Joe Soto finally appears to have some job security.
The former Bellator MMA and Tachi Palace Fights champion posted his third straight victory under the Ultimate Fighting Championship flag, as he captured a unanimous decision from Rani Yahya at UFC Fight Night “Belfort vs. Gastelum” on Saturday in Fortaleza, Brazil. That he swept the scorecards with 29-28, 29-27 and 29-27 marks from the judges as an underdog -- he was listed at +190, according to BetDSI.com -- made it even sweeter.
Yahya (-235) was hyperactive with his standup, and though he dictated the majority of the action in Round 1 with knees, punches and kicks, his overzealous output proved too great a burden for the 2007 Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships gold medalist to carry.