Pat Sabatini caught Jonathan Pearce in a compromising position in the opening round of their UFC Fight Night 244 bout and didn’t relent until he got the finish.

Sabatini (19-5 MMA, 6-2 UFC) displayed his grappling prowess when he got the back of Pearce (14-7 MMA, 5-4 UFC) from a standing position early in their featherweight bout at the UFC Apex. He methodically worked away at a rear-naked choke until he finally got the arm under the neck and forced. his opponent to tap at the 4:06 mark of Round 1.

Check out the replay of the finish below (via X):

WELCOME BACK TO THE WIN COLUMN 🚨@PatSabatini145 gets the first round SUB! #UFCVegas98 pic.twitter.com/HDtTjBCb0j

— UFC (@ufc) October 12, 2024

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With the win, Sabatini rebounds from a 90-second knockout defeat to Diego Lopes in November. Pearce, meanwhile, is suddenly on a three-fight losing skid after he was named MMA Junkie’s “Under-the-Radar Fighter of the Year” in 2022.

“I think I have an edge over everybody in this division on the ground,” Sabatini said in his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping. “(I want to fight again) sooner rather than later.”

Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 244 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 244.

Don’t mess with the flyweights.

The lightest men’s division in the UFC stole the spotlight at UFC Vegas 98 on Saturday, with headliners Brandon Royval and Tatsuro Taira, and prelim competitors Ramazan Temirov and Clayton Carpenter all earning an extra $50,000 for some incredible work inside the octagon.

Royval and Taira were justly given the Fight of the Night award following a five-round performance that wowed their fellow fighters and fans. It was Royval who emerged victorious via a close split decision, but both men are likely to be mentioned for Fight of the Year when 2024 comes to a close.

Performance of the Night bonuses went to Temirov and Carpenter.

Temirov made the most of his UFC debut, needing less than three minutes to show off his precision striking and finish off CJ Vergara. It was the 10th straight win for Temirov, who immediately positions himself as a player in the flyweight division.

Carpenter also kept a streak going as he improved his pro record to 8-0 with a two-round drubbing of Lucas Rocha. The 28-year-old defused Rocha’s offense with powerful wrestling before finishing him with a rear-naked choke. This is Carpenter’s first Performance of the Night bonus.

The UFC handed out four bonuses after Saturday’s card, but a lightweight who promised a title run, Grant Dawson, was left out of the mix.

Despite a brutal TKO finish on the main card and a bootylicious moment when he thanked his wife for her support – and “a dump truck you could bounce a quarter off of” – Dawson got no extra check for the mic-drop moment with his wife covering her face cageside.

After UFC Fight Night 244, four fighters picked up an extra $50,000 for their performances in Las Vegas. Check out the winners below.

Performance of the Night: Clayton Carpenter

Clayton Carpenter def. Lucas Rocha, UFC Fight Night 244

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Clayton Carpenter def. Lucas Rocha via technical submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:12

Clayton Carpenter (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) was fighting about 20 months after his UFC debut win, but it was evident his game plan was to take the fight to the canvas to outwork Lucas Rocha (17-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) on the canvas. After he cut him open in the first round and controlled him on the mat, he took him down again in the second and deftly locked in a rear-naked choke that put the Brazilian to sleep without a tap.

Performance of the Night: Ramazonbek Temirov

Ramazonbek Temirov def. CJ Vergara, UFC Fight Night 244

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Ramazonbek Temirov def. CJ Vergara via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:50

The UFC’s flyweights might have a new problem on their hands in Uzbekistan’s Ramazonbek Temirov (18-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC). He stormed out in a hurry against CJ Vergara (12-6-1 MMA, 3-4 UFC) and stayed on him for as long as the fight lasted, which was just past the halfway mark when he put him away, mercifully.

Fight of the Night: Brandon Royval def. Tatsuro Taira

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 12: (L-R) Brandon Royval punches Tatsuro Taira of Japan in a flyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on October 12, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

Brandon Royval def. Tatsuro Taira via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)

In a flyweight instant classic, Brandon Royval (17-7 MMA, 7-3 UFC) and Tatsuro Taira (16-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) truly went back and forth for 25 minutes with regular momentum shifts. But a late takedown for Royval in the fifth and several close submission attempts down the stretch may have sealed the deal for the recent title challenger to hand Taira the first loss of his career. Royval said afterward Taira is a future flyweight champion and he wants to help him get there. He wants another title shot next.

