LAS VEGAS – Nick Maximov is taking big steps in his young MMA career.

The 24-year-old picked up his second UFC wini since earning a contract at Dana White’s Contender Series at UFC Fight Night 200 on Saturday. Maximov (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) kept his unbeaten record by edging out Punahele Soriano with a split decision in the co-main event.

It was Maximov’s first UFC co-main event in just his second official fight with the promotion. But despite the big stage, he said there was no pressure or nerves.

“No nerves at all,” Maximov told reporters at the UFC Fight Night 200 post-fight news conference. “We really train for this all the time. We spar all the time. We do big events all the time, and they really help me a lot just to prepare for this.

“I was actually really comfortable. I was enjoying the moment.”

Maximov had a tough, gritty back-and-forth fight against Soriano. Although Maximov was mainly on the attack, Soriano proved to be tough and resilient, always looking to get the edge and do damage on the feet.

Maximov said he expected more from Soriano and attributed his high expectations to training with Nick and Nate Diaz.

“He felt good, but I was expecting a little bit more,” Maximov said. “I just train with killers all the time. I just always expect people to be where Nate or Nick, Lucas (Gamaza), all those guys (are at). They’re all killers.”