MMA Match Preview: Sam Patterson (14-2-1) vs. Trey Waters (9-2)
Venue & Event Details
Event: UFC Fight Night 258: Imavov vs. Borralho
Bout: Sam Patterson (England) vs. Trey “The Truth” Waters (USA) – Welterweight (170 lbs)
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Location: Accor Arena, Paris, France
Card Placement: Preliminary Card
Broadcast:
USA: ESPN+ / UFC Fight Pass
UK: TNT Sports / discovery+
France: RMC Sport
Injury & Availability Report
Sam Patterson: No reported injuries; completed full camp in England.
Trey Waters: No reported injuries; first fight since May 2024 after a layoff.
Medical Suspensions: None entering fight week.
Fighter Profiles & Matchup Breakdown
Sam Patterson (14–2–1) – England
Height/Reach: 6’3” / 78″ reach
Style: Submission specialist with improving striking power
UFC Record: 4–1
Key Strengths:
12 career finishes (5 KO/TKO, 7 SUB)
Excellent use of reach for jabs and front kicks
Slick back takes and arm-triangle setups
Recent Form:
W – Trey Waters (TKO R1)
W – Danny Barlow (KO R1)
W – Kiefer Crosbie (SUB R1)
W – Yohan Lainesse (SUB R1)
L – Yanal Ashmouz (KO R1)
Tactical Notes: Patterson’s game is built on early pressure, long-range striking to force reactions, and quick level changes into submissions. His chin has been tested, but his recent defensive improvements have reduced damage absorbed.
Trey “The Truth” Waters (9–2) – USA
Height/Reach: 6’5” / 77″ reach
Style: Tall, rangy striker with solid defensive wrestling
UFC Record: 2–1
Key Strengths:
Lands 6.43 significant strikes per minute
85% takedown defense
Former LFA champion
Recent Form:
L – Sam Patterson (TKO R1)
W – Billy Ray Goff (UD)
W – Josh Quinlan (UD)
L – Gabriel Bonfim (SUB R1, DWCS 2022)
Tactical Notes: Waters uses his frame well for straight punches and knees, but can be vulnerable to pressure fighters who close distance quickly. His output is high, but he’s less proven as a finisher at UFC level.
Fight History & Context
First Meeting: This bout at UFC Paris was their first professional meeting.
Fight Result: Patterson scored a standing TKO at 3:01 of Round 1, marking his fourth straight first-round finish and calling out Neil Magny post-fight.
Pre-Fight Stakes: Patterson entered on a three-fight first-round finish streak; Waters was returning from a 16-month layoff.
Betting Trends
Patterson: 4 straight wins inside the first round; 85% takedown accuracy; 3.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Waters: All UFC wins by decision; absorbs 5.61 significant strikes per minute — nearly double Patterson’s rate.
Paris Factor: European fighters have a 70% win rate at UFC Paris events since 2022.
FIGHT ODDS
Sam Patterson – 180
Trey Waters + 150
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025