England interim head coach Lee Carsley says he doesn’t want to have “any regrets” at the end of his stint in charge of the national team, but expects his side to have a “more conventional” line-up against Finland, than in the 2-1 defeat by Greece at Wembley.

READ MORE: How can England use Bellingham, Foden and Palmer?

Watch Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol full fight video highlights from their main event showdown Saturday afternoon, courtesy of multiple outlets.

Beterbiev vs. Bivol took place Oct. 12 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Artur Beterbiev (21-0) and Dmitry Bivol (23-1) squared off in the the main event clash. The fight aired live on ESPN+.

Catch all the video highlights below.

For more on Beterbiev vs. Bivol, check out our live blog below.

Round 1: Both men out in orthodox and Bivol starts things quickly with his patented jab. Beterbiev holding the center while Bivol circles around and puts that jab to work. Beterbiev testing a few of his own but staying very tight. Both me just feeling each other out. And now Bivol takes the center and the lead and pumps that jab into Beterbiev’s gloves. Both men have tested the body a few times as well, but defense is the name of the game on both sides early. High, tight guards from both. Bivol searches with a left hook around the guard but Beterbiev catches it.

Very patient round from both me. Then Bivol lands a 1-2 down the pipe as Beterbiev lapsed for a moment. Beterbiev looking to land something meaningful but can’t find it yet and Bivol lands a body shot. Then with short time both me fire combos at each other and Beterbiev looked to have got the better of the final exchance.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Bivol.

Round 2: Beterbiev back out to the center and we’re seeing a pattern early: Bivol with more volume, primarily the jab, while Beterbiev is waiting for bigger moments. Certainly when Beterbiev lands, he does seem to affect Bivol more, at least thus far.

Bivol really putting that jab to work. He’s constantly in Beterbiev’s face with it now. But Beterbiev keeps coming forward, moving Bivol around the ring. Bivol stabs to the body and retreats. Beterbiev having a lot of success backing Bivol down right now but he’s not putting much leather down.

Both men blocking most of the activity now. Beterbiev cornering him and Bivol waiting to fire then moving. Beterbiev lands a good left hook just before the bell.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Bivol, 20-18 Bivol overall.

Round 3: Beterbiev right back to the hunt to start this round. Beterbiev going to pick up the pace a bit it seems as he fires to the body. Bivol giving a lot of ground now and still leaning on that jab.

Now Bivol opens up with a 1-2 on the counter that connects and earns some respect. Beterbiev still marching him down though, putting a jab on him and closing the space. Bivol’s movement is muting Beterbiev’s offense thus far but for how long?

Beterbiev lands a good right hand as Bivol circles out. Then another. He’s finding the right hand more frequently now and he’s walking Bivol down relentlessly. Bivol decides to dig in and they stand in the phone booth throwing. Beterbiev seems to get the better of it though as Bivol has to retreat before the end of the round.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Beterbiev, 29-28 Bivol overall.

Round 4: Beterbiev right back to the middle and almost immediately lands a thudding jab. Bivol staying on his bike but Beterbiev finding him better now. Well, as I say that, Beterbiev throws a jab and Bivol counters with a solid three-piece. And another counter from Bivol off the jab. Bivol seems to have found something in the timing.

Bivol still moving around and lands to the body. He’s gaining confidence as he counters with a combo and gets back on the move. Beterbiev loops a right hook around the guard of Bivol. Beterbiev then lands a counter right hand in response to a jab.

Bivol really keeping Beterbiev off balance with his changes and bursts of offense. Short time and Beterbiev lands a good 1-2 as Bivol moved against the ropes.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Bivol, 39-37 Bivol overall.

Round 5: Bivol comes out and tries to take the initiative to start this round and it results in the two of them exchanging some heavy leather in the center. Both men land OK but Bivol got the better of that one. Now he’s back on his bike.

Beterbiev just can’t quite get his power shots off yet. Bivol is keeping him off balance by mixing his tactics. And there Bivol lands a nice right hand. Beterbiev unphased though and he keeps coming, putting his own right hook into Bivol.

Oh! BIG jab from Beterbiev snaps Bivol’s head back and that might have hurt Bivol. Bivol retreating more seriously now and Beterbiev is on the hunt. Beterbiev lands a few but Bivol responds with a big left to gain space. Beterbiev resets and comes again though and a hook to the guard sends Bivol moving around the ring.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Beterbiev, 48-47 Bivol overall.

Round 6: Beterbiev back to the center and lands a heavy right hand early. Bivol on his bike but Beterbiev is now throwing power shots. Bivol has blocked them all, but they still physically move Bivol’s body. He clearly is the more powerful man in the ring tonight.

