In the unpredictable world of mixed martial arts, emotions can run high, especially after a fight as contentious as Danny Sabatello's recent bout against Lazaro Dayron at the 2024 PFL Playoffs 2. Sabatello, who has been a formidable force in the bantamweight division, faced an unexpected challenge not just from his opponent but also from the judges.
The fight ended in a majority draw, a decision that left Sabatello in disbelief. Despite one judge scoring the fight 29-27 in his favor, two other judges ruled it 28-28, resulting in the draw. A one-point deduction against Dayron for grabbing the fence in Round 3 was a key factor, yet Sabatello couldn't fathom how the fight wasn’t awarded to him.
“I don’t see any scenario how he would’ve won that fight given they took the point away,” Sabatello said in his post-fight news conference. His frustration boiled over as he added, “I always feel like if it’s a loss I’m blaming the judges, but I somehow always end up with these fights of what the f*ck.”
The disappointment was so severe that Sabatello openly questioned his future in the sport.
“I don’t know if I’m ever gonna fight again,” he declared, admitting that the decision had shaken his confidence. He went on to say, “I’m not here to get yanked around by some f*cking judges… In my mind right now, I’m done.”
However, just a day later, Sabatello seemed to have a change of heart. In a post on X, he emphatically stated
“I’m not retired u f*ckin idiots.”
This swift reversal suggests that the heat of the moment may have clouded his judgment, and fans can likely expect to see him back in the cage soon.
Sabatello’s recent struggles, including losses in three of his last five fights, mark a challenging period in his career. Yet, his resilience and determination to be the best remain evident, hinting that his journey in MMA is far from over.
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