first-round submission. He notes Sabatini's grappling expertise and win streak, and criticizes T.J. Laramie's physique and debut performance. He expects Sabatini to submit Laramie easily, possibly by guillotine or other submission.
Jonathan Pearce - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Sabatini | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 32 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 19 of 25 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 3:56 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Sabatini | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 32 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 19 of 25 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 3:56 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Sabatini | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 3 of 5 | 60% | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Sabatini | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 3 of 5 | 60% | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pearce (-130), Sabatini (+110)
Round 1
Grapplers enter the Octagon in what should be a fun stylistic clash. On a rare losing streak, Pearce (14-6, 5-3 UFC) has his back against the wall, but the same might be said for Sabatini (18-5, 5-2 UFC), who has dropped two of three. Someone will turn things around in the next 15 minutes or less, and referee Chris Tognoni will follow them every step of the way. Before throwing hands, “JSP” walks over to the other corner to deliver a friendly fist bump. Pearce takes to the center of the cage, and they clash body kicks at the same time. As they tangle up, Sabatini manages to sneak around and grab Pearce from behind, where he hops on his back to take the form of a mean-spirited backpack. Sabatini locks a body triangle around the waist, slugging his left hand around the raised guard of his foe. Pearce leans against the wall to relieve himself of some of the extra weight, and he turns his shoulder to sling Sabatini off of him. The Pennsylvanian turns the corner to get his arms around Pearce once more, and “JSP” is warned for fence grabs to keep himself on his feet. Rules are mere suggestions in the sport of MMA. Sabatini scoops up Pearce’s legs and steps over him to ground him, and Pearce is warned for elbowing the spine and attempting 12-6 elbows—these will be allowed next month. Pearce uses a butterfly guard to keep Sabatini from establishing a more traditional top position, only for Sabatini to smother him and move to half guard. Sabatini steps over to three-quarter mount, hunting for a choke when Pearce turns the wrong direction. Sabatini looks for another submission as Pearce gets to his knees, and Sabatini’s body triangle is wrapped firmly around the ribs. Pearce stands up and elbows Sabatini’s thigh to try to break up the body lock.
Sabatini leans to add his weight to different places on the back, and he slithers his forearm beneath the chin and fastens a nasty rear-naked choke. Pearce’s head turns a brilliant shade of red, and he thinks about going out on his shield but elects to fight another day and taps out.
Sabatini releases the lock and walks to the center of the cage, letting out one triumphant shout before calming himself. Sabatini tries his best to stay cool, but cannot help but flip around the cage, bellowing and fist-pumping in celebration.
The Official Result
Pat Sabatini def. Jonathan Pearce R1 4:06 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo picks Jonathan Pearce, citing his relentless wrestling pressure and awareness of Sabatini's jiu-jitsu. He notes that Sabatini hasn't improved his skills since entering the UFC and that Pearce's non-stop takedown attempts will be key. Angelo also thinks Pearce can have success on the feet, as Sabatini's striking is technical but lacks head movement. He mentions he placed a half-unit bet on Pearce at -131.
Big Brady picks Jonathan Pearce to win by TKO in the second round. He considers this one of his favorite fights on the card, noting both have paths: Sabatini via submission (Pearce has been submitted three times), but Pearce via knockout (Sabatini has been knocked out by Diego Lopes, Damon Jackson, and dropped by Jamall Emmers). He worries about Sabatini's durability and cardio, and believes Pearce's pace will break him down. Despite Pearce potentially getting into bad spots, Brady trusts his ability to fight out of them.
Connor agrees with Zane, noting that Pearce's striking is all fencing and he cannot keep opponents down. He points out that Pearce lost to David Onama despite having control time, and that Sabatini is a better grappler who can win if he gets top position. Connor is surprised Sabatini is the underdog.
This fight was not discussed in the transcript. No picks were made.
Daniel thinks Pearce is more well-rounded and has better volume on the feet, but he acknowledges Sabatini's grinding wrestling and durability. He is not confident because Sabatini could easily grind out a win. Daniel leans toward Pearce to outwork him but admits he wouldn't be surprised by a Sabatini decision.
Pearce is on a two-fight losing streak but looked good in his last fight against David Onama even in defeat. He should use defensive grappling to keep the fight standing and put a pace on Sabatini, who is uncomfortable in the striking realm. Pearce will keep it upright, push the pace, and finish Sabatini in the second or third round.
