Takashi Satō

is a Japanese mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight division. A professional since 2013, he is most notable for his time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Early life Born to a Japanese father and Taiwanese mother, Sato grew up in Shinjuku, Tokyo, with his parents and older brother. He was a big fan of reading comics just like many other Japanese children. However one day, his older brother accidentally threw them all out. Sato says he cried the whole day until the following day his father felt very bad and came home from work with a new comic based on a kid becoming a judo champion. This then inspired Sato to pursue Judo and he used to train at the local police station.

Mixed martial arts career

Japan Sato started his MMA career fighting in various promotions in Japan. Sato then fought for Pancrase and Deep promotions in Japan. He earned a Pancrase title shot but lost to Glaico França. Sato earned the opportunity to fight in the UFC after beating former UFC fighter Matt Vaile.

Ultimate Fighter Championship Sato signed with the UFC on April 2, 2019, and made his UFC debut on April 27, 2019, against Ben Saunders at UFC Fight Night: Jacaré vs. Hermansson. After being tagged by Saunders early, Sato won the fight by knockout.

Sato's next Fight was against Belal Muhammad on September 7, 2019, in the United Emirates at UFC 242. Sato lost by rear-naked choke in the third round.

Sato was scheduled to face Maki Pitolo at UFC Fight Night 168 on February 23, 2020. However, Pitolo was unable to make weight and the bout was scrapped from the card.

Sato was scheduled to face Ramiz Brahimaj on June 27, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker but the fight was scratched due to one of Brahimaj's cornermen testing positive for COVID-19. Two days before the fight, Sato's opponent was switched to UFC newcomer Jason Witt. Sato won the fight via knock out in 48 seconds in round one.

Sato was scheduled to face Daniel Rodriguez on August 22, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 15. However, despite making the required weight, Sato was not cleared to fight by Nevada State Athletic Commission medical personnel and was removed from the card. Later, Sato revealed that a skin infection in his torso was the reason for the removal. He lost the fight via second round arm-triangle choke.

Sato returned after more than a one-year hiatus and faced Gunnar Nelson, replacing injured Cláudio Silva, on 19 March 2022 at UFC Fight Night 204. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Sato faced Bryan Battle on August 6, 2022, at UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Hill. He lost the fight via knockout in round one.

Sato faced Themba Gorimbo on May 20, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 223. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

On June 8, it was announced that Sato was not extended a new contract and was no longer on the UFC roster.

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Christopher Alvidrez TKO (punches) XFC Young Guns 7-8

Deerfield, Florida, United States Loss

Jang Yun-seong Decision (unanimous) Z-Fight Night 2

Goyang, South Korea Loss

Themba Gorimbo Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Hill

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Bryan Battle KO (head kick) UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Hill

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Gunnar Nelson Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Aspinall

London, England Loss

Miguel Baeza Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC on ESPN: Smith vs. Clark

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Jason Witt TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Belal Muhammad Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 242

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Ben Saunders TKO (punches and elbows) UFC Fight Night: Jacaré vs. Hermansson

Sunrise, Florida, United States Win

Matt Vaile TKO (punches) Pancrase 300

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Glaico França Submission (rear-naked choke) Pancrase 297

Tokyo, Japan Win

Masayuki Hamagishi TKO (elbows and punches) GRANDSLAM 7

Tokyo, Japan Win

Akihiro Murayama TKO (punches) Pancrase 292

Tokyo, Japan Win

Kenta Takagi TKO (punches) Pancrase 289

Tokyo, Japan Win

Anton Radman TKO (knee) Pancrase 286

Tokyo, Japan Win

Eric Michael Fought Decision (split) Pancrase 273

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Kenta Takagi TKO (punch) Pancrase 269

Tokyo, Japan Win

Yusaku Tsukumo TKO (doctor stoppage) DEEP 72 Impact

Tokyo, Japan Win

Vyron Phillips Decision (unanimous) Pancrase 265

Tokyo, Japan Win

Hidetora Matsuoka TKO (punches) DEEP DREAM Impact 2014: Omisoka Special

Saitama, Japan Win

Yasuaki Miura TKO (punch) TTF Challenge 03

Tokyo, Japan Win

Genpei Hayashi TKO (punches) Pancrase 260

Tokyo, Japan Win

Makoto Kawawa Submission (rear-naked choke) Pancrase 258

Tokyo, Japan Win

Joe Proctor Submission (arm-triangle choke) Pancrase Bayside Fight 2

Yokohama, Japan Win

Shotaro Yabe Decision (unanimous) DEEP: Tribe Tokyo Fight

Tokyo, Japan