Punahele Soriano

Punahele Soriano(born November 22, 1992) is an Americanmixed martial artistwho competes in theWelterweightdivision of theUltimate Fighting Championship. A professional since 2017, he has also fought in thePFLandTitan FC.
As a senior atKahuku High SchoolinLaie, Hawaii, on the North Shore ofOahu, Soriano was the 171-pound state wrestling champion, after placing third in the state as a junior. In addition to being a high school state champion in wrestling, he was a high school state judo champion. He went on to wrestle Division-III atWartburg Collegein Iowa, where he earned All-America honors at the 2014 NCAAs by placing seventh in the 197-pound bracket, in the process becoming the first qualifier from Hawaii.
Soriano's interest in MMA started through friend and current UFC fighterDan Ige, who invited Soriano to help train MMA fighters in wrestling.
Soriano compiled an amateur record of 4–0, from 2015 until 2016.After making his professional debut in Hawaii on January 28, 2017, at X-1 World Events 45, and getting a first-round submission win, Soriano made his Middleweight and mainland debut on July 29, 2017, atPFL Everettagainst Jon Gover. He won the bout via first-round TKO.
Soriano faced Rafael Celestino on April 6, 2019, atTitan FC 49. He won the bout via knockout in under a minute.
After picking up a TKO win in just 45 seconds at V3 Fights 69 against James Horne, Soriano faced Jhonoven Pati on October 19, 2018, atLFA 52. He won the bout via a first-round rear-naked choke.
Soriano was invited ontoDana White's Contender Series 17on June 18, 2019, where he facedJamie Pickett. He won the bout via unanimous decision, getting a UFC contract in the process and going past the first round for the first time in his MMA career.
Soriano made his UFC debut againstOskar Piechotaon December 14, 2019, atUFC 245.He won the fight via knockout in the first round.
Soriano faced fellow undefeated DWCS alumniDuško Todorovićon January 16, 2021, atUFC on ABC: Holloway vs. Kattar. He won the bout, getting the TKO at the end of the first round.
Soriano was scheduled to faceAnthony Hernandezon June 26, 2021, atUFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Volkov.The pairing was previously scheduled to take place in May 2020 atUFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris, but Soriano pulled out due to undisclosed reasons.In turn, Hernandez pulled out in late May due to a hand injury and was replaced byBrendan Allen, with the new matchup taking place a month later atUFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw.Soriano lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Soriano facedNick Maximovon February 5, 2022 atUFC Fight Night 200.He lost the fight via split decision.12 out of 16 media scores gave it to Maximov.
Soriano facedDalcha Lungiambulaon July 16, 2022 atUFC on ABC 3.He won the fight via knockout in the second round.This win earned Soriano his firstPerformance of the Nightbonus award.
Soriano facedRoman Kopylovon January 14, 2023 atUFC Fight Night 217.He lost the fight via technical knockout in the second round.
Soriano was scheduled to face Sedriques Dumas on June 24, 2023 atUFC on ABC 5.However, on June 15 it was announced that Soriano pulled out due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced byCody Brundage.
Soriano facedDustin Stoltzfuson December 2, 2023, atUFC on ESPN 52.He lost the fight via rear-naked choke in round two.
Soriano facedMiguel Baezain his welterweight division debut on June 8, 2024 atUFC on ESPN 57.After landing a record number of ground strikes, he won the fight by unanimous decision.
Soriano facedUroš Medićon January 11, 2025 atUFC Fight Night 249.He won the fight by knockout early in the first round.