CFFC BJJ 15 results: Pat Sabatini, Edwin Ocasio defend titles; Taylor Hishaw claims second belt
Three championship matchups close out thrilling event at Philadelphia's historic 2300 Arena
PHILADELPHIA – Reigning CFFC BJJ welterweight champion Pat Sabatini improved his record to 7-0 on the organization's grappling mats while also retaining his belt with an overtime disqualification win over former world champion wrestler Richie Lewis.
The contest served as the main event of Saturday's CFFC BJJ 15, which streamed live on UFC FIGHT PASS from Philadelphia's 2300 Arena and featured three total championship contests.
Sabatini and Lewis proved well-matched in regulation, where the champion often elected to work from a kneeling position to help nullify the vaunted wrestling attack of the challenger. With Lewis comfortable in defending any submission attacks Sabatini teased, the matchup was a stalemate through the full regulation period.
The action shifted, however, in overtime, when the Golden Score ruleset left Lewis vulnerable in scrambles. Sensing the danger, Lewis elected to scramble to the perimeter of the surface, forcing a restart in the center. When he repeated the strategy a second time, referee Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro called an end to the contest, initially signifying a reversal was the reason for his intervention but later clarifying that Lewis' escapes were the culprit and labeling the result a disqualification.
"I was trying to get him to engage more so I could get on him for the leg entanglements, but he did a great job," Sabatini said after the win. "He's an A+ athlete. He's going to be in the UFC soon, and I hope one day that we could both fight on the same card together."
As for his own UFC plans, currently standing at 3-1 in his past four appearances – and with that one loss to top contender Diego Lopes – Sabatini said he's hoping to get some fight news very soon.
"I'm ready," Sabatini said. "UFC, let's go. My weight's low. I'm in shape. I'm ready to go."
In additional championship action, Junny Ocasio registered the second successful defense of his bantamweight title with a hard-fought submission over Estevan Martinez in a rematch four years in the making.
Ocasio was victorious in that initial meeting, as well, but had to settle for a referee's decision. Martinez again proved to be a stylistic challenge in the rematch with his compact frame and aggressive top game, but this time Ocasio was able to secure the win in overtime via Golden Score with a well-timed sweep.
Afterwards, Ocasio told Michael Chiesa that he was happy with the result and is hoping it's enough for UFC BJJ to give him a look in the very near future.
"I think we did a better job," Ocasio said. "The first time me and Estevan fought, it's honestly like I made all the mistakes. He showed up that day, and I barely won, so for me that's a loss. Coming back into it, when his name dropped in the hat, he's a world champion, a Pan American champion, and I really wanted to dominate.
"UFC BJJ, you already know where I'm at. I'm next up. You know where you've got to put me."
Rounding out the trio of title contests, at just 18 years old, Taylor Hishaw is now a double champion, previously winning the organization's 125-pound title but bumping up to bantamweight and securing that belt with a unanimous decision win over a game Nicole Mathew.
Hishaw used impressive wrestling skills to dominate the positioning and nearly secured a submission at the final bell but was forced to settle for a win on the cards. Afterwards, she also made her call for a future UFC BJJ spot.
"We're on UFC FIGHT PASS – the people who are doing UFC BJJ, you know," Hishaw said.
Complete CFFC BJJ 15 results include:
MAIN CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS)
Pat Sabatini def. Richie Lewis via Disqualification (timidity) – Overtime, 3:51 – to retain welterweight title
Junny Ocasio def. Estevan Martinez via Golden Score (sweep) – Overtime, 2:19 – to retain bantamweight title
Taylor Hishaw def. Nicole Mathew via unanimous decision – to claim inaugural women's bantamweight title
Elder Cruz vs. Sergio Vilas declared a draw
Kevin Dantzler def. Sam Micale via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 0:13
Andrew Kochel def. Kareem Mathieu via submission (kneebar) – Round 1, 0:53
Emily Hansen def. Amanda Mazza via TKO (broken arm) – Round 1, 1:37
Steve Joachim def. Anthony Williamson via submission (heel hook) – Round 1, 4:57
Tyler Carroll def. Peter Fazekas via submission (heel hook) – Round 1, 2:56
Max Livingston vs. Yanni Loor declared a draw
Sean Yadimarco vs. Franco Diaz declared a draw
Cam Mellott def. Brandon Bigelow via Golden Score (sweep) – Overtime, 0:17
PRELIMINARY CARD (OnlyFans)
Nick Digiacomo def. Aaron Kurzer via submission (kneebar) – Round 1, 1:50
Casey Malik def. John Filoon via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 1:20
Cole Kelley def. TJ Salas via submission (D'Arce choke) – Round 1, 3:37
Savion Maranon def. Mike Bonaccorsi via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:45
Nieko Malone def. Christian Kreps via Golden Score (takedown) – Overtime, 0:15
Matt Doyle def. Chris Martin via submission (D'Arce choke) – Round 1, 4:18
Angelina Hernandez def. Skyler Munson via submission (kneebar) – Round 1, 0:30
Josh Barrett def. Charlie Kennedy via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 1:45
Zac Rhatigan def. Bobby Riordan via Golden Score (sweep) – Overtime, 1:27
Alysa Couce vs. Abbey Reynolds declared a draw
PRELIMINARY CARD (Unaired)
Nick Digiacomo def. Aaron Kurzer via submission (kneebar) – Round 1, 1:50