Punahele Soriano
Story Time
USA
Continues roll at welterweight
Soriano defeated Nikolay Veretennikov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) at UFC 320 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Soriano employed the wrestling-heavy game plan that was expected from him and ended up with an easy victory as a result. He landed 4-of-11 takedown attempts, good for a whopping 12:35 worth of control time. The total strike count was 163-34 in Puna's favor, although only 39 of those were deemed "significant." Soriano has looked like a different guy since dropping down to welterweight in June 2024. He's 3-0 at 170 pounds, and it's not surprising his grappling advances are more much effective at the smaller weight class.
Soriano employed the wrestling-heavy game plan that was expected from him and ended up with an easy victory as a result. He landed 4-of-11 takedown attempts, good for a whopping 12:35 worth of control time. The total strike count was 163-34 in Puna's favor, although only 39 of those were deemed "significant." Soriano has looked like a different guy since dropping down to welterweight in June 2024. He's 3-0 at 170 pounds, and it's not surprising his grappling advances are more much effective at the smaller weight class.
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Fighting Veretennikov
Soriano will fight Nikolay Veretennikov at UFC 320 on Oct. 4, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Soriano will look to remain perfect at welterweight, boasting a 2-0 record since making the switch from middleweight. He'll face Veretennikov in UFC 320, who's coming off his first UFC victory and has a 1-2 record in UFC.
Soriano will look to remain perfect at welterweight, boasting a 2-0 record since making the switch from middleweight. He'll face Veretennikov in UFC 320, who's coming off his first UFC victory and has a 1-2 record in UFC.
Remains perfect at welterweight
Soriano defeated Uros Medic via KO (punches) at 0:31 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It's not a stretch to say that Soriano's move from middleweight to welterweight has saved his career. He lost four of five at 185 pounds from July 2021 to December 2023 before moving down to 170 pounds last June. He dominated Miguel Baeza via unanimous decision that evening before dispatching Medic instantly here with one huge right hand. Soriano turned 32 years of age in November, so it remains to be seen how real this recent stretch is, but it's undoubtedly extended the run of a guy that appeared to be just about out of time.
It's not a stretch to say that Soriano's move from middleweight to welterweight has saved his career. He lost four of five at 185 pounds from July 2021 to December 2023 before moving down to 170 pounds last June. He dominated Miguel Baeza via unanimous decision that evening before dispatching Medic instantly here with one huge right hand. Soriano turned 32 years of age in November, so it remains to be seen how real this recent stretch is, but it's undoubtedly extended the run of a guy that appeared to be just about out of time.
Set to fight Medic
Soriano will fight Uros Medic at UFC Vegas 101 on Jan. 11, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Despite prevailing victorious over Miguel Baeza during his most recent bout, Soriano remains 2-4 over his last six fights. If he's unable to put forth a strong showing against Medic, who has won three of his last four, Soriano's future with the UFC may be in jeopardy.
Despite prevailing victorious over Miguel Baeza during his most recent bout, Soriano remains 2-4 over his last six fights. If he's unable to put forth a strong showing against Medic, who has won three of his last four, Soriano's future with the UFC may be in jeopardy.
Pitches shutout of Miguel Baeza
Soriano defeated Miguel Baeza via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-27) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Louisville, Kentucky.
ANALYSIS
Soriano's move from middleweight down to welterweight resulted in one of the most dominant performances in recent UFC history. Over the course of the 15-minute bout, Puna closed with a 331-22 edge in terms of total strikes landed, including a 144-7 advantage in significant strikes. He also landed 5-of-6 takedown attempts, good for 10:58 worth of control time. You read the numbers, and it makes you wonder what the one judge that scored the fight 30-27 was looking at. You will never find a more lopsided three-round fight than this one. Soriano's next challenge will be putting forth a solid effort his next time out. His 2-4 record in his past half-dozen bouts suggests that far from a guarantee.
Soriano's move from middleweight down to welterweight resulted in one of the most dominant performances in recent UFC history. Over the course of the 15-minute bout, Puna closed with a 331-22 edge in terms of total strikes landed, including a 144-7 advantage in significant strikes. He also landed 5-of-6 takedown attempts, good for 10:58 worth of control time. You read the numbers, and it makes you wonder what the one judge that scored the fight 30-27 was looking at. You will never find a more lopsided three-round fight than this one. Soriano's next challenge will be putting forth a solid effort his next time out. His 2-4 record in his past half-dozen bouts suggests that far from a guarantee.
Scheduled for welterweight fight
Soriano is scheduled to compete against Miguel Baeza in a welterweight fight at the UFC Apex's June 8 event, per Mike Heck of MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
After logging only one win across his last five fights, Soriano will drop a weight class in the hopes of finding some success. For his first bout, he is scheduled against an experienced veteran but one coming off a two-year layoff after a three-fight losing streak.
After logging only one win across his last five fights, Soriano will drop a weight class in the hopes of finding some success. For his first bout, he is scheduled against an experienced veteran but one coming off a two-year layoff after a three-fight losing streak.