Takenori Sato is a Japanese mixed martial artist fighting in the welterweight division. Sato has been a long time follower of Kazushi Sakuraba, leaving the Takada Dojo with Sakuraba in April 2006 and was one of the initial members of the Laughter7 gym that was founded by Sakuraba in September 2007.

Sato is also the current Welterweight King of Pancrase, having defeated former champion Kengo Ura for the title via kimura in the first round at Pancrase - Impressive Tour 1. Sato's first defense came against Sojiro Orui at Pancrase - Impressive Tour 5. Sato defeated Orui via unanimous decision to retain his title. Sato then fought Eiji Ishikawa to a draw at Pancrase - Impressive Tour 10 for his second defense, once againe retaining his title. In his third defense, Sato defeated Kiichi Kunimoto via unanimous decision at Pancrase - Progress Tour 3. Sato then defended his title in a rematch against Keiichiro Yamamiya at Pancrase - Progress Tour 10. Sato avenged his loss to Yamamiya via unanimous decision and retained his title for a fourth time. On May 19, 2013 Sato defended his title for a fifth time against Shingo Suzuki. He defeated Suzuki via keylock in the third round to retain the belt.

After successfully defending his title, Sato would defeat Islam Galayev via kimura at Deep: Tribe Tokyo Fight on October 20, 2013. 

Sato would then sign with the UFC and made his promotional debut at UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Mousasi on February 15, 2014. He was swiftly defeated by his opponent, Erik Silva, losing via TKO in under a minute. Sato would then lose his second consecutive UFC bout when he suffered another TKO loss at the elbows of Hyun Gyu Lim at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson, this fight lasting only twenty-six seconds longer than his fight with Silva.