Serving as the impromptu co-main event of UFC Vegas 15 was Miguel Baeza vs. Takashi Sato. The welterweight bout was promoted to the evening’s co-featured in the wake of Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis falling off the card, care of a positive COVID-19 test for Blaydes.
That meant more eyeballs on Baeza and Sato, a pair of proven finishers both inside and outside of the UFC. The undefeated Baeza was coming off a knockout of “The Immortal” Matt Brown, while Sato had 13 finishes among his 16 wins.
The action opened with both men circling each other, feeling out their opponent. Baeza threw the first strike with a big overhand punch that missed the mark. Sato pushed forward and Baeza fired off a leg kick then followed with a body kick. Sato kept pushing forward and Baeza again fired a body kick before he rushed forward with a combination. Given the pair’s finishing rate, it felt like this bout would not go the distance. Baeza pressed forward and kept working the kicks. Sato looked to land a body shot that Baeza just barely slipped away from. The two exchanged with Sato getting the clinch and Baeza reversing. A low blow on Sato brought a pause to the action, and compared to many a UFC card, it was a light night for those. Action resumed with Baeza going back to the kicks while Sato worked to close the distance with a straight. The pair clashed in close and Baeza got the better of Sato with damage visible under Sato’s right eye. Another quick clash saw Baeza slip and land on the mat but the round came to close before Sato could capitalize.
Sato opened the second round pushing the action but Baeza controlled the center of the cage and looked to counter. Baeza kept the distance and went back to the leg and body kicks as Sato tried to close in. Miguel Baeza landed a hard right that stunned Sato for a moment but Sato continued to press forward. Baeza kept working the leg kick and threw the counter right when Sato tried to close the gap. Baeza then moved forward and landed a nice 1-2 combination before he rushed in for the take down, sending Japan’s Sato to the mat. Baeza quickly took Sato’s back, locked in the hooks and tried to open Sato up for the choke. Baeza transitioned to the side and held the choke; Sato tried to defend but was forced to tap.
First submission win for @Thunder92Baeza!#UFCVegas15 live now on ESPN and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/cFjXJU6U9p
— UFC (@ufc) November 29, 2020
It wasn’t a knockout, but Miguel Baeza finished yet again at UFC Vegas 15.
Official Result: Miguel Baeza def. Takashi Sato by submission (arm triangle), Round 2, 4:28