The MMA Guru picks Pat Sabatini, highlighting his technical grappling edge over Jonathan Pearce. He notes that Pearce is tough with good cardio but makes mistakes in grappling, often losing position. Sabatini has good submissions and control, and the Guru believes he can submit Pearce. He acknowledges Pearce could TKO Sabatini due to a suspect chin, but favors Sabatini's grappling.
This fight was not discussed in the transcript. No picks were made.
Zane thinks Sabatini will win because he is a more willing and confident striker, though both are stiff. He notes Sabatini has paid for trying to do other things and will just go for takedowns. Zane points out that Pearce has poor control time (23%) and cannot keep opponents down, while Sabatini has 52% control time. He believes Sabatini can get takedowns and win on the ground.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Onama | 0 | 57 of 129 | 44% | 87 of 165 | 5 of 14 | 35% | 1 | 1 | 4:49 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 58 of 104 | 55% | 66 of 115 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 5 | 2:15 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Onama | 0 | 15 of 41 | 36% | 15 of 41 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 14 of 23 | 60% | 18 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:49 | |
| 2 | David Onama | 0 | 14 of 18 | 77% | 29 of 37 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 1 | 1 | 3:16 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 3 | 0:36 | |
| 3 | David Onama | 0 | 28 of 70 | 40% | 43 of 87 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 39 of 71 | 54% | 42 of 75 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:50 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Onama | 57 of 129 | 44% | 37 of 102 | 13 of 19 | 7 of 8 | 44 of 114 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 14 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 58 of 104 | 55% | 50 of 94 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 54 of 99 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Onama | 15 of 41 | 36% | 6 of 28 | 6 of 9 | 3 of 4 | 12 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 14 of 23 | 60% | 11 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 21 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | David Onama | 14 of 18 | 77% | 10 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 10 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 5 of 10 | 50% | 4 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | David Onama | 28 of 70 | 40% | 21 of 61 | 5 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 27 of 69 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 39 of 71 | 54% | 35 of 66 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 37 of 68 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo has a half-unit bet on Jonathan Pearce at -140, beating the line. He attributes the pick solely to wrestling: Pearce is a relentless wrestler who averages almost six takedowns per fight. He believes David Onama, a good kickboxer, will struggle to stop the takedowns, as Nate Landwehr was able to take him down. He notes Pearce dominated his last fight before a submission loss due to showboating, but expects him to dominate here.
Cody picks Onama as an underdog, citing his reach and striking advantage. He notes that judges score damage over control time, and if Onama can get back to his feet after takedowns, he can win rounds with strikes. He sees this as close to a 50/50 fight.
Daniel likes Pearce's high pace, cardio, and improved striking, but notes he's inconsistent and sticks his neck into guillotines. He thinks Pearce can grind out a win via takedowns and top control, but acknowledges Onama's power and heart make him dangerous. He leans Pearce but calls it a dog-or-pass situation.
Pearce has a dominant grappling style and should be able to nullify Onama's power punching by taking him down and keeping him in uncomfortable positions. Onama has shown defensive grappling improvements but may still struggle with Pearce's smothering style. I lean Pearce by decision, but Onama could find a finish late if Pearce slows down.
Paul picks Pearce, arguing his wrestling and top control will be decisive. He notes Pearce's chain wrestling and ability to improve position, and believes Onama's takedown defense is questionable. He expects a grinding decision win for Pearce.
