UFC on ABC 3 Prelims: Soriano Halts Two-Fight Skid, Knocks Out Lungiambula

Another look at that @Puna185 finish 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨 #UFCLongIsland pic.twitter.com/QokMqaZXZR

— UFC (@ufc) July 16, 2022

Punahele Soriano showed how quickly he can alter the course of a fight.

After a slow opening round, the heavy-handed Hawaiian exploded for a second-round stoppage of Dalcha Lungiambula in their middleweight bout at UFC on ABC 3 at UBS Elmont Arena in Elmont, New York, on Saturday afternoon. Soriano (9-2, 3-2 UFC) dropped his foe to a knee with an overhand left and then powered Lungiambula (11-5, 2-4 UFC) to the canvas to finish the fight with a series of unanswered shots to the head just 28 seconds into the second stanza.

Lungiambula started well enough, notably landing a hard leg kick that tripped Soriano to the canvas while also securing a pair of takedowns late in the opening period. That success was short lived, as Soriano rushed forward following a Lungiambula kick early in Round 2 to land the punch that set the stage for the fight-ending sequence.

Soriano snapped a two-bout losing streak in victory, while Lungiambula has dropped three straight.

Simon Hands Shore First Loss

American Top Team Portland export Ricky Simon removed former Cage Warriors Fighting Championship bantamweight champion Jack Shore from the ranks of the undefeated, scoring a second-round submission victory in a 135-pound encounter. Simon (20-3, 8-2 UFC) forced Shore (16-1, 5-1 UFC) to tap with an arm-triangle choke at the 3:28 mark of the period, earning his fifth straight triumph in the process.

Simon kept his opponent off balance by blending striking and grappling throughout the contest. While Shore was able to either defend takedowns or return to his feet in short order, Simon’s relentless approach never allowed him to get going. The tide turned for good when Simon put Shore on skates with a short right hand to the temple in the second round. From there, Simon followed his man to the canvas and briefly took the back before transitioning to the fight-ending maneuver from full mount. Shore asked for mercy in a matter of seconds.

Algeo Rallies, Stops Burns

Former Cage Fury Fighting Championships title holder Bill Algeo survived some precarious moments to rally for a stoppage of Herbert Burns in a featherweight pairing. Referee Keith Peterson waved off the contest at the 1:50 mark of Round 2 when Burns (11-4, 2-2 UFC) was extremely slow to return to his feet during a standup. “Senior Perfecto” has won back-to-back promotional appearances.

Burns appeared to be on the verge of a submission victory when he trapped Algeo (16-6, 3-2 UFC) in a tight triangle choke during a scramble early in the opening stanza. Algeo maintained his composure and once he freed himself from the predicament, battered his opponent with ground-and-pound from above. While Burns survived the barrage, his gas tank was draining rapidly -- as evidenced by a slow walk to his corner between rounds. Algeo quickly assumed top position again in Round 2, and after another volley of offense on the canvas, he decided to make Burns stand. Moments later, Peterson waved off the fight when it became clear that the Brazilian would not be returning to his feet in a timely fashion.

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Jacoby KOs Jung, Wins Fourth Straight

Ex-Glory Kickboxing competitor Dustin Jacoby continued his momentum, knocking out South Korea’s Da Un Jung in a light heavyweight affair. The Factory X representative put Jung (15-3-1, 4-1-1 UFC) away 3:13 into Round 1 for his fourth consecutive triumph in the Octagon. Jacoby is unbeaten in his last nine professional outings overall, a streak that dates back to 2015.

The bout began as a technical striking battle, with neither man gaining a clear advantage in exchanges. That changed suddenly when Jacoby (18-5-1, 6-2-1 UFC) floored his adversary with a straight right hand behind the ear. Jung seemed to regain consciousness as his head hit the canvas, but referee Kevin MacDonald had already seen enough, and the Korean Top Team export was still wobbly when he returned to his feet following the stoppage.

Stoltzfus Garners First UFC Triumph

Dana White’s Contender Series alum Dustin Stoltzfus secured his first Octagon triumph, taking a unanimous verdict against Alliance MMA representative Dwight Grant in a middleweight bout. All three judges scored the contest 29-28 in favor of the Frankers Fight Team representative. Grant (11-6, 3-5 UFC) has lost four of his last five within the Las Vegas-based promotion.

Grant confounded Stoltzfus (14-4, 1-3 UFC) with his movement and awkward counter punching in the early going, but fatigue gradually set in as the fight progressed. While Grant enjoyed success with his left hook and counter right, Stoltzfus was able to eventually close the distance and land takedowns in Rounds 2 and 3 — and that’s where he imposed his will. On the canvas, Stoltzfus advanced to dominant positions and landed ground-and-pound to put a definitive stamp on the fight. It was Grant’s first appearance at 185 pounds in UFC competition.

Ducote Cruises Past Penne

Stinging calf kicks, quick combination punching and stellar takedown defense propelled Emily Ducote to a decisive unanimous verdict against “The Ultimate Fighter 20” cast member Jessica Penne in a strawweight clash. All three judges submitted scorecards in favor of the former Invicta Fighting Championships strawweight title holder: 29-28, 29-28 and 30-27. Ducote (12-6, 1-0 UFC) has won her last four professional outings.

Ducote zeroed in on Penne’s lead leg from the opening bell and by Round 3, her opponent’s movement was hindered significantly. “Gordinha” was quicker to the punch as well, mixing in shots to the head and body while denying all of Penne’s attempts to get the action to the canvas. To her credit, Penne (14-6, 3-4 UFC) stayed in the fight and managed to bloody Ducote’s nose with some stiff right hands. All too often, however, the ex-Invicta atomweight queen was on the defensive against a tactical Ducote.