Ramiz is not a good fighter thats been rushed into the UFC. He's got alright BJJ, aka he's a decent purple belt, but his wrestling is all muscling guys down in the clinch and he has about 5 minutes of cardio cause he has no idea how to manage his energy and has zero efficiency in what he does. Belal and Glaico Franca who subbed Sato before have way better cardio and grappling, Belal sets up and chains TD attempts together well and struggling to get Sato down even when he had solid position on him. Likewise it took Franca until R4 to find the finish.
Sato has way better cardio and striking, solid TDD especially in the clinch where Ramiz tries to force all his TDs. Sato has a judo background hence him being awkward to get down in the clinch, even when guys get the bodylock he knows how to stay heavy and is tough to move. He also hits solid TDs of his own in the clinch which wouldn't be surprising here with how reckless Ramiz is, and when he gets on top Sato has solid ground and pound.
The big concern is that Sato gives up his back constantly, but even Belal whose a solid backtaker struggled to consistently capitalise on that and Sato still fights hands well if guys get on the back. If Ramiz had cardio it'd be more concerning but the vast majority of his win path to muscle a takedown, get on the back and get the RNC all in the first round otherwise he's going to gas hard and get smashed. Such a limited win path shouldn't equal close odds. Of course if Ramiz does win it's likely early and he looks great, plus he's had a bit of a layoff so might have improved, but based on the tape Sato should be more favoured. It's a UFC level fighter against a guy who has been forcing quick submissions over cans on the regional circuit and whose shown clear inexperience and massive holes in his game vs sub-UFC level competition.
