This paper presents a new direct discrete-time design methodology of a robust sampled-data fuzzy controller for a class of nonlinear system with parametric uncertainties that is exactly represented by Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy model. Based on an exact discrete-time fuzzy model in an integral form, sufficient conditions for a robust asymptotic stabilization of the nonlinear system are investigated in the discrete-time Lyapunov sense. It is shown that the resulting sampled-data controller indeed robustly asymptotically stabilizes the nonlinear plant. To illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology, an example, a sampled-data depth control of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) is provided.