Danny Sabatello

Danny Sabatello (born March 31, 1993) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division of Bellator MMA.

Background
Coming from a Sicilian family whose roots trace back to Palermo, Danny Sabatello was born in Chicago, Illinois, in the suburb of Long Grove. He graduated from Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois, where he was a two-time Illinois state champion, going 152-19, which included two years at St. Viator High School, He went to wrestle Division I at Purdue University, where his older brothers Joey and Vinny also went. While there, he was a three-time NCAA Championships qualifier at 133 and 141, and a two-time 141-pound Big Ten Championship place-winner. He also become the first Purdue wrestler to twice earn Big Ten Wrestler of the Week honors in his career. After finished his college degree in Law and Society with a minor in Organizational Leadership and Supervision, He moved to South Florida after his wrestling career on a whim to become a MMA fighter, eventually landing at American Top Team.

Early career
Making his MMA debut in 2018, Sabatello submitted Ray Paige in the first round and would go on to defeat his next 4 opponents on the Florida regional scene, 3 by first round stoppages. Making his debut for Titan FC at Titan FC 56, Sabatello defeated Philip Keller via TKO stoppage in the first round. He was then given a chance to challenge reigning champ Irwin Rivera at Titan FC 58 on December 20, 2019. Sabatello lost the bout via fourth-round technical knockout due to a body punch.

Rebounding at Titan FC 56, he submitted Chris Johnson in the third round via arm-triangle choke, and at Titan FC 60, Sabatello was given another chance for the Titan FC Bantamweight Championship against Raymond Ramos, winning the bout and title via rear-naked choke in the first round.

After winning the Titan FC title, Sabatello was given a spot on Dana White's Contender Series 35 against Taylor Moore. Despite judges scores of 30-24, 30-25, 30-26 on the road to a unanimous decision victory, Sabatello was not given a UFC contract.

Returning to Titan FC, Sabatello faced future UFC fighter Da’mon Blackshear at Titan FC 67, defeating him over five round to defend his title.

Bellator MMA
Sabatello, as a replacement for Matheus Mattos, faced Brett Johns on May 21, 2021 at Bellator 259. Sabatello won the bout via unanimous decision.

Sabatello was expected to face the 34-fight veteran Johnny Campbell on August 13, 2021 at Bellator 264. However, the bout was cancelled during fight week due to health and safety protocols, with Sabatello being confirmed to have tested positive for COVID-19.

Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix
Due to the pull out of two fighters from the Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix due to injuries, a wild card bout between Sabatello and Jornel Lugo was announced for April 22, 2022 at Bellator 278. He won the bout in dominant fashion via unanimous decision.

After the bout, Sabatello signed a new long term deal with the promotion.

Sabatello faced Leandro Higo in the quarter-finals of the Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix at Bellator 282 on June 24, 2022. He won the bout via unanimous decision. Sabatello was fined $5,000 for abusive language in his post fight speech by the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation.

In the semi-finals, Sabatello faced Raufeon Stots for the Interim Bellator Bantamweight World Championship on December 9, 2022 in the main event at Bellator 289. He lost the fight via split decision.

Post Grand Prix
Sabatello faced Marcos Breno on April 21, 2023 at Bellator 294. He won the bout in the second round after wearing Breno down and submitting him with a rear-naked choke.

Sabatello faced Magomed Magomedov on July 30, 2023 at Bellator MMA x Rizin 2. He lost the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the first round.

Sabatello rematched Raufeon Stots on November 17, 2023 at Bellator 301. In a thrilling bout, Sabatello lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments

 * Titan Fighting Championships
 * Titan FC Bantamweight Championship (one time)
 * One successful title defense