Pat Sabatini: FURY Professional Grappling title will help cement status as best UFC featherweight grappler
Sabatini faces fellow Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Joe Solecki on Friday, May 23, with inaugural title on line.
A former two-time titleholder at Cage Fury Fighting Championships, Pat Sabatini knows a thing or two about competing in the CFFC cage, but the fast-rising UFC featherweight contender has also proven himself a threat on the FURY Professional Grappling mats, as well, going 5-0 in appearances scheduled between his octagon exploits.
So when an opportunity came up to headline FURY Professional Grappling 13 and compete for the promotion's inaugural title at 170 pounds, Sabatini didn't hesitate for a moment, even if the announcement was made just two weeks after his latest UFC win.
"An object in motion stays in motion," Sabatini said. "Just gotta keep moving, keep going, keep staying active, because when you stay ready, you don't have to get ready."
It's a strategy that has certainly worked for Sabatini in recent times. Since a disappointing November 2023 loss to recent UFC title challenger Diego Lopes, Sabatini has picked up UFC wins over Jonathan Pearce and Joanderson Brito, as well as claiming FURY Professional Grappling victories over Niko Price, Andrew Kochel, Herbert Burns and Peter Fazekas.
Not a bad haul over the course of 17 months, and when the latest invite was offered, the answer was a given.
"I'm always excited to put on a show for FURY Grappling," Sabatini said. "CFFC has become the best regional promotion in the world, and FURY Grappling is just getting bigger and bigger with every show, and I'm just grateful to be a part of it."
Sabatini will face fellow UFC and CFFC veteran Joe Solecki in the headlining match at FURY Professional Grappling 13, which streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on Friday, May 23 and serves as part of a blockbuster weekend on the historic Atlantic City Boardwalk that also features CFFC 142 the following night.
Sabatini said he's a little surprised he and Solecki have never competed against each other before given their shared CFFC lineage but that he's looking forward to the challenge.
"He's a great grappler," Sabatini said of Solecki. "I've known the name for a long time. I'm actually surprised that it took this long for our paths to cross, but I've seen him tear it up in the UFC. I've seen him do great in CFFC, and I think this is just a spectacular matchup.
"I think we're going to put on a great show."
The winner will walk away with the inaugural FURY Professional Grappling welterweight title, a belt that would look nice in Sabatini's trophy case alongside the two championships he won in his MMA run with the organization. But Sabatini said the belt will have more significance to him than as simply a token of his accomplishment against Solecki.
Sabatini wants to stand out among his peers in the UFC's featherweight division.
"It would mean the world to me," Sabatini said of winning the title. "I've always loved competing under the CFFC banner, and this is something I've always wanted. I love to grapple.
"I want to stamp my name as the best grappler in my division in the UFC, and I think this is part of that, for sure, so it's very important to me."
Sabatini will have his shot on May 23, capping off a stacked lineup that includes two championship contests, an intriguing single-night, four-woman tournament, the promotional debut of a former UFC champion in Chris Weidman, and much more. Coupled with FURY Professional Grappling's high-energy, fast-paced production, and it should be a night to remember.
Sabatini promises to end the event in style.
"I honestly think it's going to be – from start to finish – nonstop action," Sabatini said. "You're going to see two of the best grapplers in the UFC go at it head to head for the CFFC title. I could promise you it's not something you're going to want to miss."
