Gabe Sagman ready to rise to the occasion at Unified 44
Apr 1, 2022
CALGARY – Gabe Sagman is ready to rise to the occasion.
The fast-rising Ontario fighter is preparing for the biggest fight of his life as he takes on Noah “The Chosen Defender” Ali for the vacant Unified MMA Bantamweight Championship in the Main Event of Unified 44 on May 6 in Calgary, LIVE on UFC Fight Pass.
Ali has long been regarded as one of Canada’s top 135-pound contenders, and he’s keen to put on a memorable show for his hometown fans in Calgary. In his most recent fight, Ali dispatched fellow top prospect Michael Hay with a vicious body kick. A victory on fight night will be the 11th of Ali’s career.
“This is definitely the biggest fight of my career so far. Fighting for Unified on UFC Fight Pass makes this the biggest opportunity for me yet, and Noah is the toughest, most seasoned opponent I’ve fought,” Sagman says.
That said, Sagman isn’t letting the moment get the better of him.
“It’s business as usual,” the Stoney Creek, ON fighter offers with a chuckle. “You know, aside from preparing for a five-round fight, which is really just a cool opportunity, I’m approaching this as any other fight. That’s what you have to do.”
Sagman has been aware of Ali for a while. He lauds his opponent as a crafty veteran. But Sagman is far from a rookie himself, boasting a 7-4 record on the strength of two straight wins. He’s also been a martial artist since well before he entered the cage, taking up karate at a young age and then Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
“I don’t really make predictions going into my fights, but I know that I’m going to push the pace and turn up the heat for five straight rounds, or as long as this fight goes,” Sagman says.
“The belt is in sight. This is everything I’ve worked towards. I already consider myself a champion in life, and this is just a physical manifestation of everything I’ve worked so hard for.”
Also at Unified 44 on May 6 at 7 Chiefs Sportsplex at Tsuut’ina Nation. The event, which will air LIVE on UFC Fight Pass, features Noah “The Chosen Defender” Ali (10-5-1) versus Gabe Sagman (7-4) for the vacant Unified MMA Bantamweight Championship, the Unified debut of Tom “Big Nasty” O’Connor (9-2), the return of Zack Powell (5-1) and much more.
Photo credit: Jordon Hollingsworth and Shelby Deluney/Creative Lifestyles Studio
ABOUT UNIFIED MMA
Unified MMA is Canada’s leading mixed martial arts promotion, showcasing the country’s top-ranked fighters, LIVE on UFC Fight Pass. The organization has successfully promoted 43 events since it was founded in 2009, and has propelled several athletes to the UFC’s Octagon.
