SCRAPP! FIGHT MAGAZINE
July - 2016
47
weight title challenger. Of course,
that title shot against T.J. Dillashaw
came with just a day’s notice, after
challenger Renan Barao was injured
the day of weigh-ins. Soto stepped
up, and made it to the fifth round
against the champ before falling to
a head kick and follow-up strikes.
Despite the loss, many saw the
fight as a big success for Soto, who
most expected to be steamrolled in
the fight. The fact that he held his
own for five rounds against the top
fighter in the world at the time —
well, that was a good sign.
Of course, Soto has had a history
of success. He was a featherweight
champion in Bellator earlier in his
career, eventually losing the title
to Joe Warren. He was also a ban-
tamweight champ in Taichi Pal-
ace Fights, a promotion known as
a hotbed for talent in the smaller
weight classes.
Then came the UFC, and his big
opportunity. Coming off the Dil-
lashaw loss, Soto just needed a win
to establish himself.
It didn’t come. He lost to Antho-
ny Birchak, a shocking first round
knockout. Then, in January of this
year, he dropped a split decision
to Michinori Tanaka. Suddenly, Joe
Soto was looking to be less a prom-
ising fighter, and more the answer
to a strange MMA trivia question:
which fighter fought for a UFC title
without ever earning a win in the
promotion?
That question, at least, no longer
has Soto as the answer. With his
win over Beal, he has the win un-
der his belt, and the monkey off his
back. Even more satisfying, it came
by way of a submission finish in the
third round, on a night where a re-
cord for third round finishes was
set, in Ottawa’s first UFC card. Not
too shabby, and a much better talk-
ing point than his losses.
Now, Soto can move forward, build
himself back up, and maybe down
the line, once again work himself
back into the title picture.
Baby steps.