Bivol trying to stymie Beterbiev with movement but he’s slowing a bit in that regard. Bivol standing his ground a little more like he does right now and he lands a good combo. Beterbiev gets right back on him though and he starts landing. Bivol retreating and Beterbiev stalking him. Both men trading jabs in there. And Bivol holding the center with a solid combination of his own.

Snappy left hand from Bivol off a pivot. Beterbiev rips him to the body though. Beterbiev is brimming with confidence right now, charging in with power shots, and another big one lands to the body. Bivol responds up top but Beterbiev slips as the round ends.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Beterbiev, 57-57 overall.

Round 7: Beterbiev right back to work with his jab on the lead but Bivol lands a sharp right hand counter over the top. Beterbiev staying in his face though and sticks the body. Bivol getting back to his jab here, then lands a night long combination after drawing counters from Beterbiev.

Bivol back to the jab as Beterbiev’s output has slowed this round. NASTY counter from Bivol gets Beterbiev moving back! Beterbiev might be hurt! Bivol really tagged him there. But Beterbiev digs in and fired big shots back! If he’s hurt, he doesn’t even know it and now Bivol may have overextended as Beterbiev starts ripping into him. Bivol covering up and retreating.

And Beterbiev lands big shots! Nice little uppercut as Bivol simply covers up until the end fo the round.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Bivol, 67-66 Bivol overall.

Round 8: No idea how to score that last round. Beterbiev got tagged but then Bivol got tagged at the end.

More patient start to this round from both men with Bivol in the center early. Bivol back to his jab, Beterbiev waiting a round a bit. Now he dips to the body as Bivol waits. Then Bivol lands a sharp right to the body. He’s holding the center well this round.

Beterbiev goes up top then to the body and that one lands. Bivol fires back and he’s starting to show a bit of wear over his left eye. And Beterbiev comes in to corner him but Bivol pivots out and sticks. Beterbiev lands a nice right and uppercut though. Then a jab. He’s taking control of the round. But Bivol tries to get it back at the end with a combination, Beterbiev blocks them all and then returns fire before the bell.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Beterbiev, 76-76 overall.

Round 9: Beterbiev on the lead this round but Bivol lands nicely to the body. Beterbiev lands a good looping left and Bivol responds to the body. Bivol takes the center and now he’s got Beterbiev backed up.

Only for a moment though as Beterbiev takes the center and back to the dynamic. Bivol upping his workrate this round though. Bivol sticks to the body and moves and again. Then a combination with a nice right hand from Bivol up top. Beterbiev can’t seem to find a comfortable spot right now as Bivol tags him to the body again.

Beterbiev keeps stalking and lands a pair of hooks but Bivol pivots and then fires of some salty punches of his own. Beterbiev bites down and runs him down but he can’t find Bivol in there this round.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Bivol, 86-85 Bivol.

Round 10: Beterbiev right back to the hunt and opens with some power punches. He needs to do this and he keeps it up, putting Bivol on the defensive early. Lands a good right hand and Beterbiev now really showing some urgency in there. Bivol keeps on the move though.

Beterbiev putting both hands on Bivol now. Bivol very defensive thus far as Beterbiev works both levels. Bivol blocking most of this but he’s not getting his own offense off right now. He does take the center but Beterbiev puts a jab on him. Beterbiev misses a right hook and Bivol now bitting down.

Bivol with mean combinations inside and Beterbiev looks to meet force with force. Bivol lands well but Beterbiev does as well and now Bivol has to retreat. Beterbiev chasing Bivol down as the round ends.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Beterbiev, 95-95 overall.

Round 11: Beterbiev back with the urgency to start this round. But Bivol takes the center and puts the jab on him. Bivol draws out a jab and lands a nice right hand. Now he starts trying to draw Beterbiev in and Bivol tags the body. Then a nice right hook up top. Bivol mixing it all well right now.

But Beterbiev lands a right hook the inspires him and now he’s hunting. Mean rip to the body from Beterbiev. Bivol on the retreat but Beterbiev lands another big shot to the body. And a hook up top. Bivol retreating now has to go for a tie up.

Beterbievkeeps chopping that wood. Bivol blocking most of this but it’s clearly still having an effect. Bivol trying to smother him inside but Beterbiev is unloading on him right now. This is nasty business from Beterbiev at the moment.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Beterbiev, 105-14 Beterbiev overall.

Round 12: Bivol showing some swelling over his left eye for real now.

