| Roberto de Souza | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Roberto Satoshi de Souza (1989-09-19)September 19, 1989 (age 36) São Paulo, Brazil |
| Nationality | Japanese Brazilian(expatriate) |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 156 lb (71 kg; 11 st 2 lb) |
| Division | Lightweight |
| Reach | 73 in (185 cm) |
| Style | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu,Submission Wrestling,Judo |
| Fighting out of | Iwata, Japan |
| Team | Bonsai Jiu-Jitsu |
| Rank | Black Belt inBrazilian jiu-jitsu |
| Years active | 2013–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 24 |
| Wins | 20 |
| By knockout | 6 |
| By submission | 13 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Losses | 4 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Notable relatives | Marcos Yoshio de Souza (brother) |
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men'sBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu | ||
Representing Brazil | ||
| World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship | ||
 | 2012 California | 76kg |
| 2014 California | 76kg |
| Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship | ||
 | 2012 Abu Dhabi | 76kg |
| 2014 Abu Dhabi | 76kg |
| 2015 Abu Dhabi | 76kg |
| European Jiu-Jitsu Championship | ||
| 2012 Lisbon | 76kg |
| Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship | ||
| 2014 Tokyo | 76kg |
| 2015 Tokyo | 76kg |
Representing Japan | ||
| World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship | ||
 | 2017 California | 76kg |
| Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship | ||
| 2016 Abu Dhabi | 76kg |
| Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship | ||
| 2016 Tokyo | 82kg |
Roberto de Souza | |
|---|---|
| YouTube information | |
| Channel | |
| Years active | 2021-present |
| Genre | entertainment |
| Subscribers | 21 thousand |
| Views | 1.94 million |
| Last updated: 24 December 2022[needs update] | |
Roberto Satoshi de Souza (ホベルト・サトシ・ジ・ソウザ,Roberuto Satoshi Ji Souza; born September 19, 1989) is aJapanese-Brazilianmixed martial artist who competes in theLightweight division ofRizin Fighting Federation, where he is a formerRizin Lightweight champion.
Roberto Satoshi de Souza was born on September 19, 1989, in Sao Paulo, Brazil to a Brazilian father and Japanese mother and began practicing martial arts with his father at a young age, starting with Judo and later progressing to Jiu-Jitsu. He quickly gained success in the junior divisions of BJJ, winning multiple championships including the World Championship in both his weight category and the open weight category. However, after 2006, the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship was held in California, US and Roberto struggled to secure sponsorships to compete abroad, leading to a temporary absence from the sport. He returned in 2009 and had a successful run for the world title. Roberto later visited Japan to see his brother Mauricio, who had opened an academy there, and decided to stay permanently. To make ends meet, he worked in factories before eventually being able to make a living through competing and teaching Jiu-Jitsu. On May 1, 2011, Roberto received his black belt from his father, Adilson de Souza, who died from an illness shortly after the ceremony.[1][2][3][4]
He is married to a fellowJapanese Brazilian, Yuri Suzuki de Souza, and has two daughters.[3]
In July 2006, he won the Sao Paulo jiu-jitsu championship in two classes, blue belt medio class and absolute class. In September 2007, he came to Japan following his older brothers Mauricio Dai Souza and Marcos Yoshio Souza, and moved toHamamatsu City ,Shizuoka Prefecture at the age of 18. When he first came to Japan, he worked as a factory worker while practicing and teaching at a bull terrier martial arts gym with his two older brothers.[5][6]
On December 2, 2007, Satoshi participated in the DEEP X 02 Real King Tournament in the 76 kg class, winning the championship after defeating Takayuki Muramatsu, Kei Ouchi, and Sotaro Yamada in successive rounds.
In June 2009 and 2010, Satoshi won the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in the purple and brown belt Lightweight categories, respectively.
On October 10, 2010, the subject participated in the DEEP X 06 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Super Tournament in the 75 kg class, defeating three black belt holders, Kei Ochi, Tetsuya Kondo, and Koji Shimazaki to win the championship.
In May 2011, Satoshi was awarded a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by their father.
In April 2012, Satoshi won the gold medals at the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship in the black belt Lightweight, defeatingDavi Ramos andLucas Lepri.[7][8]
FacingJake Shields on November 22, 2014, at Metamorphis 5, Satoshi drew with Shields as time expired,[9] before returning at Metamoris 6 on May 9, 2015, where he facedClark Gracie and drew once again due to time expiration.
