One of two middleweight fights on the UFC Long Island preliminary card on Saturday featured hard-hitters Dalcha Lungiambula and Punahele Soriano.
The explosive pair was positioned as the featured preliminary fight, with both looking to snap two-fight skids.
Before all was said and done, Puna Power made a reappearance in a fight that was every bit as incendiary as expected.
Both fighters took the center of the octagon after a touch of gloves. A high kick from Soriano opened up the fight. Both fighters exchanged big punches. Soriano shot for a takedown but was stuffed. A left hand from Soriano missed. A straight right Lungiambula backed Sorinao up. Lungiambula landed a calf kick that dropped Soriano, and Lungiambula went for a choke. After a couple of seconds, Lungiambula let Soriano back up. An uppercut from Lungiambula landed on his opponent’s body. Lungiambula landed another calf kick. Soriano landed a punch that rocked Lungiambula, which forced Lungiambula to shoot for a takedown successfully. Lungiambula landed a suplex, but Soriano got right back up. The round ended with Lungiambula clinched with Soriano.
As round two started, the commentary team pointed out that Lungiambula had a rib protruding. Lungiambula landed a body kick but was countered with a left hook from Soriano that put him down and then another right hand landed to finish him off.
Soriano snapped his two-fight losing streak with his knockout win over Lungiambula. And probably made a meme of himself with his post-fight celebration.
This guy's out of his mind #UFCLongIsland pic.twitter.com/3j2AN1D2MX
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) July 16, 2022
Official Result: Punahele Soriano def. Dalcha Lungiambula by knockout (punches), Round 2, 0:28
