Joe Soto Discusses Earning His First UFC Win at UFC Fight Night 89

Speaking to reporters in a post-fight media scrum after UFC Fight Night 89 (via MMAjunkie), bantamweight fighter Joe Soto discussed his third round submission victory over Chris Beal on the fight card. Below are some highlights.

Soto on going 0-3 in the UFC: “When I first signed with the UFC, I went, ‘What if I go 0-3, what if I can’t hang with those guys?’ And my worst fear came true. I went 0-3. But they gave me one more chance, and I took advantage of that. I just wanted to take the win to my hometown for the kids to see it. They’ve seen me lose on TV before and I just wanted to show them that I could win. I lost three times. It would have been easy for me to retire, to quit. I’ve been the champion (at Tachi Palace Fights), I fought for the title (against then-UFC champion T.J. Dillashaw). Could’ve been easy to say, ‘I’ve been knocked out twice in the UFC.’ Could’ve been easy to quit. But I just wanted to show that if you give yourself opportunities, if you believe in yourself and keep fighting, maybe eventually you can capture your dream. And my dream was just to win one fight.”

Soto on being nervous: “I was nervous the whole fight. A hundred things go through your mind. I could see my dreams of winning a UFC fight slipping away. Time’s winding down. I’m getting beat up. The guy’s faster than me. That guy’s stronger than me. I just kept fighting. And I gave myself a chance, try to keep believing in myself, keep taking shots, thinking maybe if I can get his back, maybe I can finish the fight. And eventually I did that.”

Soto on enjoying the win: “I want to go home and enjoy getting a victory. It’s been a long time. I’ve felt like a loser for a long time. Now I feel like a winner.”