In June 2017, the subject facedLucas Lepri in the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship black belt lightweight final, but withdrew due to a shoulder injury and finished as runner-up.
On June 9, 2018, Satoshi participated in QUINTET FIGHT NIGHT in TOKYO as part of "TEAM HALEO", defeatingDaisuke Nakamura, David Garmo, and Yoshihiko Matsumoto before going to a timed daw with Masahiro Iwasaki.[10] On October 5, 2018, the subject participated in QUINTET.3 as part of "TEAM SAKURABA", drawing withGordon Ryan of TEAM ALPHA MALE.[11]
He made his mixed martial arts debut on October 20, 2013, at the Real Fight MMA Championship 3 in China, before winning his sophomore performance against Doo Je Jung in December 2014 via rear-naked choke. On December 5, 2015, he facedRyuki Ueyama in the first round of the REAL.3 super lightweight (74.2 kg) throne decision tournament, winning by arm-triangle choke. On March 12, 2016, he faced Yuta Kaneko in the semi-finals of the REAL.4 Super Lightweight Championship Tournament and won by TKO via ground and pound. On June 12, 2016, he faced Pat Ayuyu in the final of the REAL Super Lightweight Tournament, successfully winning the title and the tournament via first round armbar submission.[12]
After winning two bouts under the Arzalet banner via first round rear-naked chokes, Satoshi made hisRizin FF debut on April 21, 2019, when he facedSatoru Kitaoka atRizin 15, winning by TKO in the second round via ground and pound.[13]
On July 28, 2019, he facedMizuto Hirota atRizin 17 and won by knockout in the first round. During his post-fight mic performance , he yelled, "This is not UFC, this is RIZIN! "[14]
On October 12, 2019, he facedJohnny Case in theLightweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal atRizin 19. He received an eye-poke in his left eye, and was tapped out 75 seconds after the start of the match. It was the first loss of his career.[15]
On August 9, 2020, he faced Yusuke Yaji atRizin 22 and won by first round TKO stoppage.[16]
Satoshi facedKazuki Tokudome atRizin 27 on March 21, 2021. After getting taken down, he quickly submitted Tokudome via triangle choke in the first round.[17]
On June 13, 2021, he faced RIZIN Lightweight World Grand Prix ChampionTofiq Musayev for the inauguralRizin Lightweight Championship atRizin 28 . In the 1st round, he won the ippon with a triangular choke and succeeded in winning his first title. During the national anthem before the bout, he choseKimigayo instead of the Brazilian national anthem.[18]
On December 31, 2021, he rematched the challenger Yusuke Yaji in the RIZIN lightweight title match atRizin 33. He made his first successful defense of the throne .[19]
On April 17, 2022, in the RIZIN lightweight title match ofRizin 35, he rematched the challengerJohnny Case for the first time in about two and a half years, and won in the first round via reverse triangle armbar. Succeeded in his revenge and successfully defended the title for the second time.[20]
Satoshi faced formerBellator Featherweight World ChampionA. J. McKee in a non-title bout atBellator MMA vs. Rizin on December 31, 2022.[21] Although there were many submission attempts made by de Souza, McKee had more offense and won the bout by unanimous decision.[22][23]
Satoshi facedSpike Carlyle in a non-title bout atRizin 42 on May 6, 2023.[24] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[25]
Replacing an injuredA.J. McKee, de Souza faced formerBellator Lightweight World ChampionPatricky Pitbull in theBellator Lightweight World Grand Prix Quarter-Final as part ofBellator MMA x Rizin 2 on July 30, 2023.[26] He lost the bout by a leg kick technical knockout.[27]
Satoshi foughtKeita Nakamura in a non-title bout in the main event ofRIZIN Landmark 9 on March 23, 2024.[28] He won the fight by corner stoppage in the first round after dropping Nakamura with a head kick.[29]
Souza defended the RIZIN FF lightweight title against Luiz Gustavo atRIZIN 48 on September 29, 2024.[30] He won the bout via technical knockout 21 second into the first round.[31]
Souza defended the RIZIN FF lightweight title against formerRizin Featherweight Champion Vugar Karamov atRizin 49 on December 31, 2024. He won the bout via triangle choke submission in the first round.[32]
Souza faced Ki Won-bin in a non-title bout atRizin World Series in Korea on May 31, 2025, and won via technical submission in the first round.[33]
