Punahele Soriano

Mixed martial arts career

Early career 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, at PFL Everett against Jon Gover. He won the bout via first-round TKO.

Soriano faced Rafael Celestino on April 6, 2019, at Titan 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, at LFA 52. He won the bout via a first-round rear-naked choke.

Soriano was invited onto Dana White's Contender Series 17 on June 18, 2019, where he faced Jamie 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.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Soriano made his UFC debut against Oskar Piechota on December 14, 2019, at UFC 245. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.

Soriano faced fellow undefeated DWCS alumni Duško Todorović on January 16, 2021, at UFC on ABC 1. He won the bout, getting the TKO at the end of the first round.

Soriano was scheduled to face Anthony Hernandez on June 26, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 190. The pairing was previously scheduled to take place in May 2020 at UFC 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 by Brendan Allen, with the new matchup taking place a month later at UFC on ESPN 27. Soriano lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Soriano faced Nick Maximov on February 5, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 200. He lost the fight via split decision. 12 out of 16 media scores gave it to Maximov.

Soriano faced Dalcha Lungiambula on July 16, 2022 at UFC on ABC 3. He won the fight via knockout in the second round. This win earned Soriano his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

Soriano faced Roman Kopylov on January 14, 2023 at UFC 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 at UFC on ABC 5. However, on June 15 it was announced that Soriano pulled out due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Cody Brundage.

Soriano faced Dustin Stoltzfus on December 2, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 52. He lost the fight via rear-naked choke in round two.

Soriano faced Miguel Baeza in his welterweight division debut on June 8, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 57. After landing a record number of ground strikes, he won the fight by unanimous decision.

Soriano faced Uroš Medić on January 11, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 249. He won the fight by knockout early in the first round.

Soriano faced Nikolay Veretennikov on October 4, 2025, at UFC 320. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Soriano faced Ramiz Brahimaj on February 21, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 267. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Soriano is scheduled to face Daniil Donchenko on September 5, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 287.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (One time) Most significant ground strikes landed in a UFC welterweight bout (136) (vs. Miguel Baeza) Most total ground strikes landed in a UFC welterweight bout (317) (vs. Miguel Baeza) Most total strikes landed in a round in UFC history (184 in R3) (vs. Miguel Baeza)

Mixed martial arts record Win

Ramiz Brahimaj Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Hernandez

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Nikolay Veretennikov Decision (unanimous) UFC 320

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Uroš Medić KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Ribas 2

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Miguel Baeza Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Imavov

Louisville, Kentucky, United States Loss

Dustin Stoltzfus Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Dariush vs. Tsarukyan

Austin, Texas, United States Loss

Roman Kopylov TKO (body kick and punches) UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Imavov

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Dalcha Lungiambula KO (punches) UFC on ABC: Ortega vs. Rodríguez

Elmont, New York, United States Loss

Nick Maximov Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Strickland

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Brendan Allen Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Duško Todorović TKO (punches) UFC on ABC: Holloway vs. Kattar

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Oskar Piechota KO (punch) UFC 245

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Jamie Pickett Decision (unanimous) Dana White's Contender Series 17

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Jhonoven Pati Submission (rear-naked choke) LFA 52

Belton, Texas, United States Win

James Horne TKO (punches) V3 Fights 69

Memphis, Tennessee, United States Win

Rafael Celestino KO (punches) Titan FC 49

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Win

Jon Gover TKO (punches) PFL Everett

Everett, Washington, United States Win

Jon Ferrell Submission (rear-naked choke) X-1 World Events 45

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States