Sodiq Yusuff, a ranked featherweight contender, recently faced off against veteran Edson Barboza in the main event of UFC Fight Night 230. Yusuff, much like the current UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, is an alumnus of Dana White’s Contender Series.
Although his bout against Barboza did not go his way, he still is ranked in the division where Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski reigns supreme. As of now, Yusuff sports a UFC record of 6-2 with losses coming against fellow ranked fighters Arnold Allen and Barboza.
Sodiq Yusuff loss to Edson Barboza at UFC Fight Night 230
Edson Barboza mounted one of the comebacks of the ages as he recovered from a disastrous first round to ultimately emerge victorious after 5 rounds over Sodiq Yusuff. The bout headlined UFC Fight Night 230. Yusuff who won 10-8 on two judges’ scorecards in the first round was primed for victory but Barboza had other plans. Barboza won by a score of 49-46 and 48-46×2.
The bout began with Yusuff aggressively pressing the veteran Barboza. “Super” hurt “Junior” with a straight right-left hook combo and continued to pile up on him. Barboza eventually went down and somehow survived with submission attempts. The second round was fairly competitive with Barboza targeting the body of Yusuff.
Barboza found the most success in the third round when he dropped Yusuff with his signature spinning wheel kick. Yusuff survived the round, but Barboza applied pressure with body shots and headshots in the championship rounds, ultimately securing the victory. At the end of the bout, the commentators were leaning towards a draw, but they were surprised when Barboza was awarded a unanimous decision.
The bout was billed as a fight between the old guard and the new guard. Barboza, the then 13-ranked featherweight is a 13-year-old veteran of the UFC. Meanwhile, Yusuff, ranked 11, is only 5 years into his UFC career. The fight was entertaining and rightfully earned the Fight of the Night Bonus. It was Yusuff’s first Fight of the Night Bonus and Barboza’s 9th, which is a UFC record. Dustin Poirier and Nate Diaz tied for second with 8.
What’s next for Sodiq Yusuff?
For Sodiq Yusuff, the night had its ups and downs. At 30, this main event offered both a significant opportunity and an important learning experience. Undoubtedly, his talent shone through, but the encounter with Barboza highlighted areas for growth. The 37-year-old Barboza primarily relied on his octagon experience to survive and ultimately secure the victory.
Speculation now surrounds Yusuff’s next bout, with Dan Ige being the favored contender. Both fighters have a penchant for aggressive combat, setting the stage for an exciting matchup. Following Ige’s loss to Bryce Mitchell, he’s eager for redemption. Conversely, Yusuff seeks recovery, and a showdown appears to be on the horizon.
Ige had his two-fight win streak snapped against Bryce Mitchell at UFC Fight Night 228. Moreover, Ige holds a controversial victory over Edson Barboza. With a similar fan-friendly style, Ige offers Yusuff a second chance at a performance of the night bonus.
Who do you think is the best opponent for Sodiq Yusuff next? And also for Edson Barboza? Comment below!
