Preview: UFC Vegas 105 ‘Emmett vs. Murphy’

Featherweights

Joanderson Brito (17-4-1, 5-2 UFC) vs. Pat Sabatini (19-5, 6-2 UFC)

ODDS: Brito (-205), Sabatini (+170)

This is an interesting clash of styles that should result in some entertainment. Brito started getting some hype over the last few years, and rightfully so. A Dana White’s Contender Series win over Diego Lopes has aged particularly well, and “Tubarao” has the type of horsepower needed to put together an impressive highlight reel. The expectation was that he would be able to eventually tear apart neutralizer William Gomis in their fight in September, but that was where Brito’s weaknesses—last seen in his 2022 loss to Bill Algeo—once again reared their ugly head. Brito is physical, violent and an absolute wildman, but that results in his throwing himself into a lot of positions where he can get outwrestled. Add in Brito’s rightful confidence in a solid submission game, and that results in his often wasting a lot of time locking horns with his opponents in close quarters rather than destroying them with offense on the feet. Admittedly, Brito has usually been able to eventually find a finish even when things get rough, but that finally came back to bite him against Gomis; and it could so again against Sabatini.

Sabatini got the UFC call in 2021 and looked like a prospect to watch. A standout wrestler and grappler, he spent his last few fights on the regional scene flashing an effective striking game from range. Sabatini’s ground skills have certainly lived up to the hype in eight trips to the Octagon thus far, but his standup game has been much more of a mixed bag. Things go well enough once he can settle into a fight, but multiple matchups have seen Sabatini quickly get sent off the rails by opponents who can swarm with powerful offense. Brito is out of control enough that he could send himself careening into a wrestling-heavy loss, but it seems likelier that the Brazilian blows this fight open before Sabatini finds any sort of groove. The pick is Brito via first-round knockout.

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Emmett vs. Murphy
Brito vs. Sabatini
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The Prelims