Warren Stops Soto in Dramatic Bellator Bantamweight Title Fight

Added on Sep 03, 2010 by Bill Jackson in

UFC & MMA

In what most considered the first legitimate Bellator title fight in the promotion’s short history, Olympian Joe Warren challenged champion Joe Soto for his bantamweight title at Bellator 27.

The fight looked to be a mismatch in the opening frame as Soto couldn’t help but land basically every punch he threw at Warren. He had the challenger stunned numerous times throughout the round and it looked like a matter of time until it was going to be over. Warren certainly proved his heart and chin by surviving past the first five minutes.

Just seconds after coming out for the second round, Warren rocked the champ with a right hand to the ear and dropped him to the ground. Warren swarmed his man with hammer fists on the ground, and after Soto pulled himself back to his feet, Warren stunned him again with a knee and left hook that finished off Soto. Warren was now the champ.

It was a tremendous come from behind victory and proved Warren’s mettle, along with his punching power.

Warren first put himself on the MMA map by upsetting the great “Kid” Yamamoto at Dream 9. He then won the Bellator bantamweight tournament earlier this year. He now plans to take some time off of MMA and make a run at the 2012 Olympic team.

Soto is still young at 23-years old, and clearly has plenty of skill. This will be a valuable lesson to use throughout his career.