The MMA Guru picks David Onama as an underdog. He criticizes Jonathan Pearce's striking as atrocious and lacking hand-eye coordination. He praises Onama's speed, grappling defense, and cardio, noting his KO of Gabriel Santos and competitive fight with Mason Jones. He predicts Onama will catch Pearce with a straight right in the second or third round for a TKO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 14 of 16 | 87% | 81 of 96 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 6:15 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 8 of 20 | 40% | 33 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:58 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joanderson Brito | 0 | 12 of 14 | 85% | 43 of 48 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 2:28 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 8 of 19 | 42% | 21 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:58 | |
| 2 | Joanderson Brito | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 38 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:47 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 12 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanderson Brito | 14 of 16 | 87% | 6 of 6 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 7 of 8 | 4 of 4 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 8 of 20 | 40% | 4 of 15 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joanderson Brito | 12 of 14 | 85% | 4 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 7 of 8 | 2 of 2 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 8 of 19 | 42% | 4 of 14 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 4 | |
| 2 | Joanderson Brito | 2 of 2 | 100% | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pearce (-130), Brito (+110)
Round 1
A potentially violent featherweight encounter rounds out this long preliminary slate. Winner of five straight, “JSP” Pearce (14-4, 5-1 UFC) will be in for a fight against the hard-charging Brito (15-3-1, 3-1 UFC). Referee Herb Dean may have his hands full for this one, although there is a sporting glove touch before it begins. Pearce lets loose with a kick to start things off, and Brito slings a right hand in response. Pearce shoots for a takedown, and Brito defends the double with a guillotine choke. Brito turns his foe around and keeps tightly pressed against him, and he starts digging right hands to the body as Pearce shakes his head. Brito lifts Pearce clean off the ground and slams him down, and he instantly lands in side control and starts slugging Pearce in the face with left hands. A bit too excited, Brito jumps over and looks to take a scrambling Pearce’s back, but he falls off the back and lands on his own back. Pearce lines him up for a solid right hand, and he attempts to set up a guillotine choke when Brito fights his way up. Brito clubs Pearce in the temple on the break, and he chases after Pearce throwing haymakers. Pearce responds with a body kick and a double, and Brito stops it and backs himself against the wall. Pearce redoubles his effort to take the fight down, and he is stonewalled but pressing the Brazilian against the wall. Brito slugs Pearce in the belly a few times as they turn one another around while clinched. Pearce claims that Brito grabbed his cup, as Brito tried to defend from a takedown. Pearce falls to his back in search of an armbar, and Brito stacks Pearce up to break out of the submission setup. “JSP” hunts for a triangle, and Brito lifts him up and slams him down to stop that as well. Pearce jumps back to his feet and looks for a takedown, and he sneaks in two uppercuts and dodges a windmilling right hand before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pearce
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Pearce
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Pearce
Round 2
The fists are bumped, and Pearce dives forward to hit a single in the opening seconds. Pearce lands on half guard and starts slamming down elbows. Pearce steps over into mount for a moment, and Brito bucks and fights off an arm-triangle set up to drag Pearce back to guard. Brito twists and bucks, but Pearce gladly grinds on his opponent to wear him down. “JSP” continues holding Brito down, landing sporadic shots, and the two start talking to one another. Pearce tells him to get up and do something, and Brito tries to explode out but his power is not what it was in the previous round. Pearce rides and lands right hands, and Brito laughs at him for his feeble strikes while irritated he is being held down. Brito scoots his way to the wall on one knee, and he works his way up.
Out of nowhere, “Tubarao” snatches up a ninja choke with his back still against the wall, and it is shockingly tight. Pearce falls to his side to wriggle out, and Brito cranks down hard on it with his chest pressed tightly. Pearce starts tapping as Brito completes the submission
, and the stunning comeback has been completed by the powerhouse Brazilian.
The Official Result
Joanderson Brito def. Jonathan Pearce R2 3:54 via Submission (Ninja Choke)
Angelo picks Jonathan Pearce, citing his insane wrestling pressure and ability to take down Joanderson Brito. He notes Brito is a dangerous striker but expects Pearce to dive at legs immediately. He expresses some hesitation due to the Grant Dawson knockout, but still picks Pearce.
Big Brady calls this his favorite fight on the card. He thinks Brito is very live for a first-round knockout or submission because Pearce is very hitable and leaves himself in bad spots on the mat. He notes Pearce has great pressure and cardio but Brito has power and submission skills. He predicts Brito wins by first-round knockout, but acknowledges if it goes to the second round, Pearce takes over.
Cody picks Joanderson Brito as a slight underdog, calling it a 50/50 fight. He notes Brito's power and physicality, and believes he can catch Pearce with something. He acknowledges Pearce's wrestling and cardio but thinks Brito's power and submission threat early make him the value play.
Brito is a relentless pressure fighter who doesn't give opponents room to breathe. He has good takedown defense and gets back to his feet quickly. Pearce is a wrestler who may get takedowns early, but Brito's ability to scramble and return to striking will break Pearce. Brito will land big punches and eventually find a knockout in the third round.
Paul also picks Brito, citing his power and the danger he poses early. He notes that Pearce has been hurt before and Brito hits hard. Paul thinks Brito's submission threat, especially a guillotine, is real early. He sees this as a dog or pass and takes the plus money.
