Many anticipated Roberto Soldic to secure a significant knockout victory in his first UFC fight, given his long-standing reputation as one of the most formidable strikers outside the organization.
On Saturday at UFC 332 in Salt Lake City, Soldic (22-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC) made his octagon debut by defeating seasoned competitor Khaos Williams (16-6 MMA, 7-5 UFC) on the main card. Although Soldic faced a rough start after being dropped in the first round, he rallied back strongly to dominate Williams across the next two rounds. While he came close to finishing the fight on a few occasions, the bout ultimately went to a decision.
“I didn’t rush,” Soldic remarked during the UFC 332 post-fight press conference. “I focused on securing the win. I don’t feel the need to prove I have to knock someone out—I just need to win and showcase my skills.”
Soldic believes many people underestimated Williams, pointing out the veteran’s extensive experience. The former KSW champion acknowledged the challenge was greater than the public assumed.
“He’s a very experienced fighter,” Soldic explained. “He had a record of 16-5 before, totaling 21 fights, and with amateurs, that’s 33 fights. He’s competed 11 times in the UFC with a 7-4 record. You might face fighters who fought one or two UFC bouts, but he had 11. He’s familiar with the cage, the crowd, and the atmosphere. For me, everything was new—I came here as a guest.”
Despite not securing a finish, Soldic expressed satisfaction with his UFC debut and was not disappointed.
“It was a solid fight against a tough opponent,” he said. “I took him seriously. He absorbed all my punches. I showcased my wrestling too, landed crazy high kicks, ground and pound, left and right hooks. It was a valuable experience. I hadn’t fought in a year and a half. This three-round fight means a lot because I proved I have the endurance for five rounds—I never got tired and kept pressing forward. He caught me a couple of times early with hard punches, and there’s a reason he’s known as a one-punch knockout artist. I’m moving on to the next fight now. We’ll see what’s next.”
This article was originally published on MMA Junkie: Roberto Soldic happy with decision win in UFC debut: ‘Good experience’
Fan Take: Roberto Soldic’s solid UFC debut signals the arrival of a highly skilled striker ready to make waves in the welterweight division. His ability to withstand adversity and showcase diverse skills in his first fight hints at exciting matchups ahead, offering fans a new contender to watch closely.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
