Danny Sabatello

Danny Sabatello
Born	(1993-03-31) March 31, 1993 (age 30) Chicago, Illinois, United States
Other names	The Italian Gangster
Nationality	American
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight	135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb)
Division	Bantamweight
Reach	72 in (183 cm) [1]
Fighting out of	Sunrise, Florida, United States
Team	American Top Team
Years active	2018–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total	18
Wins	14
By knockout	3
By submission	5
By decision	6
Losses	4
By knockout	1
By submission	1
By decision	2
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Danny Sabatello (born March 31, 1993) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division of Bellator MMA. As of July 30, 2022, he is #6 in the Bellator Bantamweight Rankings. ^[2]

Background

Coming from a Sicilian family whose roots trace back to Palermo, Danny Sabatello was born in Chicago, Illinois, in the suburb of Long Grove. He graduated from Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois, where he was a two-time Illinois state champion, going 152-19, which included two years at St. Viator High School, He went to wrestle Division I at Purdue University, where his older brothers Joey and Vinny also went. While there, he was a three-time NCAA Championships qualifier at 133 and 141, and a two-time 141-pound Big Ten Championship place-winner. He also become the first Purdue wrestler to twice earn Big Ten Wrestler of the Week honors in his career. ^[3] After finished his college degree in Law and Society with a minor in Organizational Leadership and Supervision, He moved to South Florida after his wrestling career on a whim to become a MMA fighter, eventually landing at American Top Team. ^{[4] [5] [6] [7]}

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Making his MMA debut in 2018, Sabatello submitted Ray Paige in the first round and would go on to defeat his next 4 opponents on the Florida regional scene, 3 by first round stoppages. Making his debut for Titan FC at Titan FC 56, Sabatello defeated Philip Keller via TKO stoppage in the first round. ^[8] He was then given a chance to challenge reigning champ Irwin Rivera at Titan FC 58 on December 20, 2019. ^[9] Sabatello lost the bout via fourth-round technical knockout due to a body punch. ^[10]

Rebounding at Titan FC 56, he submitted Chris Johnson in the third round via arm-triangle choke, and at Titan FC 60, Sabatello was given another chance for the Titan FC Bantamweight Championship against Raymond Ramos, winning the bout and title via rear-naked choke in the first round. ^[11]

After winning the Titan FC title, Sabatello was given a spot on Dana White's Contender Series 35 against Taylor Moore. Despite judges scores of 30-24, 30-25, 30-26 on the road to a unanimous decision victory, Sabatello was not given a UFC contract. ^[12]

Returning to Titan FC, Sabatello faced future UFC fighter Da’mon Blackshear at Titan FC 67, defeating him over five round to defend his title. ^[13]

Bellator MMA

Sabatello, as a replacement for Matheus Mattos, faced Brett Johns on May 21, 2021 at Bellator 259. ^[14] Sabatello won the bout via unanimous decision. ^[15]

Sabatello was expected to face the 34-fight veteran Johnny Campbell on August 13, 2021 at Bellator 264. ^[16] However, the bout was cancelled during fight week due to health and safety protocols, with Sabatello being confirmed to have tested positive for COVID-19. ^{[17] [18]}

Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix

Due to the pull out of two fighters from the Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix due to injuries, a wild card bout between Sabatello and Jornel Lugo was announced for April 22, 2022 at Bellator 278. ^[19] He won the bout in dominant fashion via unanimous decision. ^[20]

After the bout, Sabatello signed a new long term deal with the promotion. ^[21]

Sabatello faced Leandro Higo in the quarter-finals of the Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix at Bellator 282 on June 24, 2022. ^[22] He won the bout via unanimous decision. ^[23] Sabatello was fined $5,000 for abusive language in his post fight speech by the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation. ^[24]

In the semi-finals, Sabatello faced Raufeon Stots for the Interim Bellator Bantamweight World Championship on December 9, 2022 in the main event at Bellator 289. ^[25] He lost the fight via split decision. ^[26]

Post Grand Prix

Sabatello faced Marcos Breno on April 21, 2023 at Bellator 294. ^[27] He won the bout in the second round after wearing Breno down and submitting him with a rear-naked choke. ^{[28] [29]}

