Ulka Sasaki
Active 2014–present · rated in 2 editions · peak overall 70.0
Scouting report
Ulka Sasaki competed across the bantamweight and flyweight divisions. Originating from Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan, the former Shooto Pacific Rim champion won multiple fights by rear-naked choke, reflected in an 84 BJJ and 80 Cardio.
Peak ratings
By edition
Sasaki dropped to flyweight in 2016, submitting Willie Gates with a rear-naked choke in Rotterdam. In 2017, he submitted Justin Scoggins via second-round choke at UFC Fight Night 111 in Singapore while losing a decision to Wilson Reis and a first-round rear-naked choke to Jussier Formiga. His back-take ability and submission offense are reflected in his 84 BJJ and 80 Cardio.
In 2018, Sasaki defeated Jenel Lausa by rear-naked choke submission at UFC Fight Night 132 in Singapore before losing to Alexandre Pantoja by first-round submission at UFC Fight Night 140 in Buenos Aires. His guard submission setups and mat scrambling against ranked contenders across the Asian and South American circuits are reflected in his 84 BJJ and 74 Fight IQ.
Ulka Sasaki, the Shizuoka wrestler who choked out Justin Scoggins after taking damage
Ulka Sasaki was born and raised in Shizuoka and started wrestling and jiu-jitsu young. He wrestled for three seasons at Hiryu High School, placed in the top 16 at the All-Japan high school Greco-Roman championships, and in 2009 won the All-Japan Combat Wrestling Open at under 66 kg. He also took second at the All-Japan Amateur Shooto Championships that year. In a draft he is a grappler who once sank a second-round choke after taking damage.
Sasaki, attribute by attribute
Boxing. A basic 68, tied for his lowest.
Kickboxing. Also 68. Taylor Lapilus stopped him by TKO in the second round in 2015.
Wrestling. A solid 72. He won the All-Japan Combat Wrestling Open at under 66 kg in 2009.
BJJ. The top of his card at 84. He submitted Roland Delorme in the first round of his debut, Willie Gates in the second and Jenel Lausa with a rear-naked choke in round two.
Strength. A modest 68, the third number tied for his lowest.
Durability. A fair 72. He absorbed almost two rounds of damage against Justin Scoggins before finishing him.
Cardio. A good 80. Several of his wins came in the second round.
Fight IQ. A fair 74. He knew how to switch to the finish when a chance appeared.
BJJ at 84 is the whole plan
His grappling is the standout rating by four points. He won Performance of the Night for the Delorme submission and again for coming back on Justin Scoggins after nearly two rounds of damage, sinking a rear-naked choke in round two. He also beat Keisuke Fujiwara with a rear-naked choke in 2014. If the fight is close in the second round, the choke is there.
Striking and strength are tied at 68
His boxing, kickboxing and strength ratings all sit at 68, so a striker who keeps distance can hurt him. Taylor Lapilus stopped him by TKO in 2015, and later fights against Leandro Issa, Jussier Formiga and Alexandre Pantoja ended in submission losses. He has to survive early and get to a grappling exchange.
Keep exploring
Closest flyweight profiles to Ulka Sasaki, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Louis Smolkabest cardio 82 · weakest strength 69
- Matt Schnellbest bjj 82 · weakest strength 68
- Rogerio Bontorinbest bjj 84 · weakest strength 73
- Ben Nguyenbest cardio 82 · weakest strength 68
- Flyweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Ulka Sasaki's strongest attribute, BJJ.
Draft Ulka Sasaki into your build
Ulka Sasaki enters the pool on any spin landing on flyweight between 2016 and 2019. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Ulka Sasaki is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Ulka Sasaki's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.