Preview: UFC on ESPN 12 ‘Poirier vs. Hooker’ Prelims

Welterweights

Takashi Sato (15-3) vs. Ramiz Brahimaj (8-2)

ODDS: Sato (-135), Brahimaj (+115)

Sato is a frustrating fighter. A product of Pancrase, he is patient to a fault, dedicating himself to waiting for the perfect opportunity to spring into action. When he does, he is actually quite effective. Sato is a hard and accurate puncher and a decent wrestler, to boot, but he is willing to give up round after round to get there. He managed to clock Ben Saunders for a knockout in his UFC debut but did not accomplish much in a September loss to Belal Muhammad. Here, he faces an Octagon newcomer in Brahimaj, a recent Legacy Fighting Alliance fixture who looks to be an aggressive grappler first, second and third. Brahimaj should be able to get out to a fast start and put Sato on the mat, but the question then becomes how long he can keep it up if he cannot get an early submission; all but one of his wins have come inside the first round. The pick is for Brahimaj to keep control enough to take a decision in a fight that could go either way.

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