The MMA Guru picks Joanderson Brito to finish Jonathan Pearce in round one. He criticizes Pearce's competition and notes that Pearce struggled against Darren Elkins, Makwan Amirkhani, and Christian Rodriguez. He highlights Brito's finishing potential with first-round wins over Lucas Alexander, Andre Fili, and Weston Wilson, and believes Brito's run will continue.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 57 of 193 | 29% | 67 of 203 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Darren Elkins | 0 | 110 of 222 | 49% | 154 of 276 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 0 | 1 | 3:33 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 11 of 57 | 19% | 14 of 60 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Darren Elkins | 0 | 30 of 64 | 46% | 35 of 70 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:42 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 15 of 47 | 31% | 22 of 54 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Darren Elkins | 0 | 44 of 68 | 64% | 74 of 106 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 2:29 | |
| 3 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 31 of 89 | 34% | 31 of 89 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Darren Elkins | 0 | 36 of 90 | 40% | 45 of 100 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 57 of 193 | 29% | 47 of 176 | 9 of 15 | 1 of 2 | 49 of 177 | 8 of 16 | 0 of 0 |
| Darren Elkins | 110 of 222 | 49% | 80 of 188 | 18 of 22 | 12 of 12 | 66 of 159 | 14 of 20 | 30 of 43 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 11 of 57 | 19% | 9 of 51 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 55 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Darren Elkins | 30 of 64 | 46% | 16 of 47 | 11 of 14 | 3 of 3 | 21 of 51 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 8 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 15 of 47 | 31% | 14 of 43 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 10 of 37 | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Darren Elkins | 44 of 68 | 64% | 37 of 61 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 13 of 27 | 8 of 10 | 23 of 31 | |
| 3 | Jonathan Pearce | 31 of 89 | 34% | 24 of 82 | 6 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 29 of 85 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Darren Elkins | 36 of 90 | 40% | 27 of 80 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 32 of 81 | 2 of 5 | 2 of 4 |
Angelo picks Jonathan Pearce, trusting him to wrestle early and use his power and grappling. He notes Pearce is a good size favorite and should be, but expresses concern that Pearce was taken down three times in his last fight, and Darren Elkins will be looking for takedowns. He believes Pearce needs to grapple first and not wait for Elkins, otherwise Elkins could control the fight and win a decision.
Big Brady picks Pearce, citing his youth (eight years younger) and less wear and tear. He notes both fighters have similar styles but Pearce has better cardio and takedown ability. He expects Pearce to win a decision, though he acknowledges Elkins is tough and could have moments.
Cody picks Pearce, seeing it as a passing of the torch. He notes Pearce's wrestling and pace, and Elkins' age and damage. He thinks Pearce will win by decision or late finish.
Connor picks Jonathan Pearce, agreeing that Elkins is declining and that Pearce is too young and athletic. He notes that Pearce won't be afraid to grapple and is a giant at featherweight, making it a bad matchup for Elkins.
Daniel Levi picks Jonathan Pearce, calling it a passing of the torch. He notes Pearce's wrestling, cardio, and output, and believes Elkins' damage over the years is a factor. He is not betting at the heavy price but is confident in the pick.
The host is confident in Pearce, calling it a horrible matchup for Elkins. He thinks Pearce's speed, power, and youth will overwhelm Elkins early. He expects a first-round finish and likes the under 2.5 rounds at minus 135 as a steal. He notes that Pearce has all the advantages except heart, which won't be enough for Elkins.
Paul picks Elkins hesitantly, thinking the price is too wide. He notes Elkins' durability and pace, and Pierce's questionable cardio. He likes Elkins by decision at +800 as a sprinkle.
The MMA Guru picks Jonathan Pearce as a lock of the card, citing Darren Elkins' decline in speed and performance. He notes Elkins has looked slower in recent fights and that Pearce is a tough, momentum-driven fighter who has been melting opponents. He predicts a dominant decision or late TKO for Pearce.
