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FRESNO, Calif. – Andre Soukhamthath wasn’t going to give up his UFC roster spot easily, and he ensured at least one more octagon appearance with a crucial victory on Saturday at UFC Fight Night 123.

Soukhamthath’s (12-5 MMA, 1-2 UFC) UFC start was a nightmare scenario. He lost back-to-back split decisions in fights that could have easily gone his direction. He admitted he feared a release was just around the corner, but then opportunity came knocking.

Less than two weeks out from UFC Fight Night 123, which took place at Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif., and airs on FS1 following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass, Bryan Caraway suffered an injury, and Soukhamthath was slid in as the short-notice replacement against Luke Sanders (11-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC).

Although Soukhamthath was a sizable underdog, he found a way to get the win by second-round TKO over a 3-1 favorite.

“I took this fight on two weeks’ notice, and I knew he had a full camp,” Soukhamthath told MMAjunkie post-fight. “Me and my coaches knew he was planning on coming out hard, and he did. But I know how tough I am and how good my chin is and how good my wrestling defense is. I just weathered the storm, and I literally put all my energy into one punch, and it worked.”

Soukhamthath said he’s “extremely blessed” to get a third UFC showing after the disappointment of his first two. Split-decision losses to Alejandro Perez and Albert Morales as UFC Fight Night 114 and UFC 209 should have gone his way, but that wasn’t the case, he said.

Soukhamthath easily could have sat around and prayed the UFC gave him a third shot, perhaps in a favorable matchup, but instead he decided to take control of his own fate. He jumped at the chance to fight on short notice and said there was no one who could prevent him from achieving his goal.

Now that he’s in the UFC win column, Soukhamthath said he wants to keep the balling rolling. UFC fight cards are full for the next months, but if Soukhamthath can get booked quickly, or another replacement opportunity comes up, he said he would be all over it.

“The past is the past,” he said. “I saw an opportunity to take this fight on short notice. I would rather take matters into my own hands. Rather than (having UFC matchmaker) Sean Shelby and the UFC cutting me after two losses, I took this opportunity and saved myself. I think I did that. I think I saved my job.”

“I already missed Thanksgiving,” Soukhamthath added. “I’ll miss Christmas and New Year’s, too. Put me in there in January. I’m in.”

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 123, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

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