Reggie Adams was hoping to fight Pat Sabatini – but says maybe he still can

Reggie Adams made his CFFC debut this past September, and it didn't take long for him to formulate some pretty big plans.

Picking up a decision win over Zachary Hicks in his promotional debut, Adams kept his eye on the co-main event that night, when Pat Sabatini scored a destructive knockout of Jordan Titoni.

Sabatini would go on to reclaim the CFFC featherweight title three months later, and Adams couldn't help but think about the possibility of fighting him for the belt.

"That was one fight that I had looked at, and I was like, 'That would be a fight-of-the-night fight if me and him ever fought,'" Adams said. "I was actually looking forward to that, thinking maybe me and him could go at it."

Sabatini got the call to the UFC shortly after, dashing Adams' hope of the matchup – at least for now. Adams hopes to join Sabatini in the UFC in the not-too-distant future, so perhaps they could eventually meet in the octagon, rather than the CFFC cage.

"That would be lovely," Adams said. "Two former CFFC champions tangling in the UFC. That would be great for the organization and the UFC."

If Adams' plans seem ambitious, they are not made without reason. A former wrestling standout, Adams has enjoyed early success in MMA with his grappling base. However, he hasn't been content to stick with that as his lone skillset. After all, Adams isn't just looking for success on the regional level.

"As an amateur, I knew that my wrestling was going to be good enough," Adams said. "It's been good enough as a pro, too, but I knew that I had to think past the local level. I've had a goal to make it to the UFC from the beginning. If you look at those guys, they're complete fighters. They're not just one-trick ponies."

And so Adams has been honing his striking and pressing himself to get better in all areas. Sure, he was victorious in his CFFC debut, but that doesn't mean there aren't places to improve. The result isn't the only measurement.

"Even though I got the win, I wasn't satisfied with my performance, and I walked away from that fight saying I've got to push myself harder," Adams said. "I've got to do better until I'm satisfied with my performance when I'm walking out of the cage, win, lose or draw."

On Friday, Adams (6-2) gets to show his latest evolution when he takes on former CFFC title challenger Jesse Stirn at CFFC 95. The card streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from Philadelphia's 2300 Arena.

"I think it's a great matchup stylistically," Adams said. "I know he's going to push me. I know he's not going to be an easy walk in the park, and I know he's going to be game and ready to fight. He just fought for the belt, so I know cardio-wise, he should be there. I know the whole three rounds that he's going to be there and focused, and he has a statement to make, just like I do.

"He's trying to get back to that belt. I'm trying to make a name for myself so I can get to the belt, so I feel like stylistically, it's a good match. I feel like at this point in my career, it's a good match, and I feel like it's probably going to be the fight of the night."

Should that be the case, Adams could see himself fulfilling his lofty goals sooner rather than later. He knows he can't get ahead of himself, but he also isn't shy about admitting where he's hoping to be.

"I saw the former champ made it to the UFC," Adams said. "Congratulations to him. But seeing as how the belt is vacant, I would love to just win these next couple of fights and work my way to that belt."