Fighting in his home state, Iuri Alcantara (36-9 MMA, 10-6 UFC) picked up a much-needed victory with a quick finish of Joe Soto (18-7 MMA, 3-5 UFC).

The bantamweight bout was part of the preliminary card of today’s UFC Fight Night 125 event at Mangueirinho Gymnasium in Belem, Para, Brazil. It aired on FS2 following an additional prelim on UFC Fight Pass and ahead of a main card on FS1.

Alcantara was sharp early, pressing forward and scoring with strikes, including a big kick to the body. Soto tried to settle in and fire back, but Alcantara continued to land clean, visibly stunning his foe with the work to the torso.

Soto tried to hide his condition, but Alcantara sensed the opportunity and unloaded a non-stop barrage of punches and elbows on the feet. A dazed Soto crashed to the floor and appeared to be done, but referee Osiris Maia was slow to interrupt. Alcantara ensured there was no doubt, continuing the onslaught until the fight was mercifully called to a halt 66 seconds after it began.

“I am extremely happy,” Alcantara said after the win. “I fought at home, in my backyard almost. The energy here was incredible, I cannot even explain what I’m feeling right now. I came from two defeats, and I knew I need the win.

“I came focused on finishing the fight in the first round. I knew it would not be long because of his size. I am learning to be a smarter and more strategic fighter now. That’s what I want to do from now on.”

Alcantara snaps a two-fight losing streak with the impressive result, while Soto has now dropped back-to-back contests in a combined 96 seconds.

Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 125 results include:

• Iuri Alcantara def. Joe Soto via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:06
• Deiveson Figueiredo def. Joseph Morales via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:34

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 125, check out the UFC Events section of the site.