Punahele Soriano

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training because I was invited to go work out with Dan Ige. At first I was just going to wrestling once a week, then I eventually started going every day. 

What ranks and titles have you held? State champ wrestler, State champ judoka, All-American wrestler 

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means everything to me. I sacrificed everything to make my dreams come true. 

What fight do you consider to be a key fight in your career? Key fights for me is always the next one. Whatever fight I have lined up is a key fight. In my mind, I’m fighting for my job every fight, I don’t want to get comfortable or complacent. Maybe as far as moments of memories, I always enjoy my fight with Dalcha. I got my first performance bonus and just looking at him, he is a specimen. On optics alone, I can’t believe I beat such a scary human. 

Who is your favorite fighter and why? Before I even started training, I was always a huge fan of BJ, Max, Robbie Lawler, and Wonderboy. But asking me now, I’d probably say Dan Ige. Seeing him rise and thrive is really inspiring. Never in an easy fight. And never giving anything less than his best effort. We grew up together and I know how far he’s come. Someone I look up to in and out of the cage.

Do you have any heroes outside of fighting? As far as heroes, I’d say my wife, my brother, and my coaches (Nate Petit, Eric Nicksick, and Maki Pitolo). My wife has always been strong, courageous, kind, and thoughtful. But after having our first kid, I feel like everything I love her for is multiplied 100 times. I’m gone training all day, and she looks after our child along with three dogs with a smile on her face. I know it’s never as easy as she makes it look, but without her I wouldn’t be where I am today. 

Mt brother is an amazing father of 4, who does whatever it takes to better the lives of his family. Up early working long hours, straight to his kids’ sports. Despite any adversity him and his family face, he is always finding a way to get the job done. 

My coaches can be summed up in one word: selfless. All three of them are constantly helping others, pushing people to new levels, and always making sure people are being taken care of. 

Seeing the hard work that all my heroes put in is really motivating and makes me wanna be the best version of myself. 

Ranks in any martial arts styles: Brown belt in judo 

Favorite grappling technique: Twister 

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? Wartburg College - I have a degree in fitness management 

What was your job before you started fighting? Before fighting, I was a part-time teacher / bouncer. 

Is there a cause that you want to use your platform for? Making God known. Glorifying God. If I can bring even one person closer to God because of my platform, it’s a win. 

Beyond a championship and money, what motivates you? Freedom and bettering the people’s lives around me. The freedom that fighting and the UFC has given me is one of my favorite things. I worked a bunch of jobs before, always being on someone else’s time. Having to report somewhere at a certain time, having to act a certain way, was never fun to me. On top of that, I was still broke. Now I make my own schedule. I’m able to treat my family to plenty much whatever we want, we are very fortunate. And bettering the people around me. I’m able to help my friends and family financially or lend my time to helping others without worry. At UFC events when I’m able to speak with people there and just answer questions, I see how happy these people are, and that makes me happy.

Tell us about your life outside of fighting: My family is my world. My wife Aarica, daughter Sylvie, and three dogs Ari, Finley, and Diesel. I look forward to coming home to them every day after training. Even being exhausted and having nothing left in my battery, I come home and look to do something with them. Aside from that, I’m a huge comedy fan. I love standup comedy and funny podcasts. I watch Kill Tony every week, I’m a big fan of the “This is Important Podcast” laughing and making people laugh are some of my favorite things.