Punahele Soriano gets the first TKO of 2021 with win over Dusko Todorovic

Punahele Soriano had no problem showcasing his power in his fight with Dusko Todorovic. Soriano dropped Todorovic several times throughout the first round before the fight was stopped. That TKO goes down as the first of 2021.

Fight Preview

The UFC first event of the new year will make history on “Fight Island” today, Saturday, Jan. 16.

A battle between the former featherweight king Max Holloway and rising contender Calvin Kattar serves as the headliner of UFC on ABC 1. It is the promotion’s first card to air on the ABC network.

The co-main event features a contest between two long-time UFC welterweights as Carlos Condit faces Matt Brown.

A middleweight bout between Punahele Soriano and Dusko Todorovic will kickoff the main card when a battle of unbeaten fighters with similar resumes square off.

Soriano (7-0) made his UFC debut at UFC 245 in December 2019 after earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series. He made quick work of Oskar Piechota in his lone UFC contest as he finished Piechota in the first round. Soriano has only gone the distance once in his professional career.

Todorovic (10-0) is also an alum of Dana White’s Contender Series as he earned a UFC contract in the summer of 2019. After earning the contract, Todorovic made his octagon in October where he defeated Dequan Townsend by a second-round TKO. He has also only went the distance once in his professional career.

Here’s how their fight went down with a round-by-round breakdown and scoring. For a full list of UFC on ABC 1 results, click here.

Fight Breakdown

Round 1

Todorovic comes right out with a straight leg kick to Soriano’s body and Soriano throws a heavy combo back in return.

The two engage trading shots with both men landing as opening minute comes to a close.

Soriano lands a bomb about 30 seconds later and it knocks Todorovic’s mouthpiece loose for a second. Todorovic immediately grabs ahold of Soriano and clinches to recover.

The two return to the center of the octagon and both men are staying patience.

Soriano comes forward and he is throwing bombs. One shot lands to the ribs, but Todorovic isn’t hurt by it.

A few seconds later Soriano lands a huge shot and it sends Todorovic flying down to the canvas. Todorovic gets up and the next shot he takes sends him down again.

Todorovic gets back to his feet but he’s on weak legs. Another heavy punch lands and this time the mouthpiece is completely out of Todorovic’s mouth.

Referee Herb Dean stops the fight to put Todorovic’s mouthpiece back into his mouth. As the action stops, blood is coming from Todorovic’s face.

As soon as the action resumes, Sorinao lands again and once again it drops Todorovic and Dean jumps into wave off the fight in the final seconds of the opening round.

Official Result: Punahele Soriano and Dusko Todorovic by TKO – Round 1 (4:48)

PUNA!!! 🤯

That’s how you start the main card!

[ #UFCFightIsland7 continues on @ABCNetwork & #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/Hh1wbStskd
— UFC (@ufc) January 16, 2021