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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Farah Hannoun and MMA Junkie Radio

Danny Sabatello: Bellator hit jackpot with me as the ‘golden goose of this promotion’

Danny Sabatello thinks he can become a big star for Bellator.

Sabatello (13-2 MMA, 3-1 BMMA) has ruffled plenty of feathers during his time with the promotion, but also has been delivering the results in the cage.

The outspoken bantamweight won his first three fights with the promotion, including a win over Leandro Higo in the grand prix quarterfinal, before he lost a split decision to interim bantamweight champion Raufeon Stots in the semifinals at Bellator 289. The Stots fight marked Sabatello’s first Bellator headliner, and he plans to be a part of plenty of big fights moving forward.

“I have a very strong connection and very great relationship with everybody in Bellator,” Sabatello told MMA Junkie Radio. “One thing that they do see is my charisma and my potential in this sport. We’ve only scratched the surface. We’re only getting started here. But obviously, they’re very grateful for me, and I’m very grateful for them. This is the perfect relationship.

“I’m trying to make Bellator bigger and badder than it’s ever been. I want to make this promotion absolutely massive. I want to be the face of it, and they’re providing me the platform, so it’s very good for both of us. Obviously I’m very good for the sport. I’m very good for Bellator, but none of this sh*t happens if I don’t f*cking win.”

Sabatello knows he needs to return to the win column if he wants to keep his momentum going. Sabatello meets Marcos Breno (15-2 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) at Bellator 294 next Friday at Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu.

“I think Bellator knows that they hit jackpot with me,” Sabatello said. “I’m the golden goose of this promotion. I’m becoming the face of this promotion, but I’ve just got to keep doing what I do and that’s talk sh*t, be exciting and win fights.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 294.

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