Sabatello faced Magomed Magomedov on July 30, 2023 at Bellator MMA x Rizin 2. ^[30] He lost the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the first round. ^[31]

Sabatello rematched Raufeon Stots on November 17, 2023 at Bellator 301. ^[32] In a thrilling bout, Sabatello lost the bout via unanimous decision. ^[33]

Championships and accomplishments

• Titan Fighting Championships
  • Titan FC Bantamweight Championship (one time)
    • One successful title defense

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown

18 matches	14 wins	4 losses
By knockout	3	1
By submission	5	1
By decision	6	2

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Loss	14–4	Raufeon Stots	Decision (unanimous)	Bellator 301	November 17, 2023	3	5:00	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Loss	14–3	Magomed Magomedov	Submission (guillotine choke)	Bellator MMA x Rizin 2	July 30, 2023	1	3:55	Saitama, Japan
Win	14–2	Marcos Breno	Submission (rear-naked choke)	Bellator 294	April 21, 2023	2	4:10	Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Loss	13–2	Raufeon Stots	Decision (split)	Bellator 289	December 9, 2022	5	5:00	Uncasville, Connecticut, United States	Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix Semifinal. For the interim Bellator Bantamweight World Championship.
Win	13–1	Leandro Higo	Decision (unanimous)	Bellator 282	June 24, 2022	5	5:00	Uncasville, Connecticut, United States	Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win	12–1	Jornel Lugo	Decision (unanimous)	Bellator 278	April 22, 2022	3	5:00	Honolulu, Hawaii, United States	Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix Wild Card Qualifier.
Win	11–1	Brett Johns	Decision (unanimous)	Bellator 259	May 21, 2021	3	5:00	Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win	10–1	Da'Mon Blackshear	Decision (unanimous)	Titan FC 67	February 12, 2021	5	5:00	Miami, Florida, United States	Defended the Titan FC Bantamweight Championship.
Win	9–1	Taylor Moore	Decision (unanimous)	Dana White's Contender Series 35	November 10, 2020	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	8–1	Raymond Ramos	Submission (rear-naked choke)	Titan FC 61	June 26, 2020	1	1:56	Miami, Florida, United States	Won the vacant Titan FC Bantamweight Championship.
Win	7–1	Chris Johnson	Submission (arm-triangle choke)	Titan FC 60	May 29, 2020	3	1:54	Miami, Florida, United States
Loss	6–1	Irwin Rivera	TKO (punch to the body)	Titan FC 58	December 20, 2019	4	4:26	Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States	For the Titan FC Bantamweight Championship.
Win	6–0	Philip Keller	TKO (punches)	Titan FC 56	August 23, 2019	1	1:41	Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Win	5–0	Earnest Walls	Submission (rear-naked choke)	War at the Rock 2	June 19, 2019	1	1:34	Hollywood, Florida, United States	Catchweight (140 lb) bout.
Win	4–0	John Barragan	KO	Underground Cage Fighting Championship 3	March 30, 2019	1	2:29	West Palm Beach, Florida, United States
Win	3–0	Jeremias Fernandez	Decision (unanimous)	War at the Rock 1	February 16, 2019	3	5:00	Hollywood, Florida, United States
Win	2–0	Cesar Danny Gonzalez	KO (punch)	Underground Cage Fighting Championship 2	November 17, 2018	1	0:53	West Palm Beach, Florida, United States
Win	1–0	Ray Paige	Submission	Underground Cage Fighting Championship 1	July 21, 2018	1	2:55	West Palm Beach, Florida, United States

^[34]

See also

• List of current Bellator fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists

