Soriano Embraces Fear as Fuel Ahead of UFC Fight Against Stoltzfus

Punahele Soriano is channeling his anxiety into motivation as he prepares to face Dustin Stoltzfus at UFC on ESPN 52. Soriano openly admits to being intimidated by his opponents, a feeling he believes ultimately elevates his performance.

A Respectful Exchange Turned Octagon Matchup

The matchup originated from a backstage encounter at a previous event. Soriano recounted a brief conversation with Stoltzfus, expressing admiration for his fighting style without realizing they would eventually compete against each other. “We were both on the same card last time, and we were backstage at the Ceremonial Weigh-ins, and I tapped his shoulder and was like, ‘Dude, I really like the way you fight! I experience you’re a beast,’” Soriano said, adding he had “no clue we’d be fighting.”

Fear as a Catalyst for Improvement

Soriano believes facing formidable opponents brings out the best in him. “I feel like when I fight the scary guys like this, it brings the best outta me,” he stated. He confessed to feeling apprehensive about Stoltzfus throughout his training camp, but views this fear as a positive driving force. “I’ve been afraid of him all camp, and it’s just driven me to a new level.”

Finding the Right Mindset

The fighter acknowledges the challenge of consistently summoning this anxious energy. “I’m still trying to figure that out,” Soriano admitted, reflecting on his past experiences. He draws parallels to his wrestling career, where he instinctively adjusted his approach based on his opponent’s skill level. “Even when it came to my wrestling career in college, I either wrestled down or up to the level (of my competition). I don’t realize why, but it would happen.”

Stoltzfus’s Finishing Rate

Soriano is preparing to face an opponent who carries a 100-percent finishing rate into Saturday’s contest, adding another layer of intensity to the upcoming bout.

The ceremonial weigh-ins for UFC on ESPN 52, featuring Soriano vs. Stoltzfus, were held in preparation for the event. Photos from the weigh-ins are available on MMA Junkie.

UFC 320 ceremonial weigh-ins also took place on October 3, 2025, in Las Vegas, featuring several other fighters. View photos from UFC 320 weigh-ins on MMA Junkie.