Zane picks Jonathan Pearce, stating that Elkins is in decline and has been toughing out wins against lesser competition. He notes that Pearce is younger, bigger, and won't crumble; he will play his own game rather than being drawn into Elkins' strengths.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 11 of 22 | 50% | 12 of 23 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
| Makwan Amirkhani | 0 | 90 of 112 | 80% | 144 of 178 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 0 | 0 | 4:46 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 7 of 12 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
| Makwan Amirkhani | 0 | 46 of 51 | 90% | 61 of 67 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:39 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 5 of 11 | 45% | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Makwan Amirkhani | 0 | 44 of 61 | 72% | 83 of 111 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:07 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 11 of 22 | 50% | 9 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Makwan Amirkhani | 90 of 112 | 80% | 75 of 94 | 11 of 14 | 4 of 4 | 16 of 28 | 37 of 37 | 37 of 47 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 6 of 11 | 54% | 4 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Makwan Amirkhani | 46 of 51 | 90% | 43 of 47 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 7 | 37 of 37 | 6 of 7 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 5 of 11 | 45% | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Makwan Amirkhani | 44 of 61 | 72% | 32 of 47 | 9 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 13 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 31 of 40 |
Angelo picks Jonathan Pearce, noting it's a grappler vs grappler matchup and it will come down to who shoots first. He believes Pearce will initiate the takedowns and has a high pace. He mentions Amirkhani just submitted a better wrestler in Mike Grundy, and all of Pearce's losses are grappling-based, so he suggests a live bet on Amirkhani if he gets early takedowns.
Big Brady picks Makwan Amirkhani for the upset by early submission. He likes Jonathan Pearce's style but notes Pearce often gets in bad spots on the mat. Amirkhani has dangerous submissions and good wrestling. However, Amirkhani's cardio is a concern; if he doesn't finish in round one, Pearce takes over. He suggests a live bet on Pearce if Amirkhani doesn't finish round one.
Cody picks Makwan Amirkhani, agreeing the line is fraudulent. He notes Pearce's striking defense is poor and he almost got submitted in his last fight. Cody thinks Amirkhani is dangerous early and can submit Pearce if he shoots. He also notes Amirkhani has good wrestling and could take Pearce down. Cody likes the moneyline at +170.
Daniel Levi picks Jonathan Pearce, emphasizing his high pace and ability to put up large strike and takedown numbers. He acknowledges that Amirkhani is dangerous in the first round with his wrestling and submissions, but notes that Amirkhani gasses out due to health issues. Levi believes if Pearce can survive the first round, his pace will be too much in the later rounds.
Pearce has the striking advantage, overall MMA advantage, and cardio advantage. Amirkhani's only threat is the anaconda choke. Pearce's team will have him prepared. Pearce can finish later or win a decision. I might pull the trigger at -200.
Paul picks Makwan Amirkhani at +170, calling it a dogger pass. He thinks the line is off and the fight is closer to 50-50. Paul notes Pearce's cardio looked poor in his last fight and that Amirkhani is dangerous on the ground. He believes if Pearce takes Amirkhani down, he'll be in trouble. Paul also likes Amirkhani by submission at +350.
The MMA Guru picks Makwan Amirkhani as an underdog, noting he always likes him but often loses when picking him. He believes Amirkhani is dangerous in the first round with submissions, and Jonathan Pearce leaves himself in bad positions during scrambles. Pearce's pressure and cardio are good, but his technical scrambles are not. The Guru expects an anaconda choke finish early.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 18 of 44 | 40% | 59 of 102 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 2 | 0 | 11:17 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 0 | 26 of 60 | 43% | 38 of 77 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 3 | 1 | 1:05 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 5 of 12 | 41% | 17 of 36 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:23 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 0 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 11 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:06 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 8 of 20 | 40% | 34 of 50 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 3:15 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 0 | 14 of 32 | 43% | 14 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 1 | 0:14 | |
| 3 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 5 of 12 | 41% | 8 of 16 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 2 | 0 | 3:39 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 0 | 9 of 18 | 50% | 13 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:45 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 18 of 44 | 40% | 9 of 31 | 5 of 9 | 4 of 4 | 10 of 33 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 5 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 26 of 60 | 43% | 21 of 54 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 55 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 5 of 12 | 41% | 1 of 7 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 3 of 10 | 30% | 0 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 8 of 20 | 40% | 3 of 13 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 6 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 14 of 32 | 43% | 12 of 30 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Jonathan Pearce | 5 of 12 | 41% | 5 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 9 of 18 | 50% | 9 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
