Puna come up short against Brendan Allen dropping his perfect record

Brendan Allen vs. Puna Soriano

Round 1 – Allen fakes a kick, and Soriano sees him pull it back and fires one of his own. Big punches from Soriano early, but Allen covers well against the cage and then slips away. Left scores for Soriano. Another lands, and Soriano slips away before it’s countered. Soriano with a few kicks to the body, as well. Allen counters with a few crisp jabs. Allen trying to walk forward, but Soriano answers with powerful hooks that force him to back away. Soriano throwing with big power shots. Allen answering with crisp jabs. He fires a knee up the middle, as well. Soriano with a kick to the body, but Allen answers with a slapping low kick. Allen with the clean punches up the middle. He’s starting to dig in a little and trade. Soriano lands a few more big left hands. He walks into a knee, but he walks through it. Allen briefly grabs the neck, but Soriano able to battle through that and pull away, where he lands another big left hand. Allen with two crisp punches, walking through those big punches to trade, and he fires a knee maybe just after the bell. MMA Junkie gives the first to Soriano, 10-9.

Round 2 – Allen with a few big kicks to the body. Soriano misses over the top and has to cartwheel to stay on his feet. Allen with a sharp low kick. He’s moving well. Another big kick to the body. Knee lands. Soriano appears hurt, and Allen tries to capitalize but eats a left hand. Allen tries to shoot, but Soriano sprawls well. Soriano slowing a little. He drives a big left to the body. Allen again with the big kick to the body, and the left side of Soriano’s torso is bright red. Soriano with a flurry of punches, but Allen walks through it and moves back to the middle. Another Soriano left to the body. Allen again with a big kick to the body. That one hurt, and Soriano pauses for a moment. His right eye is busted up a bit, as well. Soriano catches a kick and gets Allen off-balance but can’t push forward to capitalize. He misses a big leaping punch. Kicks traded, and Allen lands to the groin, but Soriano says he’s OK. Soriano blocks a knee and lands two punches in reply. Allen again to the body with a big kick before the bell. MMA Junkie gives it to Allen, 10-9.

Round 3 – Soriano blocks a kick and fires a straight right. Allen working the jab well. Knee scores inside. Big left for Soriano. Body kick for Allen, and Soriano answers with two big punches that land. Allen shows nothing. His chin is impeccable. Allen still working he body with those big kicks. Uppercut scores for Allen. Soriano trying to load up on big punches, and he’s finding the mark, but Allen just walking through it and throwing back with combinations. Allen digs the body. Jab scores. Allen clearly the fresher fighter, and he’s boxing well. One minute left, and Soriano’s corner calls for volume. he unleashes a few big punches, but he’s too tired to keep it going. Allen again to the body with a big kick. Allen just keeps busy with crisp punches and a kick. They trade shots until the end. Fun one there. MMA Junkie gives the final round to Allen, 10-9, and awards him the fight 29-28.

BetMGM Odds: Soriano -115, Allen -105
Result: Brendan Allen def. Punahele Soriano via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 27: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Brendan Allen (17-4 MMA, 5-1 UFC), Puna Soriano (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
Judging: Dave Hagen (30-27), Junichiro Kamijo (30-27), Chris Lee (29-28, giving Allen rounds 2 and 3)

Mahalo MMA Junkie for the write up!!