Kicking off the main card at UFC 262 was a name not seen inside the octagon since 2015: Sean Soriano. Going up against California’s Christos Giagos, Soriano was returning to the promotion after a nine-fight stretch on the regional scene, with wins his last three outings.
However, it was a win over former Bellator and UFC competitor Noad Lahat that punched Soriano’s return ticket earlier this year. Giagos, meanwhile, was looking for his second straight win.
Soriano took the middle of the octagon first on Saturday, and backed Giagos up. The crowd let their approval be known, though arguably fewer fans turned out early than at UFC 261 last month, the first show back with spectators in attendance.
Giagos cracked Soriano with his first punch, however, and almost dropped him. Soriano came back and dropped Giagos with a low kick. Giagos took Soriano down, but Soriano popped right back up. Giagos tagged Soriano with a right hand again. Both fighters exchanged punches, but it was Soriano who landed a nasty left hook that wobbled Giagos. Soriano didn’t pounce and landed another hard left hand. Soriano was poked in the eye, which halted the action. Soriano took about 45 seconds, and the action resumed. Soriano landed another left hand that stung Giagos. With roughly 50 seconds left in the round, Soriano landed a nasty 1-2. As time wound down, Soriano threw a high kick that partially landed. Giagos got a takedown to end the round. It was a very fun first round.
Soriano retook the center to start round two. Giagos barely missed a heavy right hand. Giagos took Soriano down, and Soriano reversed the takedown to a single leg which then gave Giagos a D’Arce choke — which before long put Soriano to sleep.
PUT. HIM. OUT. 😤@CGiagos just made a statement in RD 2!
[ #UFC262 | Early prelims on @UFCFightPass & #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/zTqtOekcE9
— UFC (@ufc) May 15, 2021
“When Dana White offers a $75,000 bonus, you’ve got to show up, know what I’m saying?” Giagos exclaimed after the fight. The win is the Californian’s second straight, and while it may not be enough to land a big fish like Cowboy, Giagos did call out Donald Cerrone following the victory.
Official Result: Christos Giagos def. Sean Soriano via submission (D’Arce choke) Round 2, 3:59