References

1. "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com.
2. "Bellator Rankings". www.bellator.com. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
3. "Danny Sabatello - Wrestling". Purdue Boilermakers. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
4. Fontana, Scott (2022-06-23). "Danny Sabotello is MMA's Joe Pesci-esque 'Italian Gangster'". New York Post. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
5. "Danny Sabatello: Bellator's New Kid on the Block". Overtime Heroics. 2022-06-23. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
6. Gallo, Ed (2019-12-20). "Wrestling to MMA prospect: Danny Sabatello". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
7. Jim, Varsallone (August 11, 2021). "Covid a setback, but ATT's Danny Sabatello is backing up his words with actions in Bellator MMA". Miami Herald.
8. "Across The Pond Profile: Titan Fighting Championship bantamweight champion Danny Sabatello | MMA UK". 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
9. Hammond, Mick (18 December 2019). "Danny Sabatello Looking To Rack Up Another W In Titan FC 58 Title Fight". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
10. "Titan FC 58 results – Irwin Rivera vs. Danny Sabatello". mymmanews.com. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
11. "Titan FC 60 Results: Cavalcante and Hamed Take the Nods". Combat Press. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
12. Staff (2020-11-10). "DWCS Season 4: Week 9 results: Three win contracts with Natan Levy earning high praise". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
13. "Titan FC 67 results: Danny Sabatello blasts boo-birds after dominant title defense". MMA Junkie. 2021-02-13. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
14. "With Matheus Mattos out, Brett Johns faces Titan FC champ Danny Sabatello at Bellator 259". MMA Junkie. 2021-05-14. Retrieved 2021-05-15.
15. "Bellator 259: Cris Cyborg vs. Leslie Smith 2 live results and highlights". FanSided. 2021-05-21. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
16. MMA Fighting Newswire. "Danny Sabatello vs. Johnny Campbell slated for Bellator 264". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
17. Lee, Alexander K. (2021-08-10). "Danny Sabatello out of Bellator 264 due to positive COVID-19 test". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-08-10.
18. "Danny Sabatello vs. Johnny Campbell, James Adcock vs. Nekruz Mirkhojaev off Friday's Bellator 264". MMA Junkie. 2021-08-10. Retrieved 2021-08-10.
19. "Bellator adds two wild card bouts, four fighters to bantamweight grand prix". MMA Junkie. 2022-03-22. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
20. Anderson, Jay (2022-04-22). "Bellator 278: Danny Sabatello Dominates Jornel Lugo to Lock Up Grand Prix Spot". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
21. jasonburgosmma (2022-05-05). "Bellator gives star prospect Danny Sabatello new multi-fight deal". sportsnaut.com. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
22. Anderson, Jay (2022-03-29). "Bellator: Mousasi vs. Eblen, Bantamweight Grand Prix Quarterfinals Announced for June 24". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
23. Anderson, Jay (2022-06-24). "Bellator 282: Danny Sabatello Grinds Out Leandro Higo, Advances in Bantamweight Grand Prix". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-06-25.
24. Marrocco, Steven (2022-06-27). "Danny Sabatello fined $5,000 for 'abusive language' at Bellator 282". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
25. "Stots-Sabatello, Magomedov-Mix bantamweight semifinals set for Bellator 289 in December". MMA Junkie. 2022-08-29. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
26. Dewar, Val (2022-12-09). "Bellator 289: Raufeon Stots Wins Tight Split Decision Over Danny Sabatello". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-12-10.
27. King, Nolan (2023-03-02). "Danny Sabatello booked for bounce-back attempt at Bellator 294 in Hawaii". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
28. "Danny Sabatello submits Marcos Breno before cutting a fiery promo (Video)". FanSided MMA. 2023-04-22. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
29. Sherdog.com. "Bellator 294 'Carmouche vs. Bennett 2' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
30. "Bellator X RIZIN 2 adds Andrey Koreshkov vs. Lorenz Larkin, Magomed Magomedov vs. Danny Sabtello". MMA Junkie. 2023-06-07. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
31. "【Bellator】ライト級WGPでパトリッキー・ピットブルがサトシをTKO「朝倉未来に感謝」、フライ級王座戦・堀口vs.神龍はノーコンテストに。渡辺華奈がアルテイガに辛勝。..." ゴング格闘技 - GONKAKU. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
32. "Bellator 301 set for Chicago: 2 title fights, including Sergio Pettis vs. Patchy Mix, grand prix semifinal, grudge rematch". MMA Junkie. 2023-09-13. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
33. "Bellator 301 results: Raufeon Stots beats Danny Sabatello in thriller, rubs it in during post-fight interview". MMA Junkie. 2023-11-18. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
34. Sherdog.com. "Danny Sabatello". Sherdog.

External links

• Professional MMA record for Danny Sabatello from Sherdog
• Danny Sabatello at Bellator