Jonathan Pearce vs. Pat Sabatini: UFC Fight Night 244 Prelims Preview & Predictiona month ago
The featherweight bout between Jonathan Pearce and Pat Sabatini at UFC Fight Night 244 is a pivotal matchup for both fighters in the division. With Pearce looking to bounce back from a recent losing streak and Sabatini aiming to build on his submission game, this fight will feature an intriguing contrast between Pearce’s striking and Sabatini’s grappling prowess.

Jonathan Pearce («JSP»)

* Age: 32
* Height: 5’11" / 180 cm
* Weight: 145 lbs / 65.77 kg
* Record: 14-6
* Association: Fight Ready
Jonathan Pearce is known for his aggressive, high-volume striking, with 64% of his wins coming by KO/TKO (9 KOs). Although he has displayed grappling skills with 2 submission wins, Pearce’s main strength lies in his pressure-heavy style. He’ll look to push the pace and overwhelm his opponents with his striking. Despite coming off back-to-back losses, Pearce’s TKO win over Makwan Amirkhani and decision win over Darren Elkins prove his resilience and capability to compete at a high level.

Jonathan Pearce - Last 5 Fights

* Loss vs. David Onama – UFC on ESPN 55 (Apr 27, 2024)
* Loss vs. Joanderson Brito – UFC Fight Night 232 (Nov 18, 2023)
* Win vs. Darren Elkins – UFC on ESPN 42 (Dec 3, 2022)
* Win vs. Makwan Amirkhani – UFC Fight Night 208 (Jul 23, 2022)
* Win vs. Christian Rodriguez – UFC Fight Night 201 (Feb 19, 2022)

Pat Sabatini

* Age: 33
* Height: 5’9" / 175 cm
* Weight: 145 lbs / 65.77 kg
* Record: 18-5
* Association: Renzo Gracie Philly / MPR Endurance
Pat Sabatini is a submission specialist, with 61% of his wins coming by submission (11 submissions). His grappling is his strongest asset, as evidenced by his arm-triangle submission victory over Lucas Almeida. Sabatini’s ability to control opponents on the ground is exceptional, but he has shown vulnerability in striking exchanges, with 3 of his 5 losses coming by KO/TKO. Sabatini will aim to bring the fight to the mat and work towards a submission victory.

Pat Sabatini - Last 5 Fights

* Loss vs. Diego Lopes – UFC 295 (Nov 11, 2023)
* Win vs. Lucas Almeida – UFC on ESPN 47 (Jun 17, 2023)
* Loss vs. Damon Jackson – UFC Fight Night 210 (Sep 17, 2022)
* Win vs. T.J. Laramie – UFC on ESPN 34 (Apr 16, 2022)
* Win vs. Tucker Lutz – UFC Fight Night 198 (Nov 20, 2021)

Fight Breakdown
This fight will likely hinge on whether Pearce can keep the fight standing or if Sabatini can force a grappling-heavy battle. Pearce will want to stay at range, using his height and reach advantage to land strikes and avoid takedowns. Sabatini, on the other hand, will look for openings to shoot for takedowns or engage in clinch work to bring the fight to the ground, where he can capitalize on his submission skills.

Prediction
Jonathan Pearce’s striking and ability to apply pressure give him an advantage if he can avoid Sabatini’s grappling. However, if Sabatini is able to close the distance and initiate takedowns, Pearce could struggle to fend off submissions. This fight could be a back-and-forth battle, but Sabatini’s superior grappling gives him a slight edge.

Prediction: Pat Sabatini by Submission (Round 2).