In another fight featuring a more established fighter against a UFC newcomer, Pearce (11-4, 2-1 UFC) will welcome “CeeRod” Rodriguez (7-0, 0-0 UFC) to the organization. On the one hand, “JSP” has not gone the distance in any of his eight fights, and on the other, Rodriguez celebrates a finish rate of 86%. It’s not likely this will make it into the hands of the judges, and referee Jason Herzog is ready for where the fight takes them. The featherweights do not bothering to touch gloves, and want to get after it right away. Both men land strikes from a distance to test one another, and Pearce sits down with a left hand before shooting in to put Rodriguez on the defensive early. Rodriguez keeps himself upright on the first attempt, and he sneaks in a knee when Pearce presses him to the wall heavily. Pearce gives him several knees back, and he looks to throw the newcomer to the ground but cannot quite get Rodriguez to the mat – possibly thanks to Rodriguez grabbing the cage with his toes. Pearce redoubles his effort for a takedown, and as soon as they hit the ground, “CeeRod” locks him down with a nasty guillotine choke. Rodriguez wraps his legs around Pearce’s waist, and Pearce slowly, methodically works his neck out of this dangerous choke. Rodriguez scrambles, but in the process, he gives up his back, and Pearce is quick to snatch on to it. Rodriguez twists through to not surrender dominant position, but “JSP” rolls through it to get a hook around the side of Rodriguez’ legs. The scrambles are wild and frantic, and even when Pearce holds a body lock, he cannot quite assume full back control. Pearce begins to soften his foe up with punches and elbows, and he holds on to an arm-triangle choke when Rodriguez tries to turn into top position. Rodriguez falls to his back after the ground exchange, with Pearce holding on tight, and the round concludes in this posture.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pearce
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Pearce
Round 2
The round begins with Pearce coming out aggressively, but Rodriguez is there to greet him with powerful punches. Pearce jumps in the air with a knee, and Rodriguez intercepts him and tags him with a few shots. The strikes force “JSP” to shoot for a takedown, and it get stuffed in his first try. Rodriguez backs Pearce off with his hands, checking a leg kick and stalking him down. His forward momentum gets used against him, as Pearce manages to hit a takedown when Rodriguez is off-balance. Pearce resumes the strange quasi-back control position he held in the end of the round, and he looks to turn it to a twister. “CeeRod” bucks and twists to get out of this precarious position, and he fights his way back to his feet. Pearce threatens with a standing rear-naked choke, and he bails on it so that he can turn about and slam Rodriguez in the face with a jump knee. In the ensuing scramble, Rodriguez attacks with an armbar, and they fall to the mat. “JSP” slides his elbow out of the bad spot and wrenches his arm free, and as soon as they get to their knees, Pearce is on him with a takedown. Pearce manages to climb on top in search of an arm-triangle choke, and he abandons it when Rodriguez turns so that he can slug him in the face. Rodriguez sits up, but Pearce will not give him any space, as he takes Rodriguez’ back and assumes back control. Pearce fishes for a rear-naked choke but he cannot get his hooks in, and this allows Rodriguez to pop back up to his knees. Pearce follows him until he slides out the back door, and he lets Pearce up so that he can drill him with a heavy salvo of punches. Pearce winces but backs away against the fence to make it to Round 3.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pearce
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Pearce
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Pearce
Round 3
To start off the final round, Rodriguez comes out firing, possibly aware that he is down on the scorecards. He tees off on Pearce with a few right hands, and he catches Pearce with a right hand when “JSP” attacks with a flying knee. Pearce falls forward into a takedown, and Rodriguez reverses him and goes after a rear-naked choke. The scramble is furious and fast-pace, and Rodriguez manages to take Pearce’s back as Pearce may be fading from two rounds of heavy grappling. Rodriguez clings to him with a body triangle, and Pearce still stands up. Rodriguez drills him in the face with a blistering elbow, and Pearce is wobbled badly and staggers back to the cage wall. “CeeRod” will not let him off the hook, giving chase and tagging Pearce with a few more punches. Hurt but not out, Pearce ducks down for a double-leg takedown, and he grounds Rodriguez to save his own chin. Rodriguez tries and ultimately fails to scramble, but he fights out of a submission attempt or two that Pearce sets up as he looks to secure Rodriguez’ back. Pearce successfully gets a hook around the waist with his leg, disallowing Rodriguez to turn towards him. Pearce uses this position to hunt for an arm-triangle choke from the back, and Rodriguez turns to his knees to break the grip but cannot get Pearce off of him. “JSP” locks on to a rear-naked choke, and Rodriguez successfully holds it off with wrist control and turns to try to stand up. Pearce wrangles him back down to the ground, making Rodriguez’ life miserable with ground control and back takes. Pearce nearly slides off the top, but he rejiggers himself to claim full mount briefly and hang on tight to the back when Rodriguez turns. Pearce rides out the position to the end of the fight.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pearce (30-27 Pearce)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Pearce (29-28 Pearce)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Pearce (30-27 Pearce)
The Official Result
Jonathan Pearce def. Christian Rodriguez via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Big Brady picks Jonathan Pearce despite being high on Rodriguez. He notes Rodriguez is coming up a weight class on short notice, which is a huge disadvantage against a pressure wrestler like Pearce. He predicts Pearce will break Rodriguez with his pace and get a second or third round finish.