Souza defended the RIZIN lightweight title against Yoshinori Horie atRizin 51 on September 28, 2025.[34] He won the bout via submission in the first round.[35]
Souza facedIlkhom Nozimov atRizin: Shiwasu no Cho Tsuwamono Matsuri on December 31, 2025.[36] He lost the title by KO in the first round.[37]
| 24 matches | 20 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 3 |
| By submission | 13 | 0 |
| By decision | 1 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 20–4 | Ilkhom Nozimov | KO (knee) | Rizin: Shiwasu no Cho Tsuwamono Matsuri | December 31, 2025 | 1 | 0:13 | Saitama, Japan | Lost theRizin Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 20–3 | Yoshinori Horie | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Rizin 51 | September 28, 2025 | 1 | 1:40 | Nagoya, Japan | Defended theRizin Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 19–3 | Ki Won-bin | Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) | Rizin World Series in Korea | May 31, 2025 | 1 | 0:50 | Incheon, South Korea | Non-title bout. |
| Win | 18–3 | Vugar Karamov | Submission (triangle choke) | Rizin 49 | December 31, 2024 | 1 | 4:45 | Saitama, Japan | Defended theRizin Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 17–3 | Luiz Gustavo | TKO (punches) | Rizin 48 | September 29, 2024 | 1 | 0:21 | Saitama, Japan | Defended theRizin Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 16–3 | Keita Nakamura | TKO (corner stoppage) | Rizin Landmark 9 | March 23, 2024 | 1 | 1:43 | Kobe, Japan | Non-title bout. |
| Loss | 15–3 | Patricky Pitbull | TKO (leg kick) | Bellator MMA x Rizin 2 | July 30, 2023 | 3 | 0:49 | Saitama, Japan | Catchweight (161 lb) bout.Bellator Lightweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 15–2 | Spike Carlyle | Decision (unanimous) | Rizin 42 | May 6, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Non-title bout. |
| Loss | 14–2 | A. J. McKee | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator MMA vs. Rizin | December 31, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | Non-title bout. |
| Win | 14–1 | Johnny Case | Submission (reverse triangle armbar) | Rizin 35 | April 17, 2022 | 1 | 3:32 | Chōfu, Japan | Defended theRizin Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 13–1 | Yusuke Yachi | Submission (triangle choke) | Rizin 33 | December 31, 2021 | 2 | 3:30 | Saitama, Japan | Defended theRizin Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 12–1 | Tofiq Musayev | Submission (triangle choke) | Rizin 28 | June 13, 2021 | 1 | 1:12 | Tokyo, Japan | Won the inauguralRizin Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 11–1 | Kazuki Tokudome | Submission (triangle choke) | Rizin 27 | March 21, 2021 | 1 | 1:44 | Nagoya, Japan | |
| Win | 10–1 | Yusuke Yachi | TKO (punches) | Rizin 22 | August 9, 2020 | 1 | 1:52 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Loss | 9–1 | Johnny Case | TKO (punch) | Rizin 19 | October 12, 2019 | 1 | 1:15 | Osaka, Japan | 2019 Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 9–0 | Mizuto Hirota | KO (punches) | Rizin 17 | July 28, 2019 | 1 | 3:05 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 8–0 | Satoru Kitaoka | TKO (punches) | Rizin 15 | April 21, 2019 | 2 | 3:56 | Yokohama, Japan | Lightweight debut. |
| Win | 7–0 | Baek Seung-dae | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Arzalet Fighting 4 | November 24, 2018 | 1 | 1:06 | Seoul, South Korea | Catchweight (164 lb) bout. |
| Win | 6–0 | Thiago Oliveira | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Arzalet Fighting 2 | October 21, 2017 | 1 | 3:00 | Curitiba, Brazil | |
| Win | 5–0 | Pat Ayuyu | Submission (armbar) | Real Fight Championship 5 | June 12, 2016 | 1 | 1:54 | Tokyo, Japan | Won the RFC Super Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 4–0 | Yuta Kaneko | TKO (punches) | Real Fight Championship 4 | March 12, 2016 | 1 | 2:06 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 3–0 | Ryuki Ueyama | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Real Fight Championship 3 | December 5, 2015 | 1 | 2:13 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Win | 2–0 | Jung Doo-je | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Real Fight Championship 1 | December 23, 2014 | 1 | 1:05 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 1–0 | Nuerla Murati | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Real Fight MMA Championship 3 | October 20, 2013 | 1 | 2:37 | Beijing, China | Super Lightweight debut. |