Welterweights ramiz brahimaj and Punahele Soriano collide on the prelims at UFC Fight Night in Houston on February 21, 2026, with the cardboard listed to start at 5: 00 p. m. ET and stroll time for the bout proven at about 6: 25 p. m. ET. The matchup issues as a result of each fighters arrive on momentum runs and the consequence might affect who pushes towards a top-15 push within the division.
Ramiz Brahimaj’s camp and current type
Ramiz Brahimaj has shifted his coaching base to a brand new camp in Chicago and that camp change is linked to quick efficiency features. Since the transfer he has recorded a three-fight ending streak and collected a number of post-fight efficiency bonuses. The change is credited with enhancing his outlook on coaching and competitors, and his UFC wins in current outings have come by stoppage quite than choices.
Tale of the tape and betting angles
The matchup papered as a close to choose’em lists Brahimaj at -120 and Soriano at +100 on present strains, with a really useful finest guess of Brahimaj by submission at +175 and a Soriano KO/TKO prop obtainable at +340. Official odds had been up to date on February 20, 2026 at 2: 30 a. m. ET and could transfer earlier than struggle evening.
Key measurable variations: Brahimaj carries an elite submission profile with 2. 0 submission makes an attempt per struggle and a mean takedown charge that creates a constant grappling risk. Soriano presents superior putting quantity and accuracy however has successfully zero profession submission wins and a a lot decrease submission try charge (0. 1 per struggle). Both fighters soak up about 3. 42 strikes per minute, making a dynamic the place both putting or grappling dominance might determine the bout.
Records and tendencies listed forward of the struggle: Brahimaj is 13-5 with consecutive finishes on his ledger; Soriano is 12-4 and arrives on a three-fight win streak with a number of KO/TKO victories in his profession. Stat strains present Soriano with stronger takedown accuracy figures and a historical past of heavy floor strike output in not less than one high-volume bout, whereas Brahimaj’s submission frequency and takedown work are his clearest paths to victory.
What to count on and ahead look
Stylistically, the struggle presents a traditional striker-versus-grappler pressure: if Brahimaj can convert takedowns and maintain high management he affords a excessive chance of discovering a submission given his 2. 0 attempts-per-fight charge and current ending type. If Soriano retains the struggle upright and leverages superior putting quantity and accuracy, the knockout path is his clearest route, supported by a number of profession KO/TKO wins and stable takedown accuracy to create putting alternatives.
Outcomes right here carry quick implications. A Brahimaj victory by end would reinforce his case for getting into higher-ranked opponents, extending a three-fight ending streak and underlining the payoff from his camp change. A Soriano win, significantly by stoppage, would validate his momentum at 170 kilos and emphasize the sturdiness of his putting plan towards a high-submission opponent. Because each fighters are in the identical age band and driving current runs, the matchup features as a possible turning level for both profession trajectory.
Broadcast listings present the bout scheduled for the prelims with U. S. viewers directed to nontraditional viewing choices for the prelim card; presentation particulars range and might change earlier than struggle evening. Odds and props stay fluid within the remaining lead-up after weigh-ins and any late changes.
Key takeaways
- Fight date and time: February 21, 2026 — prelims start 5: 00 p. m. ET; stroll time ~6: 25 p. m. ET.
- Odds: Brahimaj -120, Soriano +100; notable props embrace Brahimaj by submission (+175) and Soriano KO/TKO (+340).
- Deciding components: Brahimaj’s submission quantity vs Soriano’s putting quantity and accuracy.
