Takashi Sato was one the wrong end of a decision defeat at UFC Vegas 73 this morning. The Japanese welterweight was frustrated by the relentless Themba Gorimbo at the Apex Centre.
Gorimbo came out looking for the takedown but Sato stayed on his feet and tossed the South African to the floor. He got back to his feet and continued to work relentlessly to take the Japanese fighter down.
Sato briefly found himself in side control after enough textbook trip but Gorimbo escaped and took his back, working for a rear naked choke as the round ended. There was more action at the start of the second round with the South African landing a hard right hand.
Gorimbo looked to finish the fight with ground and pound but Sato recovered and was eventually able to scramble back to his feet. The Japanese fighter was able to execute another sweet but soon found himself defending a heel hook.
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Too little, too late
Gorimbo couldn’t complete the leg lock but was able to work his way back up. Both men looked tired as this stage but there was still time for one more takedown from the South African.
Sato needed something major to turn the fight around in the final round but it was Gorimbo who got the takedown. He took the back and was able to remain in that position for the best part of four minutes.
With 3o second to go Sato was able to reverse the position and land some elbows from his opponent’s guard but it was too little too late. All three judges scored the fight for Gorimbo who improves to 11-4 while Sato drops to 16-7.
"From February to now, it's been eating me, so I have to enjoy this victory whether it was a decision or whatever it was."
Themba Gorimbo earns his first @UFC victory with a unanimous decision win over Takashi Sato at #UFCVegas73 🔊⬆️
— UFC News (@UFCNews) May 20, 2023
Best of the rest
Maheshate dropped to 9-3 after getting stopped by Viacheslav Borshchev midway through the second round. The Russian, who climbs to 7-3, hurt him with a left hook and then swarmed all over the Chinese lightweight with ground and pound.
In the main event Mackenzie Dern and Angela Hill provided plenty of entertainment but it was the Brazilian who emerged victorious after five rounds of action. With the win she improves to 13-3 while her opponent drops to 15-13.
UFC Vegas 73, Las Vegas, May 20th
Mackenzie Dern def. Angela Hill via Decision (Unanimous)
Anthony Hernandez def. Edmen Shahbazyan via TKO (Elbows and punches) at 1:01 of R3
Lupita Godinez def. Emily Ducote via Decision (Unanimous)
Joaquin Buckley def. André Fialho via TKO (Head kick) at 4:15 of R2
Carlos Diego Ferreira def. Michael Johnson via KO (Punch) at 1:50 of R2
Viacheslav Borschev def. Hayisaer Maheshate via TKO (Punches) at 2:37 of R2
Karolina Kowalkiewicz def. Vanessa Demopoulos via Decision (Unanimous)
Gilbert Urbina def. Orion Cosce via TKO (Front kick and knees) at 2:55 of R2
Rodrigo Nascimento def. Ilir Latifi via Decision (Split)
Chase Hooper def. Nick Fiore via Decision (Unanimous)
Natália Silva def. Victoria Leonardo via TKO (Punches and head kick) at 2:58 of R1
Themba Gorimbo def. Takashi Sato via Decision (Unanimous)
