Welterweights ramiz brahimaj and Punahele Soriano collide on the prelims at UFC Fight Night in Houston on February 21, 2026, with the card listed to begin at 5: 00 p. m. ET and walk time for the bout shown at about 6: 25 p. m. ET. The matchup matters because both fighters arrive on momentum runs and the result could influence who pushes toward a top-15 push in the division.
Ramiz Brahimaj’s camp and recent form
Ramiz Brahimaj has shifted his training base to a new camp in Chicago and that camp change is linked to immediate performance gains. Since the move he has recorded a three-fight finishing streak and collected multiple post-fight performance bonuses. The change is credited with improving his outlook on training and competition, and his UFC wins in recent outings have come by stoppage rather than decisions.
Tale of the tape and betting angles
The matchup papered as a near pick’em lists Brahimaj at -120 and Soriano at +100 on current lines, with a recommended best bet of Brahimaj by submission at +175 and a Soriano KO/TKO prop available at +340. Official odds were updated on February 20, 2026 at 2: 30 a. m. ET and may move before fight night.
Key measurable differences: Brahimaj carries an elite submission profile with 2. 0 submission attempts per fight and an average takedown rate that creates a consistent grappling threat. Soriano presents superior striking volume and accuracy but has effectively zero career submission wins and a much lower submission attempt rate (0. 1 per fight). Both fighters absorb about 3. 42 strikes per minute, creating a dynamic where either striking or grappling dominance could decide the bout.
Records and tendencies listed ahead of the fight: Brahimaj is 13-5 with consecutive finishes on his ledger; Soriano is 12-4 and arrives on a three-fight win streak with multiple KO/TKO victories in his career. Stat lines show Soriano with stronger takedown accuracy figures and a history of heavy ground strike output in at least one high-volume bout, while Brahimaj’s submission frequency and takedown work are his clearest paths to victory.
What to expect and forward look
Stylistically, the fight presents a classic striker-versus-grappler tension: if Brahimaj can convert takedowns and sustain top control he offers a high likelihood of finding a submission given his 2. 0 attempts-per-fight rate and recent finishing form. If Soriano keeps the fight upright and leverages superior striking volume and accuracy, the knockout path is his clearest route, supported by multiple career KO/TKO wins and solid takedown accuracy to create striking opportunities.
Outcomes here carry immediate implications. A Brahimaj victory by finish would reinforce his case for stepping into higher-ranked opponents, extending a three-fight finishing streak and underlining the payoff from his camp change. A Soriano win, particularly by stoppage, would validate his momentum at 170 pounds and emphasize the durability of his striking plan against a high-submission opponent. Because both fighters are in the same age band and riding recent runs, the matchup functions as a potential turning point for either career trajectory.
Broadcast listings show the bout scheduled for the prelims with U. S. viewers directed to nontraditional viewing options for the prelim card; presentation details vary and could change before fight night. Odds and props remain fluid in the final lead-up after weigh-ins and any late adjustments.
Key takeaways
- Fight date and time: February 21, 2026 — prelims begin 5: 00 p. m. ET; walk time ~6: 25 p. m. ET.
- Odds: Brahimaj -120, Soriano +100; notable props include Brahimaj by submission (+175) and Soriano KO/TKO (+340).
- Deciding factors: Brahimaj’s submission volume vs Soriano’s striking volume and accuracy.
