If there was ever any doubt about Joe Soto’s credentials, after the main event of UFC 177, those doubts would have been washed away.
At the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, in front of a pay-per-view audience and those in attendance, Soto delivered a gutsy performance that won the hearts of many although he came up short against champ T.J. Dillashaw in their Bantamweight title tussle.
UFC 177 Results: TJ Dillashaw knocks out gutsy Joe Soto, retains title
Set for his UFC debut, Soto took the fight on 24 hours’ notice, after Dillashaw’s original opponent, former champ Renan Barao, was forced to withdraw because of a fallout from a weight cut.
The odds on paper, then made Dillashaw the heavy favorite to end the fight within a round or two, but Soto upped the ante.
Head movement, combinations, footwork and all other aspects of the striking game were in display as Dillashaw and Soto showcased a fight for the ages.
Dillashaw was the better fighter throughout, though, mainly because of his volume strikes. Soto did well in the counter-striking department, ducking most of Dillashaw’s punches as well, but the champ was pushing the pace and dictating the fight.
He added in a couple of takedowns as the rounds progressed and finally, in the fifth, a head kick landed flush on Soto’s chin and after a few punches for good measure, the former Bellator title-holder crashed onto the canvas.
Dillashaw hence retained his title, once again in impressive fashion.
Full Result: T.J. Dillashaw def. Joe Soto via KO (Head Kick & Punches at 2:20 of Round 5
For full UFC 177 results, click here.
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