Cody is very confident in Pearce, calling him a potential parlay piece. He notes that Rodriguez is taking the fight on short notice, is young and inexperienced, and comes from a kickboxing gym with poor grappling. Cody highlights Pearce's dominant performances at 145, where he ragdolls opponents with takedowns and ground-and-pound. He believes Pearce will press Rodriguez against the cage, take him down, and finish him.
Levi picks Pearce, citing his size (6' at featherweight), relentless pace, and takedown volume. He notes that Rodriguez is talented but too small for featherweight and that Pearce's style of constant pressure and grappling will break him. Levi acknowledges Rodriguez's bright future but believes this is a tough matchup for him.
Pearce has a significant size and strength advantage, with a 5-inch height edge. He will likely implement a takedown-heavy game plan, and Rodriguez is making a short-notice debut at a weight class not his own. Pearce's blueprint from training partners and his own grappling should lead to a finish inside the distance. Pearce inside distance is the pick.
Paul picks Pearce, agreeing that he deserves to be the biggest favorite on the card. He notes that Pearce's pace and strength at 145 are overwhelming, and that Rodriguez is a short-notice replacement with no notable wins. Paul thinks Pearce will use his size and wrestling to dominate.
The MMA Guru picks Jonathan Pearce to win by third-round rear-naked choke. He questions Christian Rodriguez's level of competition, noting his last opponent was 19-36 and that his record looks padded. He believes Pearce's grappling will be too much for Rodriguez, as Pearce has proven himself against better competition and will take Rodriguez into deep waters.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 12 of 35 | 34% | 55 of 83 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 1 | 0 | 5:33 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 12 of 25 | 48% | 27 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 2 | 0:19 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 10 of 29 | 34% | 28 of 48 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 0 | 0 | 2:22 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 11 of 21 | 52% | 21 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:08 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 27 of 35 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 3:11 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:11 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 12 of 35 | 34% | 9 of 28 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 3 | 11 of 33 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 12 of 25 | 48% | 9 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 18 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 10 of 29 | 34% | 7 of 22 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 3 | 10 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 11 of 21 | 52% | 8 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 15 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 2 of 6 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Omar Morales, citing his strong kickboxing, solid takedown defense, and forward pressure. He notes that Morales' only loss is to Giga Chikadze, which looks better after Giga's recent win. Angelo believes Morales' striking and ability to control the cage will be key, and he expects a stoppage win.
Big Brady picks Omar Morales to win by first-round knockout. He notes that Jonathan Pierce is very hittable and relies on his chin, while Morales has good takedown defense and is a black belt in BJJ. He believes Morales can take advantage of Pierce's sloppy striking and potentially finish him early, though he acknowledges Pierce's cardio could be a factor if the fight goes longer.
Cody picks Pearce as an underdog, citing his volume, pace, cardio, and wrestling. He notes Morales' low output and questions his power at UFC level. He worries about Morales' calf kicks but believes Pearce's pressure will overwhelm Morales over three rounds.
Daniel Levi picks Omar Morales because he believes Morales can slow the pace and fight at his own methodical rhythm. He notes that Jonathan Pearce absorbs too many strikes (upwards of seven per minute) and that Morales has a solid wrestling base and is in his prime at 35. Levi also mentions that Morales addressed medical issues that held him back previously, and expects a finish or decision win.
Jacob picks Jonathan Pearce, citing his wrestling, pace, and a quote from Pearce: 'I've never seen a striker out wrestle a wrestler.' Jacob believes Pearce will get takedowns and wear down Omar Morales. He also notes that Pearce has already beaten Morales once before.
The host believes Omar Morales will win via decision. He thinks Morales has a much more hard-nosed striking style that will march down Jonathan Pierce. He expects Pierce to struggle to close the distance and land takedowns due to the heavy onslaught from Morales. He notes that Pierce's grappling success is necessary for him to win, but he doubts Pierce can break Morales.
Paul does not have a clear pick. He is staying away from this fight, noting he has been burned by Pearce before (the Joe Lauzon loss). He respects others who like Morales but has no edge.
