“The Italian Gangster” made quite the opening impression for his Bellator debut. Dismantling the former UFC veteran, Brett Johns, and spoiling the coming out party for the Wales native. Danny Sabatello stepped up on under a week’s notice, and did exactly what he knew he was going to do. Now in a multi-fight contract with his new home, Bellator MMA, Sabatello is ready to make further waves this summer.
“I get the call five days before the fight,” Sabatello began, speaking to Cageside Press. “My eyes lit up, that’s an opponent I dream of getting a short notice fight from. He’s got a lot of heat on his name, wins on his belt. Not just beat him but to dominate him,” Sabatello continued. “To show that Danny Sabatello is the best in this f*cking division.”
Both Brett Johns and Danny Sabatello were both making their promotional debut, and while bantamweight is the deepest division in Bellator, it seemed the winner of the bout would enter the promotion’s top 10. Full disclosure: As a rankings member, I did have Danny Sabatello in my top 10. Some of my counterparts seemed to disagree, as he remains unranked. Sabatello had plenty to say to the panel.
“That’s the dumbest sh*t I’ve ever seen in my life,” Sabatello exclaimed about the rankings snub. “I don’t know how I’m not top 10, it is kinda funny. All those people that don’t think I’m that good can go f*ck themselves. I hope I get a ranked opponent in my next fight, smash him too. You can put me in then or leave me out, I don’t give a sh*t.”
When it comes to who intrigues Sabatello in the division next, some interesting names came to mind.
“Josh Hill and Jornel Lugo,” Sabatello stated. “It’s been crickets from those guys. Haven’t heard too much back. That is what makes sense, I won’t get Sergio Pettis or Juan Archuletta right away.”
Be sure to catch the full interview with Bellator 259’s Danny Sabatello above.
