Fresh off an early August win on the regional circuit that pushed his winning streak to six, the 28-year-old California native inked a contract to share the cage with fellow newcomer Anthony Birchak at UFC 177 at the end of the month. After years of effort trying to make his way to the sport’s biggest stage, the three-week turnaround was an opportunity to finally step into the UFC Octagon and a chance to cross a long-term career goal off the old bucket list for Soto.
“I just didn’t want to die and have never made it to the UFC,” Soto, who compiled a 15-2 record prior to making his UFC debut last summer, admits.