Roberto Satoshi Souza “Satoshi”
Lightweight · Brazil · RIZIN
Elite BJJ submission ace with a judo base
Triangles, back-takes and slick submissions
Record & stats
| Division | Lightweight |
|---|---|
| Categories | MMA |
| Promotion | RIZIN |
| Nationality | Brazil |
| Born | São Paulo, Brazil |
| Team | Bonsai Jiu-Jitsu |
| Pro debut | 2013 |
| Height | 180cm5′11″ |
| Reach | 185cm6′1″ |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Age | 36 |
| KO rate | 95% |
| Status | Active |
How the wins come
95% Finish rate- 6 KO/TKO · 30%
- 13 Submission · 65%
- 1 Decision · 5%
Titles & honors
- Former RIZIN Lightweight Champion
Biography
Roberto "Satoshi" de Souza is a Japanese-Brazilian submission ace and former RIZIN Lightweight champion. Born in São Paulo to a Brazilian father and Japanese mother, he moved to Japan in 2007 and is a cornerstone of the Bonsai Jiu-Jitsu family, earning his black belt under his father Adilson and training with brothers Mauricio and Marcos Yoshio de Souza.
A decorated grappler with a judo base, he won the inaugural RIZIN Lightweight title in June 2021 by submitting Tofiq Musayev with a triangle choke, then defended the belt multiple times against fighters such as Johnny Case and Yoshinori Horie.
His reign ended dramatically on New Year's Eve 2025, when short-notice opponent Ilkhom Nozimov landed a 13-second flying knee for the KO. Now 20-4, Souza remains one of RIZIN's most dangerous submission grapplers as he looks to climb back toward the title.
Fight history
- LIlkhom NazimovL KO R1
- WKi Won-binW SUB R1
FAQ
- What promotion does Roberto Satoshi Souza fight for?
- He fights in RIZIN, where he was the inaugural and longtime Lightweight champion.
- What is Roberto Satoshi Souza's record?
- Roberto Satoshi Souza is 20-4 as of June 2026.
- Is Souza still RIZIN lightweight champion?
- No. He lost the title on New Year's Eve 2025, KO'd in 13 seconds by short-notice replacement Ilkhom Nozimov.
- What is Souza known for?
- He is a Bonsai Jiu-Jitsu black belt and one of RIZIN's premier submission grapplers, famed for his triangle chokes.