UFC: Takashi Sato shrugs off coronavirus drama with 48-second TKO of late replacement Jason Witt
- Sanford MMA fighter Sato back in win column with first-round finish over late-replacement Witt
- Sato says ‘no problem’ despite cornerman of original opponent Brahimaj testing positive for Covid-19 earlier in the week
Japanese welterweight prospect Takashi Sato made the most of being bumped up to the main card after securing a stunning 48-second TKO at UFC Vegas 4 on Saturday.
The 30-year-old Sato (16-3), whose original opponent Ramiz Brahimaj was removed from the card due to his cornerman testing positive for Covid-19 during fight week, landed a heavy right hand to drop late replacement Jason Witt (17-6) in the first round.
“Ten” Sato then waited patiently for the right moment to finish the 33-year-old American with a series of hammer punches.
“I feel good so I had great training with the best coaches and teammates at Sanford MMA every day. I’m happy to win,” said the Tokyo-born Sato, who trains alongside elite UFC welterweights Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns.
“Actually, I was looking for a KO win and was able to keep my distance and do something from my fight camp, so I’m glad I could use it for the great result today,” he said, adding that the late replacement drama was “no problem”.
Sato is now back in the win column having lost to Belal Muhammad via third-round rear-naked choke in September 2019. He is 2-1 in the UFC since signing last year.
It was Sato’s first fight since the death of his father in February. He missed the funeral to prepare for a fight in Auckland, New Zealand on the UFC Fight Night: Felder vs Hooker card, but the fight fell through.
