Sodiq Yusuff loses to Edson Barboza: Nigerian UFC punished in Fight of the Year contender

The judges awarded Edson Barboza a unanimous decision victory over Sodiq Yusuff (49-46, 48-46, 48-46) following the fight. X/UFC

Sodiq Yusuff loses to Edson Barboza: Nigerian UFC punished in Fight of the Year contender

Tosin Abayomi 07:50 - 15.10.2023

Nigerian UFC star Sodiq Yusuff loses to Edson Barboza in Fight of the Year contender.

A featherweight match between Nigeria's Sodiq Yusuff and Edson Barboza was the main event of the UFC's Fight Night event held at the Apex Facility in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Yusuff, who has amassed a record of 6-1 since making his UFC debut in 2018 and was hoping to return to winning ways against Barboza in the main event.

Sodiq Yusuff loses to Edson Barboza

Barboza was struck by a strong right hand from Yusuff as soon as they started fighting.

Yusuff is a huge Featherweight, one of the stronger men in the UFC division. - UFC
Yusuff is a huge Featherweight, one of the stronger men in the UFC division. - UFC

Although Yusuff was unrelenting and rocked Barboza repeatedly as he advanced, Barboza tried his best to stay in the fight by hitting back with force but was seriously injured.

Barboza was in danger of losing numerous times in this fight, but he managed to clinch with Yusuff.

Barboza was forced to the ground by Yusuff, who then began using strong ground-and-pound attacks to try and end the fight.

Through seven fights, Yusuff has only suffered one defeat, which was in April 2021 against Arnold Allen, who is rated eighth.
Through seven fights, Yusuff has only suffered one defeat, which was in April 2021 against Arnold Allen, who is rated eighth.

Barboza attempted two leg locks, but Yusuff escaped them and held the lead for the duration of the lopsided round.

In the second round, Barboza launched himself forward in an effort to gain ground.

Sodiq Yusuff felt as though his chances of winning the featherweight division just faded but now has a chance against Edson Barboza - Instagram/UFC
Sodiq Yusuff felt as though his chances of winning the featherweight division just faded but now has a chance against Edson Barboza - Instagram/UFC

Compared to the first round, this one was much closer, and Barboza's late, precise attack on Yusuff's body was key.

In the third round, Barboza kept going after the body, but Yusuff countered with the same offensive pressure that had worked so well in the first.

Barboza attempted two leg locks, but Yusuff escaped them and held the lead for the duration of the lopsided round. - X/UFC
Barboza attempted two leg locks, but Yusuff escaped them and held the lead for the duration of the lopsided round. - X/UFC

Barboza was the one who outlanded Yusuff and brutally beat Yusuff's body.

In the last seconds of the third round, Barboza dropped Yusuff with a spinning head kick, knocking him to the canvas where he attempted to finish the fight with ground and pound.

Barboza landed a spinning back kick to Yusuff's torso to start the fourth round.

Before the clock ran out, Barboza knocked Yusuff to the ground twice more, but he was unable to inflict much harm. X/UFC
Before the clock ran out, Barboza knocked Yusuff to the ground twice more, but he was unable to inflict much harm. X/UFC

Yusuff attempted to take down Barboza, but the move was blocked, and Barboza struck him with a second powerful body kick.

Barboza delivered a powerful flurry of blows to conclude the fourth round, and both fighters were severely hurt going into the fifth.

In the opening seconds of the fifth round, Barboza threw a flurry of strong punches before connecting with a spinning back kick to the body.

Barboza landed a spinning back kick to Yusuff's torso to start the fourth round. X/UFC
Barboza landed a spinning back kick to Yusuff's torso to start the fourth round. X/UFC

With just under two minutes left, Barboza got a takedown, but Yusuff was able to get back up.

Before the clock ran out, Barboza knocked Yusuff to the ground twice more, but he was unable to inflict much harm.

The judges awarded Barboza a unanimous decision victory over Yusuff (49-46, 48-46, 48-46) following the fight.

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