What Happened to Patrick Daniel Sabatini?
Pat Sabatini is an American mixed martial artist competing in the UFC Featherweight division, renowned for his elite grappling and submission prowess. After overcoming a severe arm injury in 2020 and a minor knee procedure in 2024, he has successfully rebuilt his career, currently riding a three-fight winning streak in the UFC and is scheduled to fight William Gomis on May 9, 2026.
Quick Answer
Pat Sabatini is an active UFC Featherweight fighter with a professional MMA record of 21-5-0 as of May 9, 2026. He is known for his strong wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu background, which he utilizes to control opponents and secure submissions. After overcoming a severe arm injury in 2020 and a minor knee procedure in 2024, Sabatini has achieved a three-fight winning streak in the UFC and is scheduled to face William Gomis at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Born in Bristol, Pennsylvania
Patrick Daniel Sabatini was born in Bristol, Pennsylvania, where he would later begin his martial arts journey.
Professional MMA Debut
Sabatini made his professional mixed martial arts debut at CFFC 35, securing a first-round submission victory.
Suffers Severe Arm Injury at CFFC 81
During a CFFC Featherweight Championship defense against James Gonzalez, Sabatini suffered a dislocated elbow after refusing to tap to an arm lock, a moment that garnered significant attention.
Withdraws from CFFC 83 due to COVID-19
After recovering from his arm injury, Sabatini was forced to withdraw from a scheduled fight at CFFC 83 after contracting COVID-19, experiencing mild symptoms.
Reclaims CFFC Featherweight Championship
Sabatini returned to win the vacant CFFC Featherweight title by submitting Jesse Stirn via armbar in the second round at CFFC 91.
Scheduled UFC Debut Cancelled
Sabatini was set to make his UFC debut against Rafael Alves, but the fight was canceled when Alves missed weight by a significant margin.
Official UFC Debut and Performance of the Night
Sabatini made his official UFC debut, submitting Jamall Emmers via heel hook in the first round and earning a Performance of the Night bonus.
Knockout Loss to Diego Lopes at UFC 295
Sabatini suffered a first-round knockout loss to Diego Lopes at UFC 295, a significant setback in his UFC career.
Minor Knee Procedure and Mental Adjustment
Sabatini underwent a minor knee procedure for a torn meniscus and began working with the UFC Performance Institute's Sports Psychology Team to improve his mental approach to fighting.
Returns to Win Column against Jonathan Pearce
Sabatini rebounded from his previous loss with a first-round rear-naked choke submission victory over Jonathan Pearce at UFC Fight Night 244.
Unanimous Decision Win over Joanderson Brito
Continuing his winning streak, Sabatini defeated Joanderson Brito via unanimous decision at UFC on ESPN 65.
Defeats Chepe Mariscal in Rematch at UFC 322
Sabatini secured his third consecutive UFC win by defeating Chepe Mariscal via unanimous decision at UFC 322, avenging an earlier regional loss.
Scheduled Fight against William Gomis at UFC 328
Pat Sabatini is scheduled to face William Gomis in a Featherweight bout at UFC 328 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Patrick Daniel Sabatini, born November 9, 1990, in Bristol, Pennsylvania, has carved out a significant career in mixed martial arts, primarily known for his dominant grappling and submission skills. His journey began with early training in Tang Soo Do and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, complemented by NCAA Division I wrestling at Rider University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Sabatini turned professional in 2014, building a formidable reputation in regional promotions like Cage Fury Fighting Championships (CFFC). He became a two-time CFFC Featherweight Champion, showcasing his ability to control and submit opponents. A pivotal moment in his early career occurred on February 1, 2020, when he suffered a gruesome dislocated elbow during a title defense against James Gonzalez at CFFC 81, an injury that looked far worse than it was and from which he made a remarkably quick recovery. Despite this setback and a subsequent withdrawal from a fight due to COVID-19 later that year, Sabatini reclaimed the CFFC title in December 2020.
His impressive regional run led to his signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2021. His official UFC debut saw him secure a first-round submission victory over Jamall Emmers, earning him a Performance of the Night bonus. While his UFC tenure has seen both highs and lows, including knockout losses to Damon Jackson in September 2022 and Diego Lopes in November 2023, Sabatini has consistently demonstrated his resilience and grappling dominance.
A key turning point in his recent career came after his loss to Diego Lopes. In March 2024, Sabatini underwent a minor knee procedure for a torn meniscus and sought assistance from the UFC Performance Institute's Sports Psychology Team to address mental hurdles. This period marked a renewed focus and a more relaxed approach to his fighting career. Since then, he has embarked on a three-fight winning streak, defeating Jonathan Pearce via submission in October 2024, Joanderson Brito by unanimous decision in April 2025, and Chepe Mariscal by unanimous decision in a rematch at UFC 322 in November 2025.
As of May 9, 2026, Pat Sabatini holds a professional record of 21 wins and 5 losses. He is scheduled to face William Gomis at UFC 328 in Newark, New Jersey, on this very day. This fight represents another opportunity for Sabatini, who has expressed his desire to enter the Featherweight rankings, to showcase his world-class grappling against a tough opponent.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Patrick Daniel Sabatini made different choices?