And Beterbiev comes out to the center but Bivol trying to head him off with the jab early. Beterbiev lands a nice right hand over the top though. And another right hand. Bivol looks like he’s trying to manage the round.

Well, then he rips a nice 4-punch combo into Beterbiev. Beterbiev comes in and Bivol rips a nasty shot to the body in his combination. Bivol with another combo on the counter. Beterbiev getting led around a bit.

Big right hand from Beterbiev but Bivol moves off it. He’s on the bike. Beterbiev now getting combinations of his own going and Bivol stands his ground to return fire. Beterbiev comes in and grabs after a weird collision. Beterbiev keeps coming after the break and lands a pair of good rights. Bivol retreating and tying up. Then fires back. 10 seconds left and they both fire but nothing major lands.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Bivol, 114-114 overall.

Brandon Royval didn’t expect to go the distance with Tatsuro Taira, but the goal of securing victory and handing his opponent his first career loss was accomplished.

The flyweight bout was the UFC Fight Night 244 main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The incredible 25-minute bout left the judges split. The former title challenger Royval (17-7 MMA, 7-3 UFC) was announced as the winner over Taira (17-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), with dueling 48-47 scores.

Royval set the tone in the opening round with crisp striking, both when leading behind a speedy right jab and catching Taira with sharp counters. Taira responded with a solid offense, connecting in a flurry that led to a takedown.

Early in Round 2, Taira brought the fight to the mat again after smartly kicking off the fence while clinched. On the ground, he locked in a body triangle, allowing him to hunt for a rear-naked choke and land punches while Royval attempted to scramble.

With the fight even after 10 minutes, the game plans were apparent. Royval knew he couldn’t afford to be taken down again.

At his corner’s advice, Royval went to work quickly with sharp punching, putting Taira in trouble on the feet. As Taira attempted to give himself space to reset, Royval poured on the pressure and continued to land big strikes.

ROYVAL HAD TAIRA HURT 😳 #UFCVegas98 pic.twitter.com/fCBKzdg7i8

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 13, 2024

Despite being severely threatened, somehow, Tiara found his way onto Royval’s back and slapped on a tight rear-naked choke. The horn may have saved Royval in an otherwise dominant round.

Just 30 seconds into Round 4, Taira was in on the hips, working to get the fight to the ground. He was successful and once again threatened chokes and landed punches and elbows, keeping the fight on the mat for most of the round.

Going into Round 5, the fight was seemingly up for grabs. Taira was able to take it to his comfort zone on the ground, but this time, Royval was able to reverse the position to get back to his feet. Sharp punches connected for Royval, prompting Taira to shoot in. Royval reversed again and threatened his own submissions to close out the fight on a strong note.

While the fight was a split decision, it was not the final round that decided the fight. Instead, Round 1 was the deciding frame, as judge Sal D’Amato scored it for Taira.

“I thought I was going to take him to school.”@BrandonRoyval‘s night went a little differently than he expected. #UFCVegas98 pic.twitter.com/xExOlBbwXO

— UFC (@ufc) October 13, 2024

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Royval, 32, called to be next up for a title shot after UFC 310, where Alexandre Pantoja will look to defend against UFC newcomer Kai Asakura.

“I get that f*cking title shot next,” Royval said during his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping. “I get that title shot next. I’ll be the backup. Kai Asakura, I’m going to Japan, I’m taking that sh*t. If Pantoja wins it, I’m going to Brazil and I’m taking that sh*t.

“Title shot next. That’s the only f*cking discussion. I beat everybody in the top 5 of the f*cking division. Who the f*ck else?”

If granted, it will be Royval’s second attempt to claim the UFC flyweight title. His first shot was against Pantoja at UFC 296, but he came up short on the wrong end of a unanimous decision.

Taira, 24, suffers the first loss of his professional career. He was previously unbeaten through six fights under the UFC banner.

Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 244 results include:

• Brandon Royval def. Tatsuro Taira via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)
• JunYong Park def. Brad Tavares via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Chidi Njokuani def. Jared Gooden via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Grant Dawson def. Rafa Garcia via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 1:42
• Daniel Rodriguez def. Alex Morono via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Ramazonbek Temirov def. CJ Vergara via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:50
• Pat Sabatini def. Jonathan Pearce via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:06
• Themba Gorimbo def. Niko Price via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Junior Tafa def. Sean Sharaf via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:15
• Julia Polastri def. Cory McKenna via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
• Cody Haddon def. Dan Argueta via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Clayton Carpenter def. Lucas Rocha via technical submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:12

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 244.