In a dangerous sport like mixed martial arts, giving up is sometimes the right choice to make.
However, some fighters won’t simply do so, just like the case of Cage Fury Fighting Championships featherweight titlist, Pat Sabatini.
Attempting to retain his title, the defending champion locked horns with short-notice challenger James Gonzales in the main event of CFFC 81 in Bensalem, Pennsylvania this past Saturday.
Sabatini (11-3) was considered as the heavy favorite to win the match but his challenger had other plans as Gonzales went on to pull off an upset in a brutal fashion.
In a battle in the ground, Gonzales got his legs around the champion’s neck before grabbing and breaking his right arm by bending it backwards.
Despite the gruesome injury, Sabatini did not tap out.
The referee immediately stopped the fight after seeing Sabitini’s broken arm.
Watch the sequence below:
Yikes. #CFFC81 pic.twitter.com/KLwGE4ggkn
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) February 2, 2020
Not Messing Around
In the post-fight interview, the newly-crowned featherweight champ wishes Sabitini a speedy recovery, following the injury.
“First, I would like to say I wish that didn’t happen. I wish he could have tapped and saved his arm from breaking like that,” Gonzales said, (via MMA Junkie).
“I respect Pat Sabatini. He’s been on the circuit with me since I started, and I always thought I was going to fight him sooner.”
“But we fought him tonight, and this is what happened. But I wish him a speedy recovery.”
After winning the 135-pound strap, Gonzales now sets his sights on competing at Dana White Contender Series with a goal to put on a good show inside the cage.
“I’ve been trying to get fights as much as possible. It’s really hard to find guys who want to fight me, in either weight class, and I guess you guys saw why.”
“But I just want to say I’m happy for the opportunity for CFFC. I’d love to get a shot at that 135-pound belt, too, because I’m not messing around, guys. I do this because I love it.”
“I took this fight on six days’ notice. I had the flu. I still came through and did what I had to do.”
“If I don’t get that 135-pound shot, I wouldn’t mind getting on that Contender Series in the summer.”
“Give me some good fights. I’m here to put on a show.”
James Gonzalez is the new CFFC featherweight champion. He defeats Pat Sabatini by submission in the first round via umaplata. What a way to cap off a great night of fights. #CFFC81 pic.twitter.com/EolCEVoEIN
— ParryPunchMMA (@ParryPunchMMA) February 2, 2020
Check out the full results from the CFFC 81 Fight Card below (via My MMA News):
Main Card
James Gonzalez def. Pat Sabatini via TKO (injury) to become featherweight champion – Round 1, 0:46
Kyle Daukaus def. Nolan Norwood via submission (D’arce choke) to retain middleweight title – Round 2, 4:36
Herbeth Sousa def. Alexander Keshtov via unanimous decision (40-36 x3) – bantamweight title now vacant with Sousa weight miss
Nazim Sadykhov def. Elijah Harris via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-27)
Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Gabriella Gulfin via TKO – Round 1, 1:37
Taylor Pierce def. Christian Santos via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Preliminary Card
Miles Lee def. Sedriques Dumas via unanimous decision
Thomas Majeski def. Bart Pierre via submission – Round 1, 2:52
Kelvin Sterling vs. Christian Robe via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
Sergio Vila def. Jason Viana via submission – Round 2, 1:14
Brooke Fahey def. Kae Doan via submission – Round 1, o:26
Itso Babulaidze def. RJ Seal via submission – Round 3, 1:57
https://twitter.com/UFCFightPass/status/1223002492813709312
(Featured Image Source: Twitter/ UFC Fight Pass)