TAKENORI SATO, Welterweight King of Pancrase is UFC bound in February

Takenori Sato, the reigning Welterweight King of Pancrase, has signed with the UFC and will make his debut at UFC Fight Night 36 against Erick Silva on February 15, 2014.
Sato (26-18-3), becomes the latest Pancrase fighter to ascend into the international promotion. He first attempted to gain the King of Pancrase belt at middleweight in 2009, then dropped to welterweight and launched a four-year undefeated career that has seen him gain and defend the title a whopping six times. Sato’s background with the indomitable Sakuraba, and his own DEEP Future King tournament win in 2004, have made him an icon of the Japanese MMA scene.

Sato’s last outing was a very quick kimura over a last-minute fill-in at DEEP’s Tribe Tokyo event, celebrating Ryo Chonan’s retirement bout. Prior to that, his last title defense was as the main event for Pancrase 247 against Shingo Suzuki. A hip throw by Sato landed both fighters on the cement outside the ring – so he’ll be very happy to make the transition to the Octagon cage. Sato ended that defense succinctly with a sickeningly wrenched key lock. His judo will be fun to watch as he climbs onto the international stage.
Sato makes his debut due to Silva’s original opponent Nate Loughran being injured. This is reminiscent of Pancrase title contender Motonobu Tezuka’s UFC entrance when he stepped in for an injured Kyung Ho Kang to face Alex Caceres at UFC Fuel TV 6. In 2013, it was another former Pancrase title contender Kazuki Tokudome who got the call.

http://mma-in-asia.com/region/japan/takenori-sato-welterweight-king-of-pancrase-is-ufc-bound-in-february/

Sato could be a threat in the UFC WW division.

26-18-3? Jesus christ, I don't think that's accurate at all lol.

No surprise, Sato has been looking to go elsewhere for the last year or so and has pretty much beat nearly everyone there is to offer outside of Yuya Shirai. Best of luck to him.

hmmm backdoor to zuffa, more like back door for dana, you sneaky spy.