Punahele Soriano passed the first serious test of his mixed martial arts career, and he was rewarded for his efforts.
The Xtreme Couture middleweight on Tuesday remained unbeaten and laid claim to a unanimous verdict over Jamie Pickett, as Dana White’s Contender Series kicked off its third season at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. All three judges cast scorecards for Soriano (6-0): 30-27, 30-27 and 30-26. Afterward, the Hawaiian received an Ultimate Fighting Championship contract.
Pickett (7-4) had his moments, but they were too few and far between to matter.