The MMA Guru picks Omar Morales over Jonathan Pearce, citing Morales' composed striking and takedown defense. He notes that Morales' only loss is to Giga Chikadze, which has aged well, and that Pearce, while looking good against Kaikamaka, is not at Morales' level. He expects Morales to win a unanimous decision, as he doesn't see the fight hitting the ground and believes Morales is a more versatile and dangerous striker.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 51 of 100 | 51% | 113 of 172 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 1 | 0 | 3:26 |
| Kai Kamaka III | 0 | 47 of 83 | 56% | 48 of 84 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 | 1 | 0:33 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 22 of 55 | 40% | 23 of 56 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
| Kai Kamaka III | 0 | 35 of 64 | 54% | 36 of 65 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:11 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 29 of 45 | 64% | 90 of 116 | 4 of 4 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:51 |
| Kai Kamaka III | 0 | 12 of 19 | 63% | 12 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 1 | 0:22 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 51 of 100 | 51% | 34 of 76 | 12 of 19 | 5 of 5 | 27 of 71 | 6 of 9 | 18 of 20 |
| Kai Kamaka III | 47 of 83 | 56% | 20 of 51 | 20 of 25 | 7 of 7 | 44 of 79 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 22 of 55 | 40% | 10 of 37 | 9 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 19 of 51 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Kai Kamaka III | 35 of 64 | 54% | 13 of 37 | 15 of 20 | 7 of 7 | 35 of 64 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 29 of 45 | 64% | 24 of 39 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 20 | 3 of 5 | 18 of 20 |
| Kai Kamaka III | 12 of 19 | 63% | 7 of 14 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 15 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
Expert Picks (9)
Angelo picks Jonathan Pearce, citing his relentless wrestling pressure and awareness of Sabatini's jiu-jitsu. He notes that Sabatini hasn't improved his skills since entering the UFC and that Pearce's non-stop takedown attempts will be key. Angelo also thinks Pearce can have success on the feet, as Sabatini's striking is technical but lacks head movement. He mentions he placed a half-unit bet on Pearce at -131.
Big Brady picks Jonathan Pearce to win by TKO in the second round. He considers this one of his favorite fights on the card, noting both have paths: Sabatini via submission (Pearce has been submitted three times), but Pearce via knockout (Sabatini has been knocked out by Diego Lopes, Damon Jackson, and dropped by Jamall Emmers). He worries about Sabatini's durability and cardio, and believes Pearce's pace will break him down. Despite Pearce potentially getting into bad spots, Brady trusts his ability to fight out of them.
Connor agrees with Zane, noting that Pearce's striking is all fencing and he cannot keep opponents down. He points out that Pearce lost to David Onama despite having control time, and that Sabatini is a better grappler who can win if he gets top position. Connor is surprised Sabatini is the underdog.
This fight was not discussed in the transcript. No picks were made.
Daniel thinks Pearce is more well-rounded and has better volume on the feet, but he acknowledges Sabatini's grinding wrestling and durability. He is not confident because Sabatini could easily grind out a win. Daniel leans toward Pearce to outwork him but admits he wouldn't be surprised by a Sabatini decision.
Pearce is on a two-fight losing streak but looked good in his last fight against David Onama even in defeat. He should use defensive grappling to keep the fight standing and put a pace on Sabatini, who is uncomfortable in the striking realm. Pearce will keep it upright, push the pace, and finish Sabatini in the second or third round.
The MMA Guru picks Pat Sabatini, highlighting his technical grappling edge over Jonathan Pearce. He notes that Pearce is tough with good cardio but makes mistakes in grappling, often losing position. Sabatini has good submissions and control, and the Guru believes he can submit Pearce. He acknowledges Pearce could TKO Sabatini due to a suspect chin, but favors Sabatini's grappling.
Zane thinks Sabatini will win because he is a more willing and confident striker, though both are stiff. He notes Sabatini has paid for trying to do other things and will just go for takedowns. Zane points out that Pearce has poor control time (23%) and cannot keep opponents down, while Sabatini has 52% control time. He believes Sabatini can get takedowns and win on the ground.
This fight was not discussed in the transcript. No picks were made.
Comments (1)
A slight failed single leg takedown to swift back take. Rode the shack off standing up. Punches. Shook off kept the grip. On him like glue. Got the feet tucked in like Khabib against. Hands behind the head rear naked choke!
sab is 30 for the heel hook