Tachi Palace Fights Champ Joe Soto Receives UFC Call, Fights Anthony Birchak at UFC 177

Days after his latest title defense, Joe Soto is UFC-bound. | Photo: Jeff Sherwood/Sherdog.com

UFC officials Tuesday announced that Soto will face Anthony Birchak at UFC 177. The event takes place Aug. 30 at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, Calif., and is headlined by a bantamweight title rematch between T.J. Dillashaw and Renan Barao. Flyweight titlist Demetrious Johnson will also defend his belt against Chris Cariaso in the evening’s co-main event.

Following Soto’s sixth consecutive stoppage win, “One Bad Mofo” took the house microphone in Lemoore, Calif., and put the mixed martial arts world on notice.

“I am trying to get in [the UFC]. I’m knocking,” Soto said in a post-fight interview. “I’m finishing everybody. I want to go to the big show. I am tired of fighting here. I don’t know what I have to do to get that call.”

Apparently his win at TPF 20 was enough, as the former Bellator MMA fighter will make his promotional debut against another fighter getting his first shot in the UFC.

Birchak was scheduled to fight Jesse Brock at MFC 41 in October but was released from his contract with the Canadian promotion due to visa issues. Birchak holds a win over current UFC fighter Ryan Benoit and will step inside the Octagon riding